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The project focuses on improving ecological connectivity in Natura 2000 areas of the Eastern Cantabrian Mountains, in the border territory between Cantabria, Burgos and the Basque Country. To this end, the aim is to work on expanding knowledge about the ecosystem services of these Natura 2000 sites and possible connectivity problems in order to assess the interest of incorporating the area into a protection figure.

This project aims to improve the knowledge and conservation status of habitats of community interest in areas of the Natura 2000 Network of the Eastern Cantabrian Mountain and to promote the development of measures that increase ecological connectivity between Natura 2000 areas of Cantabria and Burgos.

1. Traditional grazing with native breeds for the conservation of habitats and the fight against Climate Change, in wetlands and native forests in regeneration.
2. Islands of vegetation: reforestation of mountainhead areas in ENP, with native pioneer species in areas abandoned to grazing.
3. Analysis of ecological connectivity in the Eastern Cantabrian Mountains.
4. Lecture series: Approaching the Eastern Cantabrian Mountain, at the Fluviarium de Liérganes.
5. Technical and dissemination sessions on ecological connectivity and ecosystem services, in Ramales de la Victoria, for social agents and the population.
6. Edition of panels on ecological connectivity of the Eastern Cantabrian Mountains.
7. Communication and dissemination of advances and results in the media.

• Within the framework of the project, traditional grazing actions were carried out with native breeds such as the Carranzana sheep, which contributed to the improvement of pastures, growth and fire prevention in areas of forest regeneration and in wetlands for the conservation of habitats and the fight against climate change.

• Mountain headwaters areas were also reforested in protected natural areas abandoned to grazing, with the planting of 2,050 native trees, including Fagus sylvatica, Betula alba or Sorbus aria, in two Natura 2000 Network spaces. This is intended to stop erosion in river headwaters and contribute to the increase of ecological and forest connectivity in Montes de Valnera and Montaña Oriental, areas designated with the figure of Site of Community Interest (SCI).

• The study also determined that the ecological connectivity of the Natura 2000 Network spaces is interrupted in the municipality of Ramales de la Victoria, in the area called Monte Moro, the area under study of the project.

• On the other hand, the entity identified the ecosystem services in order to enhance and value them in order to choose a figure that protects this place and thus avoid the disconnection of habitats and fragmentation of the protected natural spaces adjacent to this area. These include; the Armañón Special Area of Conservation (SAC), and the Montaña Oriental SCI and Montes de Valnera SCI, as well as the Collados del Asón Natural Park. For this reason, and after this analysis, it has been concluded that this area can be declared a Natural Area of Special Interest (ANEI).

• The initiative also developed informative and communication actions. A total of 3 informative talks were organized aimed at the general public given by specialists who aimed to publicize the environmental, cultural and traditional values of the space under study of the project.

• There were also 3 technical presentations on ecological connectivity and ecosystem services, for social agents and citizens. In addition, different informative materials such as physical panels and other communication materials were published, including photographs and videos about the project.