Every year, in the Valencian Community, 205 hunting clubs take the lead in conserving the Mediterranean ecosystem and its biodiversity. Their actions are aimed at preserving the native fauna and flora and reducing the impact of natural catastrophes such as wildfires, droughts, and floods.
Between March 2017 and March 2018, as indicated by the data collected by the Technical Office of the Valencian Hunting Federation, the 205 hunting clubs carried out the following actions:
- Improvement of forested areas: 485 hectares
- Management of pastures and wetlands: 1020 hectares
- Implementation and restoration of grassland for wildlife: 835 hectares
- Wildlife cover crops: 10,830 hectares
- Installation of artificial feeding points: 1190 units
- Provision of food: 405,000 kilograms
- Management and improvement of natural water points: 791 points
- Construction of artificial water points: 1103 units
- Construction of ponds and dams: 275
- Maintenance and refilling of artificial water points: 4608 units
- Construction of breeding shelters for wild animals: 232 units
These actions are examples of what hunters are doing all around Europe providing a great support to all habitats and species. These habitat management measures create opportunities for biodiversity to thrive and simultaneously turn the ecosystem more resilient to extreme weather conditions, such as the droughts that have been affecting the center and south of Spain in the last years.
Policy relevance:
This data demonstrates the significant conservation efforts made by hunters and hunting clubs on behalf of nature. The partnership between hunters and hunting organizations provides the workforce necessary to restore and maintain habitats for wildlife species, aligning with the goals outlined in the European Commission’s Nature Restoration Law proposal and in the EU’s Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. These collaborative actions not only contribute to the preservation of local ecosystems but also play a crucial role in mitigating the effects of natural disasters such as wildfires, droughts, and floods, benefiting both the environment and local communities.
Country: Spain
Starting date:2017
Species characteristics: Huntable species, Protected species
Type of actions: Management of habitats and wildlife
Leading partners: Valencian Hunting Federation
