Fundació Emys
Fundació Emys is a Catalan non-profit foundation dedicated to wetland conservation, managing 1,552 hectares across 42 land custody agreements and 30+ years of continuous European pond turtle monitoring, serving municipalities, landowners, schools, and individual donors through grants, donations, and ecological products.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1987
- HeadquartersRiudarenes, Spain
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Fundació Emys does
Fundació Emys is a private non-profit foundation (Fundació Privada Emys) headquartered at the Can Moragues rural estate in Riudarenes, Girona, Catalonia, Spain. Founded in 1987 as ADEPAR and formally established as Fundació Emys in 2003, the organization is dedicated to the conservation of natural heritage, with a primary focus on wetland ecosystems and the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis). Its activities span five working areas: Conservation, Sustainable Management, Education and Volunteering, Public Use, and Green Economy. The foundation runs the longest continuous population monitoring of Emys orbicularis in the world (>30 years, >1,400 individuals censused), manages 1,552 hectares across 42 land custody agreements, and operates a seed bank preserving 100+ local agricultural varieties.
The organization earns revenue through a diversified non-profit model: individual donations and corporate sponsorships (including 1% For the Planet members), EU and national project grants (LIFE, FEDER, Generalitat de Catalunya, Diputació de Girona), a 0.5% IBI municipal tax allocation program now active in 7 municipalities, sales of ecological products at the Botiga Emys shop and El Rebost de Can Moragues restaurant, and fee-based professional services such as environmental consulting, carrying capacity studies, and the 80-hour Environmental Interpreters course. Core products include the Apadrina una tortuga (Turtle Sponsorship) program, the Curs d'Informadors Ambientals training program, and the Banc de Llavors de La Selva seed bank. The organization is governed by a Patronat (Board of Trustees) chaired by Maria Trias, with Ivette Casadevall Cufí serving as Director, and a staff of 18 organized across functional areas.
Fundació Emys operates through a community-led engagement model, leveraging volunteer networks, citizen science, and partnerships with municipalities, universities (Universitat de Girona, Universitat de Barcelona, UAB), research institutes (EcoAqua/GRECO, CTFC, Creaf), and peer foundations (Fundació Barcelona Zoo, Fundació Astres, Fundació Trenca, SEO Birdlife). Its distribution channels include direct service delivery to municipalities and landowners, an online and physical retail presence at Can Moragues, and digital outreach through a blog, newsletter, and social media (LinkedIn, Instagram, X, Facebook). No AI/ML capabilities, API integrations, or software products are evident; the technical moat is grounded in empirical ecological monitoring, methodological precedents (the first Catalan land custody agreement in 1989), and a deep multi-stakeholder ecosystem.
Fundació Emys firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Fundació Emys
- Legal name
- Fundació Privada Emys
- Website
- https://fundacioemys.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1987
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Fundació Emys is a Catalan non-profit foundation dedicated to wetland conservation, managing 1,552 hectares across 42 land custody agreements and 30+ years of continuous European pond turtle monitoring, serving municipalities, landowners, schools, and individual donors through grants, donations, and ecological products.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Fundació Emys industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Environmental Conservation Services
- NAICS
- Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sanctuaries & Long-Term Care (Farm, Equine, Exotic) (BPAGAIAH)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Parks & Reserves (Visitor Operations) (THAAAAAG)
Keywords
Where Fundació Emys is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Riudarenes
- HQ country
- Spain
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Fundació Emys business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Donations and Sponsorships: Individual donations with tax deductions (35-75% IRPF deduction in Spain), corporate sponsorships through 1% For the Planet membership, and patron support from individual benefactors.
- Green Economy Products: Sales of ecological products including jams, sauces from Can Moragues, fresh produce from farmers in custody agreements, and restaurant services at El Rebost de Can Moragues.
- Environmental Services: Professional services including environmental consulting, sustainable forestry and agricultural management, public use planning, environmental education activities, fauna and flora studies, and natural space restoration.
- Project Grants: European funding (LIFE projects, FEDER), government grants from Generalitat de Catalunya, provincial funding from Diputació de Girona, and municipal contributions through 0.5% IBI initiative.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | One-time | Environmental Interpreter Course - 80 hours |
| Unit Pricing | One-time | Turtle Adoption Program |
| Other | One-time | General Donations |
| Other | Other | Volunteer Participation |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Fundació Emys product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Fundació Emys is a non-profit foundation dedicated to the conservation of nature, especially wetlands and the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis), through research, land custody, sustainable management, environmental education, and a green economy built around ecological products from custody farmers. It sells ecological products (jams, sauces, fresh produce) and consulting services, and operates the Can Moragues estate as a demonstration, education, and visitor center.
Product overview
Fundació Emys operates as a non-profit nature conservation organization with a diverse portfolio of interconnected products and services. The core offering centers on conservation of wetlands and the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis), supported by five working areas: Conservation, Sustainable Management, Education, Public Use, and Green Economy. The product ecosystem includes the Botiga Emys ecological shop and El Rebost de Can Moragues restaurant as retail outlets for products from custody farmers, complemented by Melmelades i Conserves ecològiques Can Moragues (jams and sauces) produced in partnership with Fundació Astres. The Banc de Llavors de La Selva seed bank preserves agricultural biodiversity, while the Espai Can Moragues serves as the foundation's headquarters and visitor center. Educational offerings include environmental education activities, the Curs d'Informadors Ambientals training program, and the turtle sponsorship program (Apadrina una tortuga). Professional services encompass environmental consulting, project development, and land management services. These products work together to advance the foundation's mission of long-term biodiversity conservation through community engagement, sustainable agriculture, and environmental education.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- El Rebost de Can Moragues: A restaurant and ecological shop that sells and serves products from farmers in custody agreements, promoting sustainable food economy.
- Banc de Llavors de La Selva
Products and services
- Botiga Emys (Emys Shop) Ecological shop selling fresh produce, meats, dairy, dry goods, and artisanal products sourced from custody farmers and local producers for individual consumers.
- El Rebost de Can Moragues Restaurant and ecological shop featuring products from custody farmers, focusing on ecological ingredients and sustainable food practices at the Can Moragues estate.
- Melmelades i Conserves ecològiques Can Moragues Ecological jams and sauces produced in collaboration with Fundació Astres using ingredients from custody farmers, supporting social integration of vulnerable populations.
- Banc de Llavors de La Selva (Seed Bank) Seed conservation program cataloging, recovering, and disseminating agrobiodiversity of La Selva, preserving 100+ local agricultural varieties ex situ and 30 varieties maintained in situ annually.
- Activitats d'Educació Ambiental (Environmental Education Activities) Environmental education activities for schools, institutes, and the public including workshops, volunteer days, leisure education, trainings, and talks for children and adults.
- Apadrina una tortuga (Sponsor a Turtle) Turtle sponsorship program (20€ per turtle, 1–10 selectable) supporting Emys orbicularis conservation, including annual outings, certificates, and monitoring reports for sponsors.
- Serveis de Gestió i Consultoria Ambiental (Environmental Management and Consulting Services) Professional services including project writing for nature conservation, environmental consulting, technical trainings, sustainable forest and agricultural management, public use planning, wildlife monitoring, and natural space restoration for municipalities, landowners, and organizations.
- Curs d'Informadors Ambientals (Environmental Interpreters Course) 80-hour training course (90€ standard / 72€ for COAMB members, valued at 280€) covering environmental sensitization, natural heritage interpretation, and entrepreneurship, with field trips to natural spaces in Alta Garrotxa, RNC Boumort, PN Ports, and PN Montseny.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 1,400 pond turtles censused through 30+ years of monitoring
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Fundació Emys
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Fundació Emys technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Fundació Emys partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Fundació Barcelona ZoocoreConvention for the conservation of Emys orbicularis in the Tordera basin. Joint population monitoring and conservation efforts for the endangered pond turtle species, including prospecting new ponds with potential for the species.
- Fundació AstrescoreCollaboration for green economy projects including production of ecological jams and sauces at Can Moragues. Social insertion of people from disadvantaged groups in the territory through employment opportunities.
- XCN (Xarxa per a la Conservació de la Natura)coreNetwork for Nature Conservation in Catalonia. Fundació Emys signed the first land custody agreement in Catalonia in 1989 through this network.
- EcoAqua Research Group (Universitat de Girona)coreAquatic Ecology Research Group collaboration for scientific research on amphibians, reptiles, and pond turtles. Hosts university students for degree, master's, and doctorate internships.
- Museu de Ciències Naturals GranollersminorNatural History Museum collaboration for butterfly monitoring project (CBMS) and citizen science initiatives.
- Fundació TrencacoreCollaboration for environmental interpreter training course and nature conservation projects in protected spaces (Alta Garrotxa, RNC Boumort, PN Ports, PN Montseny).
- SEO BirdlifecoreBirdLife Spain partnership for environmental information services in protected natural spaces.
- Ajuntament de RiudarenescoreMunicipal support since 2003 that enabled the creation of Fundació Emys. Provided custody of Can Moragues estate in 2011.
- Municipalities (0.5% IBI Program)core7 municipalities (Maçanet de la Selva, Santa Coloma de Farners, Vilobí d'Onyar, Riudellots de la Selva, les Planes d'Hostoles, Sant Hilari Sacalm, Hostalric) allocating 0.5% of municipal property tax to natural environment conservation.
- 1% For the PlanetminorInternational platform connecting companies committed to environmental conservation with nonprofit organizations like Fundació Emys for funding and partnership.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Fundació Emys competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- XCN (Xarxa per a la Conservació de la Natura): Catalan network for nature conservation whose custody methodology Fundació Emys pioneered with the first agreement in 1989. Direct peer in land custody and conservation network management across Catalonia.
- CREAF (Centre de Recerca Ecològica i Aplicacions Forestals): Catalan ecological and forestry research centre that is a research partner of Fundació Emys. Comparable focus on biodiversity monitoring, forest ecosystem services, and applied conservation science in Catalonia.
- Millennium Seed Bank (Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew): World-leading seed bank preserving plant genetic diversity. Comparable to Fundació Emys' Banc de Llavors de La Selva (100+ local varieties preserved ex situ), though Kew operates at vastly larger scale.
- Fundació Barcelona Zoo: Conservation foundation of Barcelona Zoo and a direct partner on Emys orbicularis conservation in the Tordera basin. Comparable conservation foundation model with species recovery and public-facing zoo/heritage visitor operations.
- SOPTOM (Station d'Observation et de Protection des Tortues et de leurs Milieux): French chelonian conservation centre dedicated to turtle species including European pond terrapins. Direct peer in Emys orbicularis conservation, rehabilitation, and public education around freshwater turtles.
- Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera: Catalan foundation that supports environmental education and conservation projects, and is also an existing partner/funder of Fundació Emys. Comparable private non-profit foundation model operating in Catalonia with conservation, education, and audience-engagement programs.
Broad incumbents
- SEO/BirdLife: Spain's principal bird and biodiversity conservation NGO and an active partner of Fundació Emys on environmental information services in protected natural spaces. Broader geographic scope and species portfolio but overlapping mission and operating model.
- Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT): UK wetland conservation charity operating wetland reserves with public visiting, education, and species recovery programmes. Directly comparable private-charity model of wetland conservation paired with visitor-facing engagement, applied to a different but adjacent habitat.
- Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust: International conservation organisation operating an integrated conservation + education + visitor centre model. Comparable institutional architecture combining species recovery, on-site visitor programming, and revenue diversification, though at much larger scale.
Regional players
- Land Trust Alliance (European Land Conservation Network): UM/US-based network advancing private land conservation through voluntary agreements. Comparable land custody methodology to Fundació Emys' pioneering Spanish model, though operating across different geographies and legal frameworks.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Fundació Emys social profiles
Digital presenceFundació Emys financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Fundació Emys leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles25 records
Fundació Emys funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Fundació Emys M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Fundació Emys
What does Fundació Emys do?
Fundació Emys is a non-profit foundation dedicated to the conservation of nature, especially wetlands and the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis), through research, land custody, sustainable management, environmental education, and a green economy built around ecological products from custody farmers. It sells ecological products (jams, sauces, fresh produce) and consulting services, and operates the Can Moragues estate as a demonstration, education, and visitor center.
Is Fundació Emys a public or private company?
Fundació Emys is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Fundació Emys founded?
Fundació Emys was founded in 1987. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Fundació Emys based?
Fundació Emys is headquartered in Riudarenes, Spain, in the Europe region.
How does Fundació Emys make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations and Sponsorships are the primary driver. The others are green Economy Products, environmental Services and project Grants.
Who are Fundació Emys's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are XCN (Xarxa per a la Conservació de la Natura), CREAF (Centre de Recerca Ecològica i Aplicacions Forestals), Millennium Seed Bank (Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew), Fundació Barcelona Zoo, SOPTOM (Station d'Observation et de Protection des Tortues et de leurs Milieux) and Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera. Broad incumbents are SEO/BirdLife, Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) and Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust. Land Trust Alliance (European Land Conservation Network) is listed as a regional player.
Does Fundació Emys have an API?
No public API is recorded for Fundació Emys.
What industry is Fundació Emys in?
Fundació Emys's product category is Environmental Conservation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAIAH, Sanctuaries & Long-Term Care (Farm, Equine, Exotic), with a secondary code of THAAAAAG, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Parks & Reserves (Visitor Operations). Its NAICS code is 712190 and its SIC code is 7900.