The project seeks to promote participatory conservation models compatible with socio-economic development in the Montes de Socios.

This project seeks to promote participatory models of nature conservation compatible with the creation of business and socio-economic development in the Montes de Socios (MoS), in which the ownership of the forests is owned by a group of owners, applying land stewardship mechanisms for their conservation and sustainable use. It is proposed to analyse in parallel the Management Boards of the MoS, developed in Law 43/2003 on Forests and the stewardship of the territory, developed by Law 42/2007 on Natural Heritage and Biodiversity.

After this analysis, several pilot experiences of custody agreements in MoU Management Boards will be launched. At the same time, specific business, conservation and sustainable use plans will be developed for these pilot cases. Potential investors who are committed to this initiative will also be contacted , which means providing medium and long-term viability of the MoS.

This is a pioneering initiative that links land stewardship and Management Boards, and will allow an in-depth analysis of both figures, which will be useful in all MoS in Spain.

Among the project’s activities are the development of a guide that includes the technical and legal definition of the application of land stewardship mechanisms in MoS and the legislative, registry and civil analysis of land stewardship and MoS, in addition to the study of similar figures implemented in other countries.

In addition, pilot experiences will be launched in MoU Management Boards and the corresponding business, conservation and sustainable use plans specific to the pilot cases.

The results of the project will be disseminated both among the MdS collective and the general public, in this case through actions in the media and on social networks.