Project “Conservation of Biodiversity in the Miera River” that is being carried out by the Nature and Man Foundation (FNYH).

The project “Conservation of biodiversity in the Miera River” developed by the Nature and Man Foundation (FNYH) with the support of the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Food and the Environment, was carried out to improve the conservation status and surface area of natural habitats and the demographic status of species of conservation interest in the Miera River basin. Work was carried out with habitats and species of community interest included in the Natura 2000 areas: Río Miera SCI, Montaña Oriental SCI and Dunas del Puntal SCI and Miera Estuary, in Cantabria, and Montes de Valnera SCI, in Burgos.

For its execution, FNYH made two infrastructures available to them: the Fluviarium Ecomuseum in Liérganes, for project management and awareness-raising activities, and the El Pendo Nursery, for the production of native plants, used for reforestation.

The LIFE Miera project envisaged the restoration of montane and riparian forests, peat bog, estuary and dune areas, and the identification and inventory of the insects of the flying deer (Lucanus cervus) and the nose cutter (Coenagrion mercuriale). In addition to actions aimed at the conservation of the fern (Woodwardia radicans) and aquatic animals such as the European otter (Lutra lutra) and the common salmon (Salmo salar) in the Miera basin. The various actions were carried out through land stewardship agreements with private owners and authorisations with public entities that own or manage the spaces.

This project has managedto improve the conservation status of several priority habitats through the signing of 9 stewardship agreements, the creation of two entomological reserves, the creation of four new populations of Woodwardia radicans, the restoration of 10.90 hectares of montane forest and the planting of 630 riverside trees, among other actions. In addition, the project has achieved the participation and awareness of more than 400 schoolchildren and 9,700 volunteers.