“La Rinconada” Farm, located in Mérida (Badajoz, Spain), hosted the IV Best Practice Transfer Workshop, focusing on ecosystem services associated with livestock farming. The event brought together professionals and stakeholders interested in the sustainable management of the dehesa-montado ecosystem to exchange knowledge, methodologies and practical experiences on its conservation and enhancement.
The workshop began with a welcome session and participant introductions in a particularly inspiring atmosphere, accompanied by live music performed by some of the attendees. This initiative encouraged everyone to connect with nature from the very beginning of the event. The session continued with a presentation of the methodological framework for assessing ecosystem services linked to livestock farming, providing participants with the theoretical basis needed to understand their role in sustainable land management.
During the guided visit to the farm, participants had the opportunity to observe first-hand the site’s characteristics and the management practices that contribute to the conservation of the dehesa-montado ecosystem.
In the afternoon, a practical field workshop on ecosystem services was led by Gonzalo Palomo and Laura Peña from ACTYVA Soc. Coop. Using a participatory approach, participants applied ecosystem service assessment tools directly in the field and learned how to interpret the different components of the ecosystem, including soil condition, tree cover, pasture quality and the ecological interactions that sustain the balance of the dehesa-montado.
The workshop highlighted the dehesa-montado as one of Europe’s richest biodiversity hotspots and emphasised the importance of integrating livestock production with the conservation of natural heritage. “La Rinconada” Farm was also presented as an outstanding example of sustainable land management, combining organic farming with research, training, environmental awareness activities and public outreach.
The event concluded with a discussion and knowledge-sharing session among participants, reinforcing its role as a valuable platform for collaborative learning and the transfer of best practices aimed at promoting more sustainable and resilient management models.
We would like to thank the hosts for their warm welcome and all participants for their interest, commitment and active involvement throughout the workshop.
Workshop organised by ACTYVA Soc. Coop.
