LIFE Project: Non-Motorized Long-Distance Routes as Green Infrastructure
- Type Project
- Status In progress
- Execution 2022 -2026
- Assigned Budget 3.472.215,00 €
- Scope Europeo
- Autonomous community Cantabria
- Main source of financing LIFE
- Project website Web del proyecto
The Steps for LIFE project aims to transform cultural and tourism infrastructures (CTIs) into multifunctional green infrastructures (GIs) that integrate biodiversity conservation and enhancement, optimize ecological connectivity, provide ecosystem services, and raise awareness among tourists. This is consistent with the general design principles of GIs, understood as a network of ecologically connected natural and semi-natural sites, capable of becoming ecological corridors that form part of the Trans-European Nature Network (EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030).
Long-Distance Non-Motorized Routes (LDNRRs) are a type of linear development that allows for the integration of biodiversity management through the creation of ecological corridors, extending beyond protected natural sites and regional/municipal borders.
Currently, in Europe, a dense network of more than one million kilometers of trails (historical, cultural, livestock, greenways, and waterways) is traveled each year by millions of people (300 million worldwide) on foot, on horseback, or by bicycle, for cultural, religious, sporting, or tourist purposes. Today, LNMDLs are one of the fastest-growing sectors of the tourism industry, with an annual growth of 10% (until the COVID-19 crisis). They are resilient to economic and health crises, offering affordable tourism conducted outdoors (allowing for safe distancing in the event of a pandemic). Planning for environmental conservation and recreation in a health-friendly environment can combine many objectives, including ecological and landscape connectivity. However, trail networks are often developed without considering ecological corridors. The lack of alignment between biodiversity values and human use results in missed opportunities to maximize benefits in an environment of limited economic resources.
- Improve the internal ecological connectivity of each RMDN so that they act as ecological corridors, connecting different natural areas of interest through "stepping stones."
- Improve the conservation status of the most threatened, rare, or highly conservation-interested habitats and species.
- Ensure that the thousands of tourists who travel these routes annually and the inhabitants of the regions understand the importance of ecological connectivity and the concept of GI.
- Improve ecosystem services provided (e.g., habitat, climate change adaptation, cultural services, recreation, and health).
- Provide technical tools to LDNMR managers across Europe to guide them towards GI principles for existing routes and in the design and signage of new ones.
- Create and energize a European-level forum for LDNMR managers to exchange experiences, share methodologies, and promote the management of LDNMR as GIs.
- Coordinator/entity name: Marta Valle Agudo
Postal address: Calle Isabel Torres 11A. Mod 18-19. Building 3000. PCTCAN, 39011, Santander,
The project is in line with the EU Habitats and Birds Directives; the EU's Seventh Environment Action Programme (EAP) to 2020 (priority objectives 1, 3, and 7); the EU Pollinators Initiative; Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species; and the 2030 Biodiversity Strategy.
- Fundación Camino Lebaniego
- CMVNG (Câmara Municipal de Vila Nova de Gaia)
- FIRE (Fundación Internacional para la Restauración de Ecosistemas)
- Amica (Asociación Amica)
- SEO (Sociedad Española de Ornitología)
- Ampros (Asociación Cántabra en favor de las personas con discapacidad intelectual)
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