The Foundation serves society by building a better and fairer future. It offers people opportunities; it fosters talent, creation and education, and preserves the natural and cultural heritage.

Foundation date

23rd January 2013 (Territory & Environment department)

Users

64.000

Beneficiaries

More than 400.000

Location

Throughout Catalan territory, with headquarters in the La Pedrera building, Barcelona

Current Iniatives

  • Espais Natura Network: The Foundation continues to devote a large part of its efforts to the conservation and management of a remarkable natural heritage. The Espais Natura Network has consolidated its position as a unique model in southern Europe, recognised by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature as an example of good practices in the conservation of natural spaces from the private sector, an increasingly popular model of government around the world.
  • LIFE projects for the conservation of the territory and nature: The Foundation participates in several major projects, co-financed with European funds: LIFE-Montserrat, LIFE MigratoEbre, LIFE Delta Lagoon, LIFE Operació CO2 and LIFE Alnus.
  • Quality environmental education: Natural heritage incorporates many intangible values—aesthetic, spiritual, etc.—and is a symbol of identity for peoples and nations. Transmitting these values and a well-preserved heritage is also a responsibility towards future generations.
  • Amenities: The Foundation has facilities in nature that offer stays and activities with the mission of raising society’s awareness in terms of respect for their surroundings and environmental values. For example: MónNatura Pirineus, MónNatura Delta de l’Ebre, Món Sant Benet, Muntanya d’Alinyà, Congost de Mont-rebei, Montserrat-coll de can Maçana, etc.

The beginnings

The British National Trust model was the inspiration that followed the then Fundació Territori i Paisatge (original name of the current Foundation). This English entity, with more than 100 years of history and more than 2 million members, is the main land owner (after the Crown) in natural and cultural spaces.

Upcoming objectives

  • Launching the Network of Associated Producers, which is focused on food production and supporting farmers.
  • Improving biodiversity quality indicators.
  • Promoting responsible and sustainable ecotourism in nature.
  • Reconnecting people with nature to improve their health.
People watching birds | Giraffa

2nd edition of the Delta Birding Festival

Source:Fundació Catalunya-La Pedrera

A good habit

Never lose touch with nature.

Direct contact with nature improves physical, psychological and emotional health and well-being. Nevertheless, it is said that we are suffering from “nature-deficit disorder”, due to the progressive distancing of our increasingly urban society from the natural environment.

Take advantage of any occasion for a getaway or outing that allows you to enjoy the simplest things that nature has to offer.

A quote

Never does nature say one thing and wisdom another.

Bird ringing session | Giraffa

Bird ringing session

Source: Fundació Catalunya-La Pedrera

Recording of living species

Source: Fundació Catalunya-La Pedrera

Milestones achieved

  • 25 protected natural spaces (7,851 ha), 99.7% within the Natura 2000 Network, visited by more than 400,000 people each year.
  • Custodianship of the territory: The conservation of the territory and landscape does not end with acquiring farms or forest reserves. Custodianship of the territory allows us to help manage and preserve public and private spaces.
  • Families: The Foundation schedules a series of activities and workshops for families to enjoy nature, go on trips to discover the territory and learn about the secrets of their surroundings.
  • Schools: One of the main focuses of the Foundation’s Educational Services is nature. From an advanced didactic it is suggested that the boys and girls of Catalonia complement their training and learn from the environment in order to contribute to its preservation.
  • Volunteers: Our mission is enriched by the involvement and contribution of ideas, values and commitment of people interested in participating in the nature conservation and environmental education projects that we carry out in the Espais Natura Network.
  • Biodiversity: The Foundation focuses a large part of its efforts on caring for those species that are most threatened, through a large number of projects.
  • Habitat management: When it comes to tackling the challenge of preserving biodiversity, properly conserving and managing habitats is as important, or even more so, than focusing attention on individual species.
People looking through a microscope | Giraffa

Enviromental Sciences campus

Source: Fundació Catalunya-La Pedrera

Pruning of tamarisks | Giraffa

Pruning of tamarisks

Source: Fundació Catalunya-La Pedrera

A reflexion

We preserve, improve and restore, if necessary, our ecosystems and landscapes because a well-conserved natural space, a well-managed territory and a healthy environment are social values that are being increasingly recognised in an advanced society.