European Rewilding Network
ERN1305

La Muntanya d’Alinyà

A living mountain in the Catalan Pre-Pyrenees

View of la Roca de la Pena, iconic mountain inside la Muntanya d'Alinyà site.
Francesc Muntada

A great setting and refuge for emblematic species such as the chamois or the rooster, Espai Natura Muntanya de Alinyà is located in the Catalan Pre-Pyrenees, the only region in Europe where you can see with ease the four species of vultures that live on the Old Continent: Common Vulture, Vulture, Black Vulture and Aufrany.

Between the Sierra del Cadí and the river Segre, the Espai Natura Muntanya d’Alinyà is the largest private farm in Catalonia. Its more than 5,000 hectares, between 500 and 2,380 m in altitude, and its rugged relief, give it a variety of superlative atmospheres. Pastures, rivers, forests, summits, cliffs and scree form a group of exceptional ecological and landscape riches, where the great Pyrenean fauna lives in harmony with the local population.

FCLP acquired Muntanya d’Alinyà  in 1999 and became one of the largest private nature reserves in Spain. After years of studying and planning, several initiatives to improve biodiversity and to encourage green jobs have been in place. Now, a new paradigm to preserve natural values is being tested.

Project: La Muntanya d’Alinyà
Region: la Muntanya d'Alinyà (Fígols i Alinyà, Lleida)
Type of protection: N2000, National Hunting Reserve, Private Protected Area
Fauna (mega) species present: Gypaetus barbatus, Gyps fulvus, Neophron percnopterus, Aquila chrysaetos, Rupicapra pirenaica, Sus scrofa, Capreolus capreolus, Tetrao urogallus, Felis sylvestris, Canis lupus
Type of project: Creating space for wilder nature, Increasing interest in the wild through communications, Supporting wildlife comeback
Aim and vision: Maintain biodiversity and enhance natural processes - human and nature
La Muntanya d’Alinyà is a healthy example of the natural systems and landscapes in the Pre-Pyrenees and has become a model of the positive interaction between human activities and nature conservation that encourages people and talent to stay
Uniqueness of the project: This is the only area in Europe where you can spot the 4 European vulture species in the wild
Other activities: Eco tourism, Research, Sale of sustainable products
Results you aim to accomplish in 10 years from now on: - Fixation of black vulture - Maintenance of the nesting pairs of Lammerg. and Egyptian vultures - Improvement of the forest structure to favour diversity and reliance against global change and forest fires - Stabilize the grazing pressure to ensure open areas are maintained - A good ex of green jobs
Results so far: Ecotouristic initiatives in place (hide for vulture photography, visits to see vultures feeding, visitor center on vultures and the natural / social values of the site)
Increase of visitor traffic looking for nature related activities, specially in the 2 restaurants and the local 4x4 taxi service (both families are also hunters in the area)
Black vulture population fixed and nesting in neighbour area (Boumort national hunting reserve)
University campus for students to prepare final thesis
During October 2014, 5  Black Vultures were released in the wild at Alinyà Mt. site, plus 9 more at the nearby twin reintroduction site of Boumort. Intensive monitoring of the released birds are done with volunteers and experts team. So far, 62 birds have been released within the reintroduction project at the Pre-Pyrenees range, where a new population has been established in the last 8 years.
Inspirational value: Alinyà Mt. is the largest private nature reserve in Spain, managed by a conservation oriented Foundation, where a rich biodiversity is protected and restored in harmony with local inhabitants and traditional use of land and where ecotourism (vulture watching, trekking) is becoming a new socioeconomical source for Youth entrepreneurs
Experience you would like to share: Ecotourism (vultures), visitor centers and rewilding of large herbivores (wild horses, auroch)
Experience you would like to gain: Release of cattle, horses: legal conditions, administration
Map
Country
Spain
Start year
1999
Size (ha)
5352
Area type
Other
Flagship species
Vulture
La Muntanya d’Alinyà
View of la Roca de la Pena, iconic mountain inside la Muntanya d'Alinyà site.
Francesc Muntada

A great setting and refuge for emblematic species such as the chamois or the rooster, Espai Natura Muntanya de Alinyà is located in the Catalan Pre-Pyrenees, the only region in Europe where you can see with ease the four species of vultures that live on the Old Continent: Common Vulture, Vulture, Black Vulture and Aufrany.

Between the Sierra del Cadí and the river Segre, the Espai Natura Muntanya d’Alinyà is the largest private farm in Catalonia. Its more than 5,000 hectares, between 500 and 2,380 m in altitude, and its rugged relief, give it a variety of superlative atmospheres. Pastures, rivers, forests, summits, cliffs and scree form a group of exceptional ecological and landscape riches, where the great Pyrenean fauna lives in harmony with the local population.

FCLP acquired Muntanya d’Alinyà  in 1999 and became one of the largest private nature reserves in Spain. After years of studying and planning, several initiatives to improve biodiversity and to encourage green jobs have been in place. Now, a new paradigm to preserve natural values is being tested.

Map
Country
Spain
Start year
1999
Size (ha)
5352
Area type
Other
Flagship species
Vulture
Specification
Project: La Muntanya d’Alinyà
Region: la Muntanya d'Alinyà (Fígols i Alinyà, Lleida)
Type of protection: N2000, National Hunting Reserve, Private Protected Area
Fauna (mega) species present: Gypaetus barbatus, Gyps fulvus, Neophron percnopterus, Aquila chrysaetos, Rupicapra pirenaica, Sus scrofa, Capreolus capreolus, Tetrao urogallus, Felis sylvestris, Canis lupus
Description
Type of project: Creating space for wilder nature, Increasing interest in the wild through communications, Supporting wildlife comeback
Aim and vision: Maintain biodiversity and enhance natural processes - human and nature
La Muntanya d’Alinyà is a healthy example of the natural systems and landscapes in the Pre-Pyrenees and has become a model of the positive interaction between human activities and nature conservation that encourages people and talent to stay
Uniqueness of the project: This is the only area in Europe where you can spot the 4 European vulture species in the wild
Other activities: Eco tourism, Research, Sale of sustainable products
Achievements
Results you aim to accomplish in 10 years from now on: - Fixation of black vulture - Maintenance of the nesting pairs of Lammerg. and Egyptian vultures - Improvement of the forest structure to favour diversity and reliance against global change and forest fires - Stabilize the grazing pressure to ensure open areas are maintained - A good ex of green jobs
Results so far: Ecotouristic initiatives in place (hide for vulture photography, visits to see vultures feeding, visitor center on vultures and the natural / social values of the site)
Increase of visitor traffic looking for nature related activities, specially in the 2 restaurants and the local 4x4 taxi service (both families are also hunters in the area)
Black vulture population fixed and nesting in neighbour area (Boumort national hunting reserve)
University campus for students to prepare final thesis
During October 2014, 5  Black Vultures were released in the wild at Alinyà Mt. site, plus 9 more at the nearby twin reintroduction site of Boumort. Intensive monitoring of the released birds are done with volunteers and experts team. So far, 62 birds have been released within the reintroduction project at the Pre-Pyrenees range, where a new population has been established in the last 8 years.
Exchange
Inspirational value: Alinyà Mt. is the largest private nature reserve in Spain, managed by a conservation oriented Foundation, where a rich biodiversity is protected and restored in harmony with local inhabitants and traditional use of land and where ecotourism (vulture watching, trekking) is becoming a new socioeconomical source for Youth entrepreneurs
Experience you would like to share: Ecotourism (vultures), visitor centers and rewilding of large herbivores (wild horses, auroch)
Experience you would like to gain: Release of cattle, horses: legal conditions, administration
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