We are looking for landowners and entities to carry out environmental improvement and land conservation actions.
Fundació Emys and Consorci del Ter are launching a call to identify owners of agricultural, forestry, and municipal land interested in enhancing the natural and ecological value of their properties through long-term voluntary land stewardship agreements (minimum 20 years).
Where are we looking for properties?
We are particularly interested in properties located in three priority areas:
- Baix Ter: from Bescanó to the sea.
- La Selva Plain: the area between the Sant Sebastià meadows and the Sils lake (estany de Sils).
- Tordera River Basin: from Santa Coloma de Farners down to the lower Tordera area.
What actions can be carried out?
Through these agreements, our technical team will design and execute ecological restoration actions tailored to the specific features and needs of each property. Actions may include, among others:
- · Restoration and creation of ponds and other water points.
- · Improvement of canals, streams, and small watercourses.
- · Restoration of meadows and forest clearings.
- · Sustainable forest management to improve forest structure, prevent wildfires, and boost biodiversity.
- · Increasing deadwood and planting native vegetation.
- · Control of invasive alien species.
- · Protection of threatened wildlife, particularly the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) and other aquatic ecosystem species.
Each property will be evaluated individually, and actions will be agreed upon jointly with the landowner. Stewardship agreements* will involve no cost to the owner.
*What is a land stewardship agreement?
Land stewardship is a conservation tool based on voluntary collaboration between landowners and environmental organizations. Through these agreements, parties work together to conserve and enhance the natural features of properties, making land uses compatible with biodiversity protection. Every agreement is customized to the specific characteristics and needs of each property, built on trust, clear communication, and ongoing partnership.
How to participate?
Please note that the goal of this call is to identify interested properties in order to include them in various funding streams and plan the technical execution of the actions.
If you are interested or would like to assess the suitability of your property, we invite you to fill out the form below.
Thank you very much for your time!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
About the properties
What types of land/properties are we looking for?
We are looking for properties located in areas of interest for the conservation of the European pond turtle and wetlands. We are interested in agricultural, forestry, livestock, or mixed properties, as well as meadows, pastures, ponds, streams, torrents, lakes, or other sites with potential for ecological restoration. The property does not need to currently host a European pond turtle population; we also work on sites that help improve ecological connectivity or have the potential to recover habitats. Each property is evaluated individually.
Does my property need to have a pond or a population of European pond turtles?
No. We are also looking for properties that can contribute to improving ecological connectivity between existing populations or that have the potential to restore aquatic and terrestrial habitats.
Does the property need to be protected or part of the Natura 2000 Network?
No. Many actions can be carried out outside protected areas, provided the property has strategic value for the conservation of the European pond turtle and wetlands.
Does the property need to be large?
No. Both small and large properties can be suitable. What matters most is their location, the habitats present, and the potential for improvement.
How do I know if my property is suitable?
You don't need to figure that out yourself. If you think your property might be of interest, please get in touch with us. We will make an initial assessment without any obligation and, if appropriate, visit the site to evaluate its characteristics and explore potential opportunities for collaboration together.
About land stewardship
What is a land stewardship agreement?
It is a voluntary agreement between the landowner and a conservation organization that sets shared goals to conserve and enhance the natural values of the property, always respecting the owner's interests. It is a collaborative framework based on trust and open dialogue aimed at building a long-term relationship.
Is the agreement legally binding?
No. It is a voluntary agreement that establishes a framework for collaboration between the landowner and the Emys Foundation, but it does not restrict the management of the property nor involve any transfer of rights.
If I sign a stewardship agreement, do I give up control over my land?
No. The landowner retains full decision-making power over the property. Any proposed action is planned jointly and will not be carried out without the owner's explicit consent.
What are the benefits of a land stewardship agreement?
It provides access to specialized technical advice, a stable relationship with the Emys Foundation, and inclusion of the property in the network of land sites we work with. This makes it easier—when new funding opportunities or suitable projects arise—to evaluate them together and, if aligned with the owner's interests, implement conservation actions without the owner having to manage them directly.
About the conservation actions
Who decides which actions will be carried out?
Actions are defined jointly with the owner following a technical site visit, taking into account the natural values of the property, conservation goals, and ongoing land uses. Each proposal is customized for the specific property, and no action is executed without the owner's approval.
Can agricultural or forestry uses be maintained?
Yes. Our approach to conservation is fully compatible with existing land uses. We work side-by-side with landowners so that farming, forestry, livestock raising, or other activities continue and are managed in a way that remains compatible with—and whenever possible enhances—biodiversity. Our goal is never to stop activities, but to highlight and support management practices that benefit both the land and its natural heritage.
What kinds of actions might be carried out?
It depends on each property. Examples include restoring or creating ponds, recovering riparian vegetation, improving ecological connectivity, controlling invasive alien species, restoring wet meadows, or enhancing habitats overall.
Who executes the work?
The actions are carried out by specialized teams hired through the various projects or directly by the Emys Foundation. The technical team at the Emys Foundation manages, coordinates, and supervises all work.
Does the landowner need to be present during the works?
Usually, no. A preliminary meeting is required to agree on the planned actions, along with being reachable if any decisions need to be made during execution. If the owner cannot be present, we keep them updated on progress and final outcomes.
About funding
Do these actions cost the landowner anything?
When actions are part of a funded project, no. The Emys Foundation handles securing funding, drafting projects, obtaining the necessary permits, coordinating execution, and conducting technical monitoring, so the landowner assumes no cost or risk.
What if I have a specific need on my property?
We also offer technical services on demand for landowners. In these cases, we assess the site's needs together and, whenever possible, search for funding channels to make the actions viable.
What happens if there is no funding available right now?
A land stewardship agreement is not tied to a single project. If no suitable grant or funding call is available at the time, we keep the property in our collaboration network and reach out to evaluate opportunities as soon as a fitting project arises.
What happens when a project ends?
The relationship with the landowner continues. Land stewardship goes far beyond a single project, allowing us to keep working together whenever new funding opportunities or conservation actions of interest emerge.
About the LIFE project
When will the LIFE project start?
We are currently preparing the application for the European LIFE program. We will submit it this autumn, and results are expected during the first half of 2027. If selected, the project would start around late 2027 or early 2028 and run for approximately six years. Regardless of whether the LIFE grant is awarded, if the property is of conservation interest, we can begin collaborating through a land stewardship agreement right away.
Can I still propose my property?
Yes. The search for new properties to establish stewardship agreements is ongoing. We are always open to exploring properties with conservation potential for the European pond turtle and wetlands, whether an active project is underway or not. Regarding the LIFE application specifically, participating properties will be finalized before submission. Even if a property is not included in this particular LIFE proposal, it can still be involved in future initiatives. The stewardship agreement enables us to evaluate new funding sources and execute actions when the right project comes along.
About landowner commitment
How much time or effort is required to participate?
Generally, very little. It requires an initial site visit to get to know the property, agree on potential actions, and occasional communication during project development. The Emys Foundation handles all technical coordination, administrative management, and monitoring.
What happens if I sell the property?
The stewardship agreement does not restrict or affect the sale of the property. In the event of a ownership transfer, we can discuss with the new owners whether they wish to continue the collaboration.
Can these actions increase the value of the property?
In many cases, yes. Environmental restoration can improve the ecological quality of the land, enhance biodiversity, increase water availability and quality, reduce risks related to climate change, and add overall value to the property's natural heritage.
