The health benefits associated with direct contact with natural environments are largely explained through the ecosystem services provided by forests and natural environments. Due to their close relationship, landscape regeneration practices, such as extensive livestock farming or regenerative agriculture, contribute to these ecosystem services, and therefore to the positive effects on physical well-being – blood pressure, recovery rates after surgery, morbidity or life expectancy -, mental well-being – stress and anxiety levels or degree of life satisfaction -, as well as recovery processes after illness or crisis situations.
On the other hand, the commitment to clean energy or short food supply chains, in addition to measures that favour agroecology or the preservation of ecosystems, lead towards a low-carbon society, with its consequent benefits for the health of people and the planet, which in turn, serve to generate new social, nutritional and mobility dynamics, healthier, as well as business models oriented towards sustainability, with great projection for the future.
In this context, Innogestiona Ambiental participates in different European projects related to the adaptation of extensive livestock farming to climate change, the revitalisation of agroforestry and agricultural habitats or innovation oriented towards sustainability in short and conventional agri-food value chains. We are also working on the development of pilot projects to improve the use of water, energy efficiency and the design of business models and specific training plans that promote sustainable practices in different ecosystems, especially in the dehesa.
In addition to supporting different initiatives to improve the sustainability of extensive and high nature value farming systems and the promotion of biodiversity – promoted by projects in which we participate such as LIFE LiveAdapt, Ovinnova, EU4Shepherds, LIFE Scrubsnet -, we also work on the design and development of projects that promote the sustainable use of water, energy efficiency and the design of business models and specific training plans that promote sustainable practices in different ecosystems, especially in the dehesa, we are working on the design and development of projects that value the ecosystem services associated with extensive farming practices, including carbon sequestration and the positive effects on the health of people living in contact with landscapes such as the dehesa.
On this path towards the sustainability of our habitats, we work on different projects in cooperation with specialised entities such as the Platform for Extensive Livestock Farming, the Monte Mediterráneo Foundation, CESEFOR, the universities of Extremadura, Córdoba and Évora, the Spanish Federation of the Dehesa, the Entretantos Foundation, the CSIC and many others with whom we share a commitment to sustainable landscape management, from both a socio-economic and environmental perspective, linked to extensive farming practices, respectful of natural cycles, the efficient use of resources, without neglecting the cultural components and traditions linked to these landscapes (cultural and natural heritage).
At Innogestiona, we work with the conviction that the adaptation of extensive livestock farming to climate change, the revitalisation of degraded habitats, research into the positive effects of ecosystems on people’s health or the carbon sequestration capacity of pasture systems, are some of the aspects that will allow us to promote new business models for the production of quality food, and more favourable environments for healthy lifestyles for people and the environment.
Photo by Rebe Pascual on Unsplash
