CONTRIBUTION
Founded in 1981, GREFA’s membership is made up of naturalists, biologists and veterinary professionals, alongside numerous volunteers.
In its 35-year existence, it has successfully recovered cinereous vulture colonies extinct for more than 60 years in the provinces of Lleida and Burgos, as well as a Bonelli’s eagle population in Mallorca, where the bird had not been seen for 40 years. It has also bred 3,700 specimens of threatened species, later freed into the wild; opened up biological corridors for the lesser kestrel; and reintroduced the golden eagle to the Galicia region. Its vets have treated 54,000 animals in the Autochthonous Wildlife Hospital in Majadahonda (Madrid), an effort that has called for close collaboration with nature protection agents and local authorities, as well as the involvement of citizens who report the discovery of injured animals.
The jury also made reference to the organization’s broad-ranging environmental education program, which includes welcoming over 11,000 visitors a year to its “Naturaleza Viva” center. At the time of writing, GREFA has over 2,400 members.