Project LIFE Bears with future

The Project LIFE Bears with future “Improving key food resources and preventing winter conflicts for Cantabrian brown bears under climate change scenarios” – LIFE19 NAT/ES/000913 – has been developed under the coordination of the Brown Bear Foundation from October 2020 to March 2025. The associated beneficiaries of the project have been the Biodiversity Foundation, dependent on the Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, and the Natural Heritage Foundation of Castilla y León, dependent on the Castilla y León Regional Government. The Government of Asturias and the Castilla y León Regional Government have collaborated in the project, and the Government of Asturias has also contributed to the co-financing.  Tierra Pura Foundation collaborated technically and co-financed the project.

Access the project's Layman Report here

Cantabrian brown bears and climate change

Different climate prediction models and the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change foresee a 15% decrease in rainfall and an up to 4°C increase in temperature in the Cantabrian mountains by the end of the century. Similarly, regional climate change scenarios for Spain predict that by around 2040, winter temperatures in the high mountain areas will have risen by about 2°C, with this increase particularly notable in November and March, which, in all probability, will contribute towards lower rainfall/snowfall, even more than has already been detected in meteorological stations.

  • Climate change affects the brown bear, both ecologically and physiologically, especially with regard to hibernation

    The scientific literature indicates that brown bears will become more active in winter, given that hibernation times will shorten. It appears that temperature has a greater effect on hibernation than food availability and in warmer winters bear enter into hibernation later and emerge earlier as well. Consequently, global warming favours the situation of bears hibernating less, or even not at all. In parallel with greater winter bear activity, human outdoor recreational activities are also increasing, especially in winter as a consequence of the warmer conditions and are predicted to increase further given forecasts of further warming. This convergence of presence may increase the possibility of bear encounters with humans.

  • Food availability and the production of tree and shrub fruits

    Furthermore, changes in feeding patterns associated with climate change have already been noted in the Cantabrian mountains over the past few decades. Some plant species particularly susceptible to climate change, such as the bilberry, have lost their significance in the Cantabrian brown bear diet, possibly due to the growing irregularity in their fruiting patterns, while others, including cherry and alder buckthorn, appear to have increased in importance. The sweet chestnut can be considered as a key resource during the autumn fattening period in many areas due to the greater consistency in its fruiting pattern and given that the predicted climate change may favour its growth and fruiting in certain specific areas.

Objectives and actions of the project

The general objective of the project is to improve the adaptability of the brown bear to climate change in the Cantabrian Mountains allowing the achievement of a favourable conservation status of the species in the medium and long term, with an ecosystem-based approach, promoting best practices and solutions that favour the expansion of bear trophic resources and the prevention of human-bear conflicts.

  • ACTIONS OF THE PROJECT

    A1. Signature of agreements with local administrations, sectoral organizations and landowners

    A2. Identification of action areas and technical planning of plantations and forest treatments

    A3. Climate change vulnerability assessment of brown bear critical areas in the Cantabrian Mountains

    B1. Land purchase for the development of activities to improve chestnut trees and forest plantations

    C1 Plantation of fruit trees to increase bear trophic availability

    C2 Plantation of autochthonous chestnuts varieties to increase bear trophic availability

    C3 Restoration and treatment of abandoned chestnut forests to increase fruit production and climatic resilience

    D1. Monitoring the effectiveness of tree plantations and chestnut restoration treatments

    D2. Measuring the impact of the project and monitoring the Key Project level indicators

    D3. Evaluation of the socio-economic impact of the project

    D4. Monitoring the impact of the project on ecosystem services

    E1. Dissemination activities for the general public and networking

    E2. Information, training and awareness of social actors and interest groups.

    E3. Strategy of replicability and transferability of the lessons learned in the project

    F1. Overall Project management

  • SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

    1. Contribute to the improvement of trophic availability in climate change scenarios by planting, treating or improving small forests of autochthonous species that produce fruits for the bears from summer to winter and have low climate vulnerability, to compensate for the foreseen reduction in other trophic resources.
    2. Inform and raise awareness between the stakeholders involved in potential conflicts with bears less prone to hibernate, providing advice and guidance for the development of winter activities in bear areas.
    3. Disseminate information and best practices generated in the project, contributing to the adaptation of the bear management to the expected impacts of climate and social change and facilitating the development of integrated adaptation and nature-based strategies by key stakeholders in these territories.

Project area

The project LIFE Bears with future is being developed between October 2020 and March 2025. The main conservation actions are carried out in 8 areas of the Natura 2000 Network: Peña Ubiña (ES1200011), Caldoveiro (ES1200012), Montovo-La Mesa (ES1200010), Fuentes del Narcea, Degaña and Ibias (ES1200056) and Somiedo (ES0000054) in Asturias, Alto Sil (ES0000210) and Sierra de los Ancares (ES4130010) in León and Fuentes Carrionas and Fuente Cobre-Montaña Palentina (ES4140011) in Palencia.
Conflict prevention and dissemination actions reach the entire distribution area of ​​the Cantabrian brown bear.

DOWNLOAD MAP

LIFE in action

We continue to champion the exchange of ideas, actions, and experiences in support of coexistence with bears in other European populations

 We continue to champion the exchange of ideas, actions, and experiences in support of coexistence with bears in other European populations 2048 1528 Fundación Oso Pardo

María Párraga, Marina Gaona, and Alicia Madrid, members of the technical and field team of the LIFE Human Bear Coex project coordinated by the FOP, visited the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park in the…

Final review of four years of LIFE ‘Bears with a Future’

 Final review of four years of LIFE ‘Bears with a Future’ 1600 1066 Fundación Oso Pardo

The LIFE ‘Bears with Future’ project has come to a close after more than four years of work, celebrated at an event that brought together all those who contributed to making it possible. The closing…

Science and Conservation: Final review meeting of the Scientific Committee for the LIFE ‘Bears with a Future’ project.

 Science and Conservation: Final review meeting of the Scientific Committee for the LIFE ‘Bears with a Future’ project. 2560 1710 Fundación Oso Pardo

On Thursday, March 6, the fourth meeting of the Scientific Committee of the LIFE project ‘Bears with Future’ was held in Villablino (León). The project is approaching its conclusion on March 31. Participating in this…

The «Hunting Safely in Bear Mountains» campaign has been presented as part of the LIFE project ‘Bears with a Future’.

 The «Hunting Safely in Bear Mountains» campaign has been presented as part of the LIFE project ‘Bears with a Future’. 2560 1920 Fundación Oso Pardo

On Tuesday, February 4th, the Hunting Federations of Asturias, Castile and León, Cantabria, and Galicia, the Biodiversity Foundation, and the Brown Bear Foundation (FOP) presented an information and awareness campaign aimed at hunters at the…

The LIFE ‘Bears with a Future’ project continues working to make the Cantabrian Mountains more habitable for brown bears

 The LIFE ‘Bears with a Future’ project continues working to make the Cantabrian Mountains more habitable for brown bears 2092 1394 Fundación Oso Pardo

The year begins, and at the Brown Bear Foundation (FOP), we are facing the final stretch of our LIFE ‘Bears with a Future’ project — a project through which we are contributing to improve the…

Participating in an international conference on human-bear coexistence in Romania

 Participating in an international conference on human-bear coexistence in Romania 1600 1200 Fundación Oso Pardo

Scientists and experts from a dozen European countries met at the TusnadEcoBear conference in the Carpathian Mountains to exchange experiences, discuss their diverse perspectives and present proposals for the future aimed at improving coexistence between…

Five things you should never do when exploring the mountains of the brown bear

 Five things you should never do when exploring the mountains of the brown bear 2560 1440 Fundación Oso Pardo

With the arrival of spring, the Cantabrian Mountains begin to fill up with visitors, attracted by the beauty of their landscapes and their natural and cultural wealth. Citizens are increasingly appreciating and valuing the natural…

More than 100,000 trees have been planted in northwestern Spain to secure the brown bear’s future food supply

 More than 100,000 trees have been planted in northwestern Spain to secure the brown bear’s future food supply 1920 1080 Fundación Oso Pardo

The Brown Bear Foundation (FOP) continues to work within the framework of the LIFE Bears with Future project to adapt the species’ habitat to climate change. Local work crews will finish the second planting campaign…

Study into the impact of climate change on the wild cherry and its effects on the brown bear. December 2023

 Study into the impact of climate change on the wild cherry and its effects on the brown bear. December 2023 888 500 Fundación Oso Pardo

The climate change crisis will displace wild cherries to areas of higher altitude and this will have effects on the brown bear and other species. This is the principal conclusion of a study, fruit of…

Review of the first plantings campaign of the LIFE Bears with Future project. October 2023

 Review of the first plantings campaign of the LIFE Bears with Future project. October 2023 1000 750 Fundación Oso Pardo

Checks of the tree plantations undertaken between last November and March as part of the first planting campaign of the LIFE Bears with future project, were made during September and October. During these checks, the…

New seed collection of native species of interest to the brown bear. September 2023

 New seed collection of native species of interest to the brown bear. September 2023 1000 750 Fundación Oso Pardo

The new seed collection campaign of the LIFE Bears with Future project was carried out over the whole summer. It commenced in July with the collection of wild cherry (Prunus avium) fruits. Subsequently, in August,…

Activities with the Mycological Associations and Federations of the Cantabrian Mountains. July 2023

 Activities with the Mycological Associations and Federations of the Cantabrian Mountains. July 2023 2560 1881 Fundación Oso Pardo

The LIFE Bears with Future project contemplates celebrating meetings with collectives who undertake recreational activities in bear areas. The objective is to interchange experiences and publicize the recommendations on how to safely move around in…

Experiences interchange with the LIFE ARCPROM project in Pola de Somiedo (Asturias). May 2023

 Experiences interchange with the LIFE ARCPROM project in Pola de Somiedo (Asturias). May 2023 1000 532 Fundación Oso Pardo

From 22 to 26 May 2023 and within the framework of the LIFE Bears with Future project, an international meeting was held in Somiedo (Asturias) with members of the LIFE ARCPROM project, which develops actions…

64,966 trees planted during the first campaign of the LIFE Bears with Future. April 2023

 64,966 trees planted during the first campaign of the LIFE Bears with Future. April 2023 700 525 Fundación Oso Pardo

64,966 trees have been planted on the Alto Sil area of León to improve the habitat for the brown bear under a climate change scenario. April 2023 The first planting campaign of the  Brown Bear…

Press visit to see the LIFE project actions. February 2023

 Press visit to see the LIFE project actions. February 2023 1000 750 Fundación Oso Pardo

On Thursday 16th February, a wide representation of broadcasting media, covering national, regional and local press participated in a session held in the Alto Sil, León, to learn first-hand about the progress of the LIFE…

Signing of collaboration agreements with the hunting federations of Asturias, Cantabria and Castilla y León. December 2023

 Signing of collaboration agreements with the hunting federations of Asturias, Cantabria and Castilla y León. December 2023 1024 622 Fundación Oso Pardo

Within the framework of the LIFE Osos con Futuro project, the Brown Bear Foundation (FOP) has signed collaboration agreements with the hunting federations of Asturias, Castilla y León and Cantabria. The objective in all these…

Signing of collaboration agreements with the mountain sports federations of Asturias, Cantabria and Castilla y León. December 2022

 Signing of collaboration agreements with the mountain sports federations of Asturias, Cantabria and Castilla y León. December 2022 1280 839 Fundación Oso Pardo

Within the framework of the LIFE Osos con Futuro project, the Fundación Oso Pardo (FOP) has signed collaboration agreements with the mountain sports federations of Asturias, Castilla y León and Cantabria. The objective in all…

The project’s first planting campaign commences in the Alto Sil in León. December 2022

 The project’s first planting campaign commences in the Alto Sil in León. December 2022 1000 750 Fundación Oso Pardo

The first campaign of trophic enrichment plantations for the brown bear was started on 12 December 2022 in the Alto Sil area of León, within the LIFE Osos con futuro project framework and which by…

Experiences exchange meeting in the French Pyrenees. October 2022

 Experiences exchange meeting in the French Pyrenees. October 2022 1409 992 Fundación Oso Pardo

How can the Pyrenean brown bear population be helped by experiences acquired with the Cantabrian brown bear? With this objective in mind, an exchange meeting with other international brown bear specialists was recently held in…

LIFE Bears with Future returns to the Naturcyl Fair. September 2022

 LIFE Bears with Future returns to the Naturcyl Fair. September 2022 1024 768 Fundación Oso Pardo

The actions of the LIFE Bears with Future project have aroused great interest among visitors to the Castilla y León Ecotourism Fair, Naturcyl, which this year has held its fifth edition between September 23rd and…

Permanent exhibition on LIFE Bears with Future in Valporquero, León. August 2022

 Permanent exhibition on LIFE Bears with Future in Valporquero, León. August 2022 2048 1536 Fundación Oso Pardo

Starting this summer, the informative exhibition “Los osos de Arbolio” that the Fundación Oso Pardo (FOP) maintains permanently next to the Valporquero Cave, in León, incorporates three information panels on the LIFE Bears with Future…

Second cherry seed collection campaign. July 2022.

 Second cherry seed collection campaign. July 2022. 2000 1335 Fundación Oso Pardo

In the month of July 2022, the different Official Seed Sources declared for the collection of cherry (Prunus avium) seeds in León and Asturias were visited to assess the quantity and condition of the fruit…

The advice for visiting the mountains of the brown bear, in a cartoon video. June 2022

 The advice for visiting the mountains of the brown bear, in a cartoon video. June 2022 2560 1440 Fundación Oso Pardo

The project LIFE Bears with Future launches a new cartoon video presenting usefull advice to visit bear mountains that can be helpfull to improve safety of both bears and visitors. It is part of the…

Technical networking and exchange visit with the LIFE Lynxconnect project. May 2022

 Technical networking and exchange visit with the LIFE Lynxconnect project. May 2022 1300 501 Fundación Oso Pardo

As part of the networking actions and exchange of experiences between LIFE projects, in May 2022 two teams of technicians and managers of the Andalusian Government in the LIFE Lynxconnect project have made two visits…

First visit of the external monitoring team to the LIFE Bears with Future. May 2022

 First visit of the external monitoring team to the LIFE Bears with Future. May 2022 1299 769 Fundación Oso Pardo

On May 16 and 17, 2022, the first visit to the project was carried out by the representative of the external monitoring team (NEEMO) of the LIFE projects, with the participation of the project teams…

Technical conferences on project advances and exchange of LIFE experiences. May 2022

 Technical conferences on project advances and exchange of LIFE experiences. May 2022 786 407 Fundación Oso Pardo

Taking advantage of the visits by technical teams from the LIFE Lynxconnect project and other contacts established with other projects, in May 2022 two technical conferences were held to exchange experiences, which were also used…

First chestnut grafting treatment. May 2022

 First chestnut grafting treatment. May 2022 1744 1202 Fundación Oso Pardo

In April and early May 2022, the field team of the LIFE “Bears with Future” project carried out the first forest treatment in chestnut forests corresponding to action C3 of the project. This first action…

First meeting of the scientific committee of the project. March 2022.

 First meeting of the scientific committee of the project. March 2022. 1000 596 Fundación Oso Pardo

On March 2 and 3, the first meeting of the Scientific Committee of the LIFE Bears with Future project was held in Villablino (León). The researchers and experts participating in the meeting have been Pedro…

Progress in the preparation of the chestnut plants at the La Mata Forest Nursery in the Principality of Asturias. February 2022

 Progress in the preparation of the chestnut plants at the La Mata Forest Nursery in the Principality of Asturias. February 2022 800 600 Fundación Oso Pardo

The work team of the La Mata Forest Nursery (Grado, Asturias), dependent on the Principality of Asturias, has recently finished sowing the chestnuts collected last autumn in various Asturian official seed sources for the production…

Identification and genetic characterization of ancient chestnut trees to obtain plant material of local varieties. December 2021

 Identification and genetic characterization of ancient chestnut trees to obtain plant material of local varieties. December 2021 800 520 Fundación Oso Pardo

The LIFE Bears with Future project is going to plant 25,000 chestnut trees in bear areas in the Cantabrian Mountains to improve fruit production for the bear and biodiversity in general, contributing to the promotion…

Participation in the AMYBEAR international conference “Bear-human coexistence”. November 2021

 Participation in the AMYBEAR international conference “Bear-human coexistence”. November 2021 1080 1079 Fundación Oso Pardo

On November 15 and 16, 2021, the final conference of the LIFE Amybear project “Improving Human-Bear Coexistence Conditions in the Municipality of Amyntaio” was held, combining a meeting in Amyntaio (Greece) and the online participation…

Networking and exchange of experiences before the arrival of the bear in Portugal. October 2021

 Networking and exchange of experiences before the arrival of the bear in Portugal. October 2021 1225 950 Fundación Oso Pardo

On October 28 and 29, 2021, the networking event «What if the brown bear returns?» (www.ursopardo.pt) has been celebrated in Bragança (Portugal) with a meeting and exchange of experiences whose main objective has been to…

LIFE Bears with Future at the Naturcyl Ecotourism Fair. September 2021

 LIFE Bears with Future at the Naturcyl Ecotourism Fair. September 2021 700 480 Fundación Oso Pardo

Between September 24 and 26, the fourth edition of the Castilla y León International Ecotourism Fair, NATURCYL, was held in the town of Ruesga, in the Montaña Palentina. The Brown Bear Foundation (FOP) has participated…

First collection campaign of Alder Buckthorn seeds. September 2021

 First collection campaign of Alder Buckthorn seeds. September 2021 1149 843 Fundación Oso Pardo

The Alder Buckthorn (Frangula alnus) is a deciduous shrub or tree that produces fleshy fruits that are highly valued by the brown bear and other frugivorous species. It generally appears in riparian forests, fresh hedges,…

Collection of field data for the climate change vulnerability analysis of fruit plant species important for the bear. August 2021

 Collection of field data for the climate change vulnerability analysis of fruit plant species important for the bear. August 2021 1600 1256 Fundación Oso Pardo

Since the beginning of the project ‘LIFE Bears with Future’, but especially since spring 2021, the project’s field team has been collecting data on the species of trees and shrubs that produce fleshy fruits of…

Agreement for the preparation of chestnut plants grafted with local varieties in La Mata Forest Nursery (Principado de Asturias). June 2021

 Agreement for the preparation of chestnut plants grafted with local varieties in La Mata Forest Nursery (Principado de Asturias). June 2021 2560 1469 Fundación Oso Pardo

After several meetings and preparatory work, on June 15, 2021 a working meeting was held at La Mata Forest Nursery (Grado, Asturias) for the organization and preparation of the chestnut plant production campaign for the…

First cherry seed campaign collection. June 2021

 First cherry seed campaign collection. June 2021 3680 2760 Fundación Oso Pardo

One of the main species to be planted in the trophic enrichment forests foreseen in the ‘LIFE Bears with Future’ project is the cherry tree (Prunus avium). To begin with the production of locally sourced…

Presentation of the “Bears with Future” LIFE Project. March 2021

 Presentation of the “Bears with Future” LIFE Project. March 2021 500 281 Fundación Oso Pardo

The “Bears with Future” LIFE Project, with the objective of facilitating the adaptation of the brown bear to climate change, was presented to the media on 11th March. The project’s actions, co-financed by the European…

Documentation

Downloadable Layman Report

DOWNLOAD

Layman Report

ACCESS HERE

Summary of the LIFE Bears with Future

DOWNLOAD

Project area

DOWNLOAD

Project Brochure

DOWNLOAD

Project roll up

DOWNLOAD

Exhibition panels at the Valporquero Cave

DOWNLOAD

Video ``Advice in bear areas``

Watch the video

Infographic: The work with chestnut trees

DOWNLOAD

Infographic: Climate change and wildfires in bear areas

DOWNLOAD

Infographic: Collecting fungi in bear areas

DOWNLOAD

Infographic: Winter sports in bear areas

DOWNLOAD

Infographic: Advise for wildlife photograpers

DOWNLOAD

Special newsletter in Quercus Magazine (Spanish)

DOWNLOAD

Infographic: Hunting in bear areas

DOWNLOAD

Video ``Hunting in bear areas``

DOWNLOAD

This website has been made with the contribution of the LIFE Programme of the European Union.
The information included in this website reflects only the view of the LIFE Bears with future beneficiaries. Neither the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) nor the European Commission are responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.

Suscríbete a nuestro Boletín

FUNDACIÓN OSO PARDO
c/ San Luis 17 4ºA. 39010, Santander,
Cantabria. España

Tel: 942 23 49 00

E-mail: fop@fundacionosopardo.org

Suscríbete a nuestro Boletín

Suscríbete a nuestro Boletín

FUNDACIÓN OSO PARDO
c/ San Luis 17 4ºA.
39010 Santander – Cantabria (España)

Tel: 942 23 49 00
Fax: 942 23 50 48
E-mail: fop@fundacionosopardo.org

Suscríbete a nuestro Boletín

© 2025 FUNDACIÓN OSO PARDO

PRIVACY POLICY | COOKIES POLICY | LEGAL NOTICE

© 2023 FUNDACIÓN OSO PARDO

PRIVACY POLICY
COOKIES POLICY
LEGAL NOTICE

© 2022 FUNDACIÓN OSO PARDO

PRIVACY POLICY
COOKIES POLICY
LEGAL NOTICE

Escribe aquí tu búsqueda
WordPress Image Lightbox Plugin