Menorca's Land Stewardship Programme - our work and impact (Eng)

Mosaic landscape.

Over 4000 years ago, humans started shaping the island’s terrain, slowly transforming it into the mosaic landscape that forms the basis of today’s Biosphere Reserve.

Most of Menorca’s land is managed, in one way or another, by farmers and land workers.

Maintaining sustainable agricultural practices is key to preserving the island’s mosaic landscape.

A landscape encompassing important natural ecosystems, heritage sites and a pristine countryside.

Talatí de Dalt farms autochthonous breeds of beef and lamb.

The red kite (Milvus milvus). An emblematic species identified by GOB Menorca.

GOB Menorca’s main objective is to reconcile human activities with environmental values. Since its founding, the organization has engaged citizens and collaborated with other entities to promote environmental and economic sustainability.

LAND STEWARDSHIP

The conecpt of land stewardship was introduced to Spain in the 2000s, inspired by initiatives taking place in North America and Northern Europe.

GOB Menorca joined this new conservation strategy in 2004 and created the Custòdia Agrària programme.

La Marcona farm produces bread and pizzas using Xeixa wheat, a local variety of grain.

The programme’s objective is to establish voluntary agreements between farmers, landowners and conservation organizations in order to work towards a financially and environmentally sustainable agricultural model.

All parties involved must find consensus in order to sign the agreement and reach the programme’s objective.

Source: 6º Inventario de iniciativas de Custodia del Territorio en España.

Custòdia Agrària agreement with Binibò farm.

GOB Menorca initiated a local land stewardship programme on the island under the name of Custòdia Agrària.

This programme promotes sustainable agricultural practices encompassing financial and environmental benefits, in line with three fundamental values: HEALTH, NATURE and PROXIMITY

Directed grazing of the Menorquina cattle breed on Santa Cecília farm.

Farmers managing agricultural holdings adhered to Custòdia Agrària avoid pesticide use.

Fruit and vegetable production is seasonal and produce is harvested when ripe and ready. This ensures high nutritional value.

Cattle graze at their own pace and live stress-free. Autochthonous breeds and varieties are prioritized as they are adapted to the local climate.

Organic fruit and vegetables from Es Capell de Ferro farm.

HEALTH

These farms use less water by prioritizing rainwater harvesting practices, autochthonous breeds and local varieties.

Wildlife corridors are created on the farms to benefit local fauna, with vegetation growing alongside paths and

dry walls. This encourages the presence of birds that act as a form of biological pest control.

Additionally, permanent water sources are created for wildlife to access when there is a lack of rainfall.

Clover growing in a field at Mongofra Nou farm, a multiannual rain-fed cover crop. Flower meadows are essential for the survival of pollinating insects.

NATURE

These types of local production models stimulate the island’s economy and take care of the landscape.

The products have a reduced carbon footprint, thanks to the few kilometres travelled from farm to plate.

Torralbet’s farmers market stall in Ciutadella allows them to sell directly to consumers.

PROXIMITY

In 2004, the first 4 land stewardship agreements were signed with farms on the island of Menorca.

agreements are active in 2021.

4% of the total surface of Menorca is under land stewardship agreement.

A variety of farms and producers take part in the programme.

The evolution of Custòdia Agrària agreements.

A COMMITMENT TO HELP EACH OTHER

In signing land stewardship agreements, farmers commit to a series of sustainable agricultural practices. On the other side of the agreement, GOB Menorca organizes actions and provides farms with different types of support to take steps towards the settled objectives. Agricultural consultancy services on Binibèquer Nou farm.

INVESTING IN THE FARMS

GOB Menorca makes a range of investments on the farms adhered to the programme. These are grouped into 5 action blocks:

1.

HABITAT CONSERVATION

Natural value inventory for each farm, habitat restoration...

3.

BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION

Bioindicator monitoring, creating water sources for wildlife...

5.

RESTORING LANDSCAPES

Waste removal, traditional wild olive tree gate installation...

TO

EACH

IMPROVING SOIL FERTILITY

Soil analysis, consultation services, rotational grazing systems... 2.

4.

IMPROVING WATER RESOURCES

Rain-harvest channel installation, traditional water tank (aljub) restoration using solar energy...

Traditional water tank (aljub) restored on Torralbet farm.

Electric grazing fence on Santa Cecília farm (left). Mobile chicken coop on Binissaida des Barrancons farm (right).

investments have been made on farms adhered to Custòdia Agrària in the last 5 years.

A COMMITMENT TO HELP EACH OTHER

AND CONSULTING

Workshops, seminars and knowledge exchange sessions between farmers and professionals in the agricultural sector are organized. Farmers are supported in the process of implementing new agricultural practices.

21workshops have been organized with farmers and landowners interested in land stewardship over the last 5 years.

GOB Menorca has organised various training and consultation events over the last year.

A COMMITMENT TO HELP EACH OTHER

PRODUCT PROMOTION

We regularly organize actions and events promoting the farm’s products to enhance visibility and increase sales in the local market.

The winner of the monthly giveaway takes home their bundle of sustainable products.

VOLUNTEERING

Since its beginning, GOB Menorca has fostered citizen involvement. Common goals become reality thanks to the joint effort of many.

The philosophy behind land stewardship is based on involving various stakeholders in environmental conservation. Volunteering sessions strengthen these connections as people from different ages and backgrounds come together to give a helping hand.

Volunteering on the farms adhered to Custòdia Agrària Apart from the monthly volunteering session, extra sessions are organised in order to respond to specific needs and unprecedented events, such as damage from extreme weather conditions.

TO

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

GOB Menorca’s environmental education team offers activities for young people.

Activities are offered in schools and high schools all over the island.

Thanks to these activities, young people of all ages can visit farms with land stewardship agreements and experience first-hand what it is like to work in the countryside.

Environmental education activity on Algendaret Nou farm.

Environmental education activity on Turmadèn des Capità farm.

Experiential learning is a key part of environmental education.

A COMMITMENT TO HELP EACH OTHER

ACKNOWLEDGING KEY PLAYERS

GOB Menorca’s main objective is to achieve an economic model compatible with environmental values. Food production and consumption are crucial elements in this equation.

A trip to s’Hort de Matadones farm.

A visit to Binitord wineries.

The release of a red kite on Binissaida des Barrancons farm.

The release of a common kestrel on Mongofra Nou farm.

Among other events, GOB Menorca organizes farm visits and volunteer sessions where birds are released back into the wild after recovering from injury at the Recuperation Centre for wild animals. This is one way in which the role of farmers and landowners in environmental conservation is rightfully ack nowledged and appreciated in a celebratory act.

TO HELP EACH OTHER

INFLUENCING POLICY AND DECISION-MAKING

GOB Menorca works tirelessly with institutions and governmental bodies ensuring decisions affecting public life include a nature conservation perspective.

The organization has been working over many years in collaboration with other entities and platforms in order to achieve desired policy outcomes.

The Sustainability Agora: an artistic and cultural event focusing on the relationship between land stewardship and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Lectures on Custòdia Agrària are organised as part of a variety of seminars, congress meetings and gatherings.

CONTINUOUSLY IMPROVING THE PROGRAMME

Custòdia Agrària is constantly evolving.

GOB Menorca periodically reviews work with the adhered farms and takes feedback into account. Research and networking for innovation and development ensures the programme remains effective.

Freshly threshed oats from Menorca.

GOB Menorca is a member of several local, regional, national and international networks:

Traditional wild olive tree gate located on Es Capell de Ferro farm. These gates are a sustainable choice for farmers as they are built with local and abundant material (ullastre wood) and are part of the cultural heritage of the island.

CONTINUOUSLY IMPROVING THE PROGRAMME

Environmental values are fostered on farms adhered to Custòdia Agrària by carrying out habitat inventories and monitoring the botanical and ornithological value of the land.

In this way, the farmland is categorized and restoration and rehabilitation actions can be defined.

From top to bottom: Curruca melanocephala Vanessa atalanta Testudo hermanni Trifolium campestre

Monitoring biological indicators and biodiversity levels allows us to evaluate the effectiveness of newly adopted agricultural practices on the farms.

By maintaining flourishing and healthy ecosystems, the species that depend on them are protected.

Reduction of pesticide and herbicide use

Pollinator-friendly wildflower areas

Maintenance of: forested areas dry wall wetlands wild vegetation Varieties and breeds adapted to the local climate

Crop rotations

Wild pasture meadows

A PROJECT

PEOPLE MAKE POSSIBLE

The team behind Custòdia Agrària

GOB Menorca is an environmental non-profit organization working on the island since 1977.

Volunteers spread organic mulch around the fig trees on Molí de Baix farm.

Restoring fig trees and protective structures on Binibèquer Nou farm (left) and restoring erons on Turmadèn des Capità farm (centre).

Without our supporters and volunteers, our work would not be possible.

Members, volunteers, companies, organizations and individual donors cooperate by providing financial support or by taking part in our actions.

The Custòdia Agrària programme is made possible thanks to funding from foundations, private and public donors and public grants.

Financial support is translated into concrete projects that share the aim of changing the production model on the island for the better and inspire other places to do the same.

A PROJECT PEOPLE MAKE POSSIBLE

Construction of the Sustainability Agora.

Field of Menorcan Oats on Talatí de Dalt farm.

The evolution of Custòdia Agrària agreements .

A PROJECT PEOPLE MAKE POSSIBLE

Land stewardship is a route towards an environmentally and financially sustainable society. In order to continue our work, we need your support.

This report is printed on Coral Book paper from sustainably managed forests under FSC certification. Chlorine has not been used during the bleaching process.