The progressive deterioration of natural ecosystems and the extinction of species is one of the three biggest environmental problems worldwide. The model of human development has always been based in the exploitation of natural resources, but since the industrial revolution this exploitation has been going beyond the limits of sustainability even jeopardizing the very viability of many human activities. Alteration and destruction of habitats, over-exploitation of natural resources and biodiversity loss are the serious symptoms of a sick planet in which if there is no room for nature there will neither be for men.

The Iberian Peninsula is one of those last redoubts for wildlife which exist in the planet and it is inhabited by unique species and ecosystems. The richness, diversity and singularity of the Iberian natural heritage is only comparable to the cultural one, and therefore the primary tasks for everyone should be its protection and halting the degradation to which it is increasingly being subject to.

From the Area of Nature Conservation of Ecologistas en Acción we develop all kinds of actions with the objectives of valuing the importance of respecting the natural environment, halting the current process of species extinction, achieving the conservation and restoration of natural spaces, mainly of the most threatened ecosystems, making the animals rights be respected and avoiding the negative consequences of the most impacting human activities.

In order to do that, we carry on-site studies, report the aggressions against nature, develop campaigns of protection of species or specific spaces, work to offer alternatives to the actions which generate environmental problems and collaborate with social organizations whenever the case requires it.

The Area of Nature Conservation currently develops four priority working lines:

- Species conservation: We work in the conservation of emblematic species as they are “in danger of extinction” and are bioindicators of the general state of nature. It's the case of the Iberian lynx campaign, species whose conservation also benefits numerous less known species and natural systems. We also work to eradicate the main non-natural mortality causes of wild species, such as the use of poisoned baits, electrocution and collision of birds in electrical installations.

- Protection of natural spaces: the priorities are promoting the development and conservation of the Natura 2000 Network and the Protected Natural Spaces Network, National Parks among them. Moreover, we work to prevent the degradation of particularly fragile natural systems such as wetlands, forests, steppes and mountain areas.

- Forestry management: We actively participate in the improvement of forestry planning and legislation and collaborate in the fight against forest fires. We try to foster the implementation of forestry management systems and, in that line, we support the development of the FSC forestry certification system.

- Animal rights: We consider that all animals have intrinsic rights which must be recognized and respected and in order to achieve this we develop awareness and denunciation campaigns. The last one was regarding the situation of animals in zoos.