The overall objective of this project is the conservation of the biodiversity of the dehesa as a sustainable traditional exploitation system in the south of La Serena and more specifically in the Benquerencia valley, Badajoz.

The overall objective of this project is the conservation of the biodiversity of the dehesa as a sustainable traditional exploitation system in the south of La Serena and more specifically in the Benquerencia valley, Badajoz.

The aim is to implement a system of extensive agricultural production of dehesa with the purpose of conserving biodiversity. In this way, the feeding habitat of those birds associated with open pastures, such as the common crane, will be recovered.

The initiative will allow the environmental restoration of the Arroyo de Ballesteros and the creation of ponds, in addition to the improvement of the accesses and equipment for public use of the “Francisco Carbajo” bird observatory.

The specific actions of this project are:

• Sanitation of the trees and reforestation mainly with holm oaks.
• Removal of the invasion scrub, ploughing of the land to avoid damage to the root systems of the trees and sowing of cereal (barley-oats) following the traditional system in the area of 2 leaves (half fallow half sowing).
• Enclosing the land to livestock.
• Minimization of nuisance and disturbances in the area, through adequate planning of the works and environmental surveillance.
• Reforestation of the Arroyo de Ballesteros and creation of 2 ponds in its course.
• Adaptation and improvement of the existing access route to the “Francisco Carbajo” Bird Observatory.
• Refurbishment of the stone-observatory house.
• Signage of all the properties at their main entrances with channelled wood panels.