A sower went out to sow
  • Green
  • Serra da Arada, Portugal

A sower went out to sow

Through this campaign, MONTIS wants the jays to sow oak trees on their properties.

  • 2680

    raised

    117% of 2 300€

    115 backers

  • 15/12/2017

    Expired on

  • Completed

    This project has been successfully funded

Through this campaign, MONTIS wants the jays to sow oak trees on their properties.

Through this campaign, MONTIS intends to develop an acorn seeding program that takes advantage of the jays' behaviour.

Jays collect and store acorns within a range of five kilometres or more. It is thought that they choose the largest and best ones, and a single jay may hide 3 to 5 thousand acorns over the period of one winter. They "forget" many of them, and when the acorns germinate, the cotyledons are used to feed the young in springtime.  They seem to choose the best spots to hide them, often without reach of humans.

We consider it especially interesting to use natural processes in order to reinforce the expansion of oak forests, drawing on the behaviour of a bird species to perform seeding in a very inexpensive way that is easy to replicate by anyone.

This is a simple technique that consists of placing acorn-filled trays in locations where one wishes to increase the number of oak trees. The trays are designed to be inaccessible to rodents and other animals. The use of the trays by the jays varies; therefore, the project includes buying some photo trapping cameras that will collect information about the conditions that appear more favourable. This campaign aims to prepare its application in all of Montis' properties by the autumn of 2018.

Beyond the actual conservation effects, Montis intends to use this technique in order to involve common people in the collection and placement of acorns in the trays, thus increasing the contact and knowledge about interactions in the natural world, demonstrating the utility of the various elements that are present in ecosystems, and the advantage of having naturalised systems that are as diverse and complex as possible.

Any money raised that exceeds the amount set for the campaign will be applied in the post-fire recovery of the Vouga-Caramulo Natural Park.

Conservation actions:

- Creation and placement of trays

- Collection and placement of acorns on trays

Direct management and training activities:

- 4 Voluntary weekends: 20 persons, 2 days, 1 night

Instalação de tabuleiro

About the author

MONTIS - Nature Conservation Association is a non-profit, Nongovernmental Organisation, operating on a national level. With a head office in Vouzela, Viseu, its core aim is to manage territories, with a special focus on conservation of natural values, and with its activity concentrated especially on the mountains that surround the Vouga river but also in other areas of the Portuguese territory. Currently, MONTIS features around 350 members, who pay an annual membership fee of 20€.

The main targets of this association include ensuring the development of natural processes, promoting the conservation of indigenous species, managing forest fires and other natural hazards in an intelligent way, increasing simultaneously biodiversity's market value.

The involvement of common people in the management of biodiversity, associated with the effort of transparency and communication, including direct verification of results, on location, by visitation, are Montis' core action mechanisms that can be greatly reinforced by the development of this type of project.

A caminho da montagem

Budget and due dates

Budget

  • 10 platforms: 500 €

Includes maintenance and replacement of damaged platforms.

  • 4 trapping rooms: 800 €

Includes acquisition costs, shipping costs and associated consumables.

Project management: € 660
- Includes:

  • Visits to the properties under Montis management (2x per month, for 6 months), for maintenance of the platform and renovation of acorns
  • Acquisition and storage of acorns;
  • Maintenance of trapping rooms;
  • Volunteer weekend for the collection and application of acorns (including people with disabilities without major mobility limitations).

Deadlines

19 days - 27 November to 15 December 2017
 

  • Invest with
    5€ or more

    Voucher

    Voucher, for the same amount, to participate in future Montis activities that are paid (i.e Seminars, Workshop). Annual, digital report, indicating the actions and results obtained with the management of the land.

    22 backers

  • Invest with
    10€ or more

    Voucher

    Voucher, for the same amount, to participate in future Montis activities that are paid (i.e Seminars, Workshop). Annual, digital report, indicating the actions and results obtained with the management of the land.

    55 backers

  • Invest with
    25€ or more

    Field trip

    A field trip with Montis' team to participate in their field work. Annual, digital report, indicating the actions and results obtained with the management of the land.

    18 backers

  • Invest with
    50€ or more

    Upstream trip of a mountain river

    An upstream trip along one of the mountain rivers, half-day, with the support of knowledgeable guides, for a group of up to 5 persons. Annual, digital report, indicating the actions and results obtained with the management of the land.

    23 backers

  • Invest with
    150€ or more

    Upstream trip of a mountain river or field trip

    An upstream trip along one of the mountain rivers, half-day, with the support of knowledgeable guides, for a group of up to 15 persons OR A field day with acorn collection, for a group of up to 15 persons, compatible with the abilities of disabled persons. Annual, digital report, indicating the actions and results obtained with the management of the land.

    No backers yet. Be the first one!

  • Invest with
    300€ or more

    Upstream trip of a mountain river or training programme or field trip

    An upstream trip along one of the mountain rivers for a group of up to 30 persons, accompanied by knowledgeable guides OR Exclusive training programme for 5 participants OR A field day with acorn collection, for a group of up to 30 persons, compatible with the abilities of disabled persons. Annual, digital report, indicating the actions and results obtained with the management of the land.

    No backers yet. Be the first one!

  • Invest with
    500€ or more

    Foto tour or team building action

    One weekend photo tour (with photographer João Cosme) for 5 participants. (Includes lunches and accommodation) OR Team building action for a maximum of 50 participants. Annual, digital report, indicating the actions and results obtained with the management of the land.

    No backers yet. Be the first one!

Fri, 29/03/2024 - 01:50

Tue, 19/12/2017 - 10:05

Muito obrigado!

Muito obrigado! A campanha “Sai o que semeia a semear” terminou no passado dia 15 de Dezembro e foi um sucesso, o que apenas foi possível graças a todos os apoiantes. O nosso...

Read more

Mon, 18/12/2017 - 11:00

Payout completed

The raised funds have been transferred to the campaign owner

15/12/2017

Campaign ended

The campaign successfully raised the initial target

Campaign launched

27/11/2017

Join us so you can take a part in this campaign. Register

  • Montis - Associação de Conservação de Natureza

    Muito obrigado!

    Muito obrigado!

    A campanha “Sai o que semeia a semear” terminou no passado dia 15 de Dezembro e foi um sucesso, o que apenas foi possível graças a todos os apoiantes. O nosso muito obrigado pela sua contribuição.

    Os gaios agradecerão mais lá para a frente, quando as bolotas escondidas se tornarem em carvalhos.

    O balanço é um total de 2 680 €, o que representa 117 % do valor necessário para o projeto, o qual agradecemos a todos os que apoiaram, direta ou indiretamente a campanha.

    Ao atingirmos o valor de 2 300 €, garantimos a execução do valor do programa de sementeira de bolotas tirando partido do comportamento dos gaios. Estes tabuleiros estarão no terreno a tempo do próximo Outono, com bolotas acabadas de apanhar.

    Com este sucesso e na sequência do previsto na campanha, os 17% que excedem o valor do projeto, e que correspondem a 380 €, serão aplicados na recuperação pós-fogo do Parque Natural Vouga-Caramulo.

    Mais uma vez obrigado.

    Montis – Associação de Conservação da Natureza

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