ICNF — Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests

Find out how the ICNF uses data from BUPi to equip the territory with tools to combat rural wildfires.

What is the ICNF?

The ICNF manages Portugal’s natural and forest heritage, engaging stakeholders in territorial development through nature conservation and forest management initiatives.

The process

The ICNF is currently carrying out a €120 million project to establish a primary network of fuel management strips.
This project will help make the territory more resilient to the rural wildfires that so often affect Portugal.

What changed with BUPi?

ince these fuel management strips will mostly cross private land, having access to detailed information is essential.

The integration of BUPi into the Geographic Information System (GIS) allows the ICNF to determine property limits and identify landowners. With this information, the Institute is able to contact owners regarding compensation for the use of their land for these fuel management corridors.

Beyond this specific project, the ICNF uses GIS to monitor and protect natural resources, planning conservation interventions and actions with greater precision.

“What BUPi gave us was the ability to know who the landowners are and where the property limits are, so that we can contact them to provide compensation, since their land will be crossed by these fuel break strips.”

Paulo Salsa
ICNF