The Biodiversity Foundation, a public foundation of the Government of Spain, under the Ministry of the Environment, Rural and Marine Affairs, and the Natural Heritage Foundation of Castilla y León have collaborated in different conservation initiatives in the Autonomous Community of Castilla y León.

Thus, since 2006 both entities have been working together on the restoration and enhancement of the lagoons of Cantalejo (Segovia). This initiative has allowed the development of different actions to regulate the hydrological functioning of the Cantalejo lagoon complex and improve the management of its use through the orderly adaptation of public recreational use. Among the actions carried out are the improvements of the lagoon complex, the accesses and the habitat, the adaptations for public use, scientific monitoring and the development of a dissemination and awareness program.

To improve the lagoon complex, the drainage network has been restored, capacity meters have been installed, flow between lagoons has been regulated by means of gates, spillways and gauges, and partial regrowth of the basin.

As for the improvement of accesses, the project has contemplated the improvement of the pavements, for which an adaptation of the existing road network and the opening of new access roads have been carried out. Auxiliary works have also been carried out such as the realization of a water crossing and limitations on road traffic.

Likewise, this initiative has contemplated the enabling of access to the lagoon system by road, the construction of ornithological paths and three parking areas that give access to them; the incorporation of signage for both pedestrians and vehicles with which it is also intended that visitors have extensive information on the natural and tourist values of the area; and the installation of a wooden fence to prevent visitors from accessing the lagoons.

To improve the habitat, both the removal of the existing enclosures and the creation of artificial islands have been carried out in order to provide a quiet refuge to aquatic birds or the partial stripping of the lagoon basin, removing the deposited sludge. Plantations will also be carried out at certain points of the lagoon complex that will be maintained through replacements in the two years following the plantations. In addition, as part of the dissemination and awareness programme, an information leaflet and school materials have been published and a mobile exhibition has been held.

Likewise, within the framework of the Operational Programme “Entrepreneurship and Continuous Training 2000-2006” of the European Social Fund, the Biodiversity Foundation collaborated with the Natural Heritage Foundation of Castilla y León in the project “Sustainability and employment in the natural areas of Castilla y León”.

Within the framework of this initiative, work was done to promote the integration of the principles of sustainable development in existing business activities in natural areas through training and awareness-raising of entrepreneurs and workers, the exchange of good practices and the provision of environmental advice. Specifically, the actions were aimed at improving the training and awareness of workers and entrepreneurs who provide their services in natural spaces to reduce their environmental impacts through new processes, products or services that are more respectful of the environment.

Likewise, emphasis was placed on improving the perception of natural spaces and in particular of the Natura 2000 Network that local promoters have, improving social acceptance of them and minimising problems of rejection. It was also proposed to improve environmental information and sustainability criteria for SMEs. The aim was to promote the exchange of information on good practices to promote sustainable actions in natural areas, as well as to encourage the involvement of SMEs in the programmes of activities in natural areas, and in particular in the involvement in the Quality Mark Natural Areas of Castilla y León.