Business & Biodiversity By Palombar
Connecting the economic and business sectors
with nature conservation
2022
BBP - Business & Biodiversity by Palombar
What is Business & Biodiversity by Palombar?
The Business & Biodiversity by Palombar (BBP) Project aims to work with the economic and business sectors to create a habitat favourable to the development of biodiversity and natural and human capital conservation projects, with a positive impact on fauna, flora and habitats.
Biodiversity is the main beneficiary of companies' interest in demonstrating their social and environmental responsibility. Through this initiative and Palombar's actions, a number of projects whose external funding period (national and European) has ended or which are being implemented exclusively with self-financing will be kept running, or projects will be designed to meet the needs of companies and based on the impacts of their activity.
Companies, in turn, benefit from investing in biodiversity conservation, mitigating the impacts of their activity and integrating biodiversity into their management strategies through a solid and lasting partnership, by participating in an honest and transparent process and, above all, with an undeniable positive impact on nature.
How does BBP work?
Each project has a Project Sheet containing all the scientific, technical and financial information necessary for the business partner to make a decision. After analysing the various projects and participation models, the business partner decides which projects it wants to support and to what extent, and communicates this to Palombar.
A written agreement is then established between the parties to regulate and formalise the partnership. The agreement is based on the partner's decision and the commitments made by Palombar and the company. During the partnership, Palombar produces reports tailored to the needs of the business partner, with performance and impact indicators for the projects supported.
To certify the partnership and the investment made in biodiversity conservation, Palombar issues a Certificate attesting to the partner company's involvement and makes the initiative's Seal available so that it can be used in its communication initiatives.
How is BBP structured?
The BBP Project is structured into three models:
• TurnKey Projects BBP | TKP
• Volunteer and Awareness Projects BBP | VAP
• TailorMade Projects BBP | TMP
TurnKey Projects BBP | TKP
Palombar offers a portfolio of nature conservation projects as part of its BBP initiative (only projects or parts of projects that are being implemented with the association's own funding).
Some examples of TurnKey Projects BBP | TKP in operation:
The rehabilitation and management of riparian habitats is of vital importance for biodiversity and also for people, as water quality is one of the main beneficiaries of these interventions. Watercourses are home to some of the most important habitats in terms of biodiversity conservation in Portugal. They are considered priority conservation habitats at European level.
Improving the ecological conditions of rivers and streams by cleaning them and planting natural vegetation on their banks is of great importance. These habitats are fundamental for a large number of species that depend on them. Palombar carries out various actions to recover, rehabilitate and maintain riparian habitats in rivers and streams in the north-east of Trás-os-Montes.
Human beings depend on nature, and nature sometimes depends on human activity. The traditional dovecotes of the Northeast of Trás-os-Montes perfectly illustrate this interaction.
Since its foundation, Palombar has been dedicated to restoring and maintaining these structures. Biodiversity, in turn, and in particular a bird of prey, Bonelli's eagle, benefits greatly from the presence of traditional dovecotes in its territory, because one of its main prey is the rock pigeon.
The restoration and maintenance of traditional dovecotes by Palombar is, at the same time, a fundamental contribution to the conservation of traditional built heritage and this emblematic species.
.jpg)
The Montagu's harrier is classified as “Endangered” according to the Red Book of Vertebrates of Portugal, and its populations have been declining steadily throughout the country.
This is a steppe species that nests on the ground, usually in areas cultivated with cereals, arable crops, and fodder. The unintentional destruction of its nests, eggs, and chicks by agricultural machinery during harvesting is one of the main threats to its survival.
Palombar promotes the identification and registration of nests and works with farmers to mark and create nest protection zones, thus protecting these birds and their chicks during the breeding season. It rescues eggs, incubates and raises them in captivity, acclimates them, and returns them to the wild.
.jpg)
Scavenger birds or vultures play a fundamental and extremely important role in our ecosystems. They control pests and diseases that affect wildlife and domestic animals that humans need.
Of the three species of vultures present in Portugal, two have a very unfavorable conservation status.
The scarcity of food for scavenger birds is one of the main threats to this group of birds. To address this problem, Palombar implements actions to install and manage Scavenger Bird Feeding Fields (CAAN) and Food Deposition Outside Feeding Fields (DAFCA).
.jpg)
The restoration of natural habitats is of great importance, particularly in areas of high ecological value such as the Natura 2000 Network, where areas with artificially created habitats still exist.
Palombar carries out habitat restoration actions in the SAC and SPA of the Sabor and Maçãs rivers, where it replaces eucalyptus forests with cork oak and holm oak forests, which are very important for the landscape and native fauna. The restoration actions implemented by Palombar contribute to counteracting desertification processes, recovering soils, combating climate change, and reducing the risk of rural fires.
Volunteer and Awareness Projects BBP | VAP
Palombar works with the Partner Entity to design a volunteer and awareness project in the field of biodiversity conservation, tailored to its needs and/or integrated with the volunteer programs that Palombar already organizes. A survey is conducted to identify the specific interests of the Partner Entity and its employees, and an activity is prepared that covers the topics of interest and is of appropriate duration.
Palombar - Nature and Rural Heritage Conservation is certified with the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) Quality Label of the European Union (EU) - Leading Organization.
This label certifies that Palombar “carries out high-quality solidarity activities in accordance with the principles, objectives, and quality standards defined for the ESC.” The ESC is an EU initiative aimed at young people, giving them the opportunity to volunteer or work on projects, either in their own country or abroad, for the benefit of people and communities across Europe. The ESC Quality Label is valid for the period 2021-2027, while the “Leading Organization” certification is valid for the period 2023-2025.
Some of the volunteer programs developed by Palombar can be found HERE.
TailorMade Projects BBP | TMP
Palombar works with the Partner Entity to design a biodiversity conservation project tailored to its needs and based on the impacts of its activity. A Diagnosis is carried out jointly with the Partner Entity, including a survey of activities that have an impact on biodiversity.
Once the assessment has been carried out jointly with the company, it will be possible to design a project that is fully adapted and focused on the identified needs.
Promoter Palombar
Area of intervention Northern Region
Partners Economic and business sector
The Business & Biodiversity by Palombar (BBP) Project aims to work with the economic and business sectors to create a habitat favourable to the development of biodiversity and natural and human capital conservation projects, with a positive impact on fauna, flora and habitats.
Biodiversity is the main beneficiary of companies' interest in demonstrating their social and environmental responsibility. Through this initiative and Palombar's actions, a number of projects whose external funding period (national and European) has ended or which are being implemented exclusively with self-financing will be kept running, or projects will be designed to meet the needs of companies and based on the impacts of their activity.
Companies, in turn, benefit from investing in biodiversity conservation, mitigating the impacts of their activity and integrating biodiversity into their management strategies through a solid and lasting partnership, by participating in an honest and transparent process and, above all, with an undeniable positive impact on nature.
How does BBP work?
Each project has a Project Sheet containing all the scientific, technical and financial information necessary for the business partner to make a decision. After analysing the various projects and participation models, the business partner decides which projects it wants to support and to what extent, and communicates this to Palombar.
A written agreement is then established between the parties to regulate and formalise the partnership. The agreement is based on the partner's decision and the commitments made by Palombar and the company. During the partnership, Palombar produces reports tailored to the needs of the business partner, with performance and impact indicators for the projects supported.
To certify the partnership and the investment made in biodiversity conservation, Palombar issues a Certificate attesting to the partner company's involvement and makes the initiative's Seal available so that it can be used in its communication initiatives.
How is BBP structured?
The BBP Project is structured into three models:
• TurnKey Projects BBP | TKP
• Volunteer and Awareness Projects BBP | VAP
• TailorMade Projects BBP | TMP
TurnKey Projects BBP | TKP
Palombar offers a portfolio of nature conservation projects as part of its BBP initiative (only projects or parts of projects that are being implemented with the association's own funding).
Some examples of TurnKey Projects BBP | TKP in operation:
- BBP | Rivers and Streams – Recovery and maintenance of riparian galleries
The rehabilitation and management of riparian habitats is of vital importance for biodiversity and also for people, as water quality is one of the main beneficiaries of these interventions. Watercourses are home to some of the most important habitats in terms of biodiversity conservation in Portugal. They are considered priority conservation habitats at European level.
Improving the ecological conditions of rivers and streams by cleaning them and planting natural vegetation on their banks is of great importance. These habitats are fundamental for a large number of species that depend on them. Palombar carries out various actions to recover, rehabilitate and maintain riparian habitats in rivers and streams in the north-east of Trás-os-Montes.
- BBP | Traditional dovecotes – Restoration and maintenance to increase the availability and abundance of prey for Bonelli's eagle
Human beings depend on nature, and nature sometimes depends on human activity. The traditional dovecotes of the Northeast of Trás-os-Montes perfectly illustrate this interaction.
Since its foundation, Palombar has been dedicated to restoring and maintaining these structures. Biodiversity, in turn, and in particular a bird of prey, Bonelli's eagle, benefits greatly from the presence of traditional dovecotes in its territory, because one of its main prey is the rock pigeon.
The restoration and maintenance of traditional dovecotes by Palombar is, at the same time, a fundamental contribution to the conservation of traditional built heritage and this emblematic species.
- BBP | Steppes – Rescue of nests and individuals of the Montagu's harrier
The Montagu's harrier is classified as “Endangered” according to the Red Book of Vertebrates of Portugal, and its populations have been declining steadily throughout the country.
This is a steppe species that nests on the ground, usually in areas cultivated with cereals, arable crops, and fodder. The unintentional destruction of its nests, eggs, and chicks by agricultural machinery during harvesting is one of the main threats to its survival.
Palombar promotes the identification and registration of nests and works with farmers to mark and create nest protection zones, thus protecting these birds and their chicks during the breeding season. It rescues eggs, incubates and raises them in captivity, acclimates them, and returns them to the wild.
- BBP | Scavengers – Improving the availability and quality of food for vultures
Scavenger birds or vultures play a fundamental and extremely important role in our ecosystems. They control pests and diseases that affect wildlife and domestic animals that humans need.
Of the three species of vultures present in Portugal, two have a very unfavorable conservation status.
The scarcity of food for scavenger birds is one of the main threats to this group of birds. To address this problem, Palombar implements actions to install and manage Scavenger Bird Feeding Fields (CAAN) and Food Deposition Outside Feeding Fields (DAFCA).
- BBP | Restoration – Restoration of natural habitats
The restoration of natural habitats is of great importance, particularly in areas of high ecological value such as the Natura 2000 Network, where areas with artificially created habitats still exist.
Palombar carries out habitat restoration actions in the SAC and SPA of the Sabor and Maçãs rivers, where it replaces eucalyptus forests with cork oak and holm oak forests, which are very important for the landscape and native fauna. The restoration actions implemented by Palombar contribute to counteracting desertification processes, recovering soils, combating climate change, and reducing the risk of rural fires.
Volunteer and Awareness Projects BBP | VAP
Palombar works with the Partner Entity to design a volunteer and awareness project in the field of biodiversity conservation, tailored to its needs and/or integrated with the volunteer programs that Palombar already organizes. A survey is conducted to identify the specific interests of the Partner Entity and its employees, and an activity is prepared that covers the topics of interest and is of appropriate duration.
This label certifies that Palombar “carries out high-quality solidarity activities in accordance with the principles, objectives, and quality standards defined for the ESC.” The ESC is an EU initiative aimed at young people, giving them the opportunity to volunteer or work on projects, either in their own country or abroad, for the benefit of people and communities across Europe. The ESC Quality Label is valid for the period 2021-2027, while the “Leading Organization” certification is valid for the period 2023-2025.
Some of the volunteer programs developed by Palombar can be found HERE.
TailorMade Projects BBP | TMP
Palombar works with the Partner Entity to design a biodiversity conservation project tailored to its needs and based on the impacts of its activity. A Diagnosis is carried out jointly with the Partner Entity, including a survey of activities that have an impact on biodiversity.
Once the assessment has been carried out jointly with the company, it will be possible to design a project that is fully adapted and focused on the identified needs.
Promoter Palombar
Area of intervention Northern Region
Partners Economic and business sector