PROJECT WINGS FOR NERPIO

In 2009, the Town Hall of Nerpio received a grant from the Biodiversity Foundation in order to develop the “ACTION PLAN FOR THE CONSERVATION OF BIRDLIFE AND THE REGULATION AND EVALUATION OF THIS NATURAL HERITAGE IN RELATION WITH ORNITHOLOGICAL TOURISM”.

This plan was renamed with the shorter and more meaningful name of “Alas para Nerpio” (Wings for Nerpio), a project which attempts to raise awareness in the local population with respect to the importance of the conservations of birdlife and the natural environment in general, as a possible motor of socioeconomic development of the rural community.

Egyptian Vulture (Gyps fulvus) flying through the skys of Nerpio.

With this project a model of development is positioned in the municipality, compatible with the conservation of the natural heritage and landscape.

Since 2010 different activities are being developed in the municipality of Nerpio, with the aim of achieving the main objectives of the Project, which are the following:

1. To raise awareness amongst the local population, mainly the young, business people and workers in the tourism sector.

Children, learning to watch birds.

2. To develop systems of ornithological information for tourists as much for the knowledge and better enjoyment of their ornithological observations as well as for the observance of good practices in this activity.

3. To create infrastructures for the observation of birds (viewpoints, observatories, walking paths, sign posting, remote observation in interpretation....).

Mingarnao Bird Observatory

4. Promote green employment with the contracting of specialized guides and people in charge of the execution of the Project.

5. Show the local population that ecotourism is a real source of employment in their area.

6. Establish a collaboration system with the conservationist bodies so that knowledge flows from these to the municipality and viceversa.

7. Promote alternative tourism based on the observation and enjoyment of nature.

The total budget of the Project during the first year increased to 97,700 €, with the Biodiversity Foundation, a dependent of the Ministry of Environment, being the principal financing body.

So far, the following organizations have collaborated in the Project:

• Biodiversity Foundation
• Nerpio Town Hall
• Provincial Council of Albacete.
• Albacete High School.
• Local Government of Castilla-La Mancha.
• Spanish Ornithological Society SEO/Birdlife.
• Albacete Ornithological Society SAO.
• AMPA Rio Taibilla.
• Beneche de Nerpio Secondary School
• Nerpio Primary School.
• Nerpio Association of Rural Tourism Businesses.
• Cultural Friends of Yetas Association.
• Nerpio Cultural Park Association.