Today is Biodiversity Day, a date whose purpose is to inform and raise awareness among the world’s population about issues related to biodiversity. The Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and the Environment contributes to the preservation of biological diversity and Spanish natural heritage by collaborating with more than 200 projects a year.

Spain is the country with the most biodiversity in Europe. Our country has more than 85,000 species, more than 50% of the animal species in Europe and 80% of the species of vascular plants. In addition, 30% of the Spanish territory is part of the Natura 2000 Network, a European network for the protection of areas of high ecological value. Thus, the need to promote the conservation and sustainable use of our rich natural heritage, contributing to the generation of employment, wealth and well-being in society as a whole, is the objective with which the Biodiversity Foundation works, participating and coordinating various initiatives in collaboration with entities and institutions in the public and private sectors.

Thanks to its different calls for grants and its own projects, the Biodiversity Foundation works on the conservation of different threatened and emblematic species such as the Iberian lynx, the brown bear, the imperial eagle, the loggerhead turtle, the posidonia, the monk seal, the lesser shearwater, the Iberian desman or the fartet. In the chapter on invasive species, it collaborates in the control of the populations of American crab, raccoon, American mink or cinnamon duck.

In addition, coinciding with the celebration of Biological Diversity Day, on May 22, 2013, the Spanish Business and Biodiversity Initiative (IEEB) was born. An initiative launched by the Biodiversity Foundation in order to include the conservation and management of biodiversity in the business strategies of the different business sectors of the Spanish economy and to identify opportunities and alternative and innovative projects as one of the solutions to the current crisis. On its third anniversary, 23 large companies have joined this initiative with the signing of the Biodiversity Pact, which incorporates the principles of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, the adhered companies formalize a strategic link to promote the conservation of biodiversity as an added value to the company.