Line of action:

Terrestrial ecosystems

Status:

En ejecución

Location:

Burgos and Palencia (Castilla y León)

Geographic scope:

España

Execution date:

2024

Duration:

01/01/2024 - 31/12/2025

Typology:

Development and diversification of forestry uses and harvests

Total budget:

1,584,153.97 euros

Amount of aid from the Biodiversity Foundation:

1,504,946.27 euros

The geographical area of Las Loras, declared a UNESCO World Geopark in 2017, is formed by a territory with a high degree of conservation that includes in Burgos the Natural Park of the Hoces del Alto Ebro and Rudrón, and the ZEPA area of Humada Peña Amaya; and in Palencia the Protected Natural Spaces of Las Tuerces and Covalagua. Within the Geopark, one of its main pillars is the use of extensive livestock farming and the forest environment. Both are intrinsic resources that must be made compatible and managed as a fundamental tool in the fight against depopulation, the generation of stable activity in rural areas and the adaptation of towns to climate change.

The GAD-EX LABORATORY project will work with different types of traditional livestock such as horses, sheep, goats, bees and cattle, promoting a diverse activity adapted to the environment. All areas of the territory will be involved, including a technology center to analyze the real results and future replicability of the actions, as well as livestock farmers, forest managers, administrations, associations, etc. Forest masses of different characteristics have been included where their management, conservation, resilience and biodiversity will be improved as an active and fundamental part of the people, their society and their economy.

To carry out actions for the promotion of extensive livestock farming as a tool for the promotion of biodiversity, bioeconomy and the fight against rural depopulation in the territory of Las Loras Geopark, in the provinces of Burgos and Palencia.

• Creation of an operative group for coordination and follow-up.
• Improvement actions in woodlands and forest areas for extensive livestock use.
• Installation of green hedges or hedgerows to promote biodiversity as an element for extensive livestock management.
• Improvement of extensive livestock infrastructure.
• Improvement of the Castrecías shepherd’s house as a facility for transhumant livestock herders.
• Use of goats and horses for clearing forest areas in Valtierra de Albacastro.
• Use of beekeeping as a complement to the rest of extensive livestock farming and as a biodiversity enhancer.
• Use of new technologies for the analysis of the evolution of biodiversity in livestock grazing areas in different zones.
• Accounting of ecosystem services linked to extensive cattle ranching in the Geopark.
• Improvements in the production and marketing of products derived from extensive livestock farming.
• Communication and awareness.