Long Distance Non Motorized routes such as Green Infrastructures

The general objective of the Steps for LIFE project is to transform cultural and tourism infrastructures (LDNMW) into multifunctional green infrastructures (GIs), integrating conservation and improvement of biodiversity, optimising ecological connectivity, providing ecosystem services and raising awareness of tourists. This is consistent with the general design principles of GIs, understood as a network of ecologically connected natural and semi-natural sites, and able to become ecological corridors that are part of the Trans-European Nature Network (EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030). With this, it is intended to link the objectives of biodiversity conservation, culture, human health and recreation in natural environments through a multifunctional GI (ecological, cultural and tourism) functioning as an ecological corridor providing a profitable return on investment. This transformation will serve as a basis to be replicated in other LDNMRs in Europe. Thus, it is proposed to work on two levels: concrete actions in two LDNMRs in two countries, and strategic actions for replication.At the territorial level, it is intended to:* Improve internal ecological connectivity of each LDNMR to act as ecological corridors, by connecting different natural areas of interest through ‘stepping stones’;* Improve the conservation status of habitats and species that are most threatened, scarce or of greatest conservation interest;* Ensure that the thousands of tourists who travel these routes annually and the inhabitants of the regions know the importance of ecological connectivity and the concept of GI;* Improve the ecosystem services provided (e.g. habitat, climate change adaptation, cultural services, recreation and health).At a strategic and European level it is intended to:* Provide technical tools to LDNMR managers across Europe to guide managers towards the principles of GI for existing routes and in the design and marking of new ones;* Create and stimulate a forum of LDNMR managers at a European level to exchange experiences, share methodologies and promote management of LDNMRs as GIs.On the social level, the project team aims to align cultural, tourist and nature aspects so that territorial policies are profitable. They will work with local producers, so that they assume the conservation of biodiversity as part of their work.The project is in line with the EU Habitats Directive and Bird Directive; 7th EU Environment Action Programme (EAP) to 2020 (priority objectives 1, 3 and 7); 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.Expected results:­ Drafting, approval and implementation of Strategic Plans;­ Creation of 300 stepping stones (100 in countryside, 140 in forests and 60 aquatic) and restoration of alluvial forests (habitat 91E0);­ Checked genetic exchange between specimens of target species. Presence of target species in at least 50% of stepping stones and populations improved by 15% at the end of the project for at least half of the species;­ Improvement of 6.5 ha of estuarine systems;­ Improvement of 6 ha of oak or oak-hornbeam forests (habitat 9160);­ Creation of 5 new grey partridge groups;­ Protection of the breeding and wintering area of Miniopterus screibersii and other troglobian (cave dwelling) bats;­ An increase in maximum staff of 35% is expected;­ Decrease of 35% of attacks to apiaries and 20 apiaries protected. Disappearance of dangerous encounters between bears and humans;­ Elimination of non-native species in the Lebaniego Way and Way of St. James environment­ Become a European reference in the LDNMR sector, known to all citizens of the working regions;­ Participation of more than 2 500 schoolchildren in field days, transmitting to them the message of the multifunctionality of GIs and the value of the biodiversity on each route;­ Involvement of 600 people on guided visits. Interpretive signalling of the main habitats crossed (50 posters), at least 6 new interpretative areas, 1 000 downloads of App;­ Creation of the networking forum BioTrailNet, with at least 12 members for at least 12 countries. It will continue operating without a time limit after the project is finished;­ Production of a toolkit with all the documentation resulting from the project aimed at managers of LDNMRs to adapt existing routes or design new routes as GI;- At least 3 LDNMRs apply some GI criteria before the end of the project.