About | SafeLines4Birds

Get to know us and why our project is vital

Who We Are

We are 15 consortium partners including Transmission System Operators (TSO), Distribution System Operators (DSO), environmental NGOs and scientific experts from France, Belgium, Portugal, Germany and the United States. The National Avifauna Committee (CNA) based in France is the initiator of SafeLines4Birds. It is a rare example of coordination between nature protection NGOs and grid operators in order to develop and implement targeted and coordinated actions to reduce the impact of power lines on birds.

What We Do

SafeLines4Birds is the result of long-standing relationships with a shared goal to go further and have a bigger impact on the protection of bird species. Our multi-stakeholder collaboration brings together different perspectives and facilitates learning and knowledge sharing between all the actors concerned by the issue.

What We Aim

The goal of the project is to reduce the mortality of 13 bird species along power lines by tackling bird collision, electrocution and disturbance during the breeding season as well as improve and share knowledge across Europe. The long-term aim is to ensure the viability of the European target species, today threatened by their interaction with power lines.

Funding

The project SafeLines4Birds has a budget of over 14 million € and is co-financed by the LIFE Programme of the European Union. The LIFE Programme is the EU’s funding instrument for the environment and climate action. Within the environment sub-programme, it provides funding for projects related to environmental governance, resource efficiency, biodiversity conservation, and the environment.

Projects for climate change adaptation and governance are funded through the climate action sub-program. The duration of the project is 72 months, starting in January 2023 and ending in December 2028. The project’s official title is LIFE21-NAT-FR-LIFE SAFELINES4BIRDS with the identification number LIFE21-NAT-FR-101073826 SafeLines4Birds.

Meet the Partners

BIOPOLIS/CIBIO

CIBIO/BIOPOLIS is a scientific research unit associated to the University of Porto and...

internationally renowned for its scientific studies in the areas of biodiversity and evolutionary biology. BIOPOLIS/CIBIO’s team has vast experience researching bird interactions with power lines, as well as evaluating mitigation and monitoring methods of bird mortality at energy infrastructures.

E-REDES

E-REDES is Portugal’s DSO, accounting for 97% of the market. Leveraging on its innovating...

strategy during the last decade, the company has increased its participation on European projects which led to the establishment of partnerships with more than 150 entities (universities, industrial partners, research institutes, utilities, local authorities, etc.) from 21 different countries.

LPO Pays de la Loire

LPO Pays de la Loire’s main missions are to improve and structure knowledge on...

biodiversity in Pays de la Loire; animate programs for the preservation of species and habitats in Pays de la Loire; promote biodiversity in public policies and business strategies; raise public awareness and train users of biodiversity areas.

RGI

The Renewables Grid Initiative (RGI) is an EU collaboration of NGOs and TSOs promoting...

sustainable grid development for renewable growth and decarbonisation. As a German non-profit, RGI engages in energy transition, climate change, and stakeholder engagement. With 26 members from 12 European countries, RGI mediates opposing interests and produces progressive positions.

EDM

EDM International, Inc. (EDM) is a Colorado-based company offering innovative solutions to global...

electric utilities. Their Environmental Group utilizes science to manage wildlife interactions with power lines, preventing collisions and electrocutions. EDM's team of engineers, scientists, and biologists addresses challenges in transmission and distribution line management.

LPO AuRa

LPO AuRA is an NGO aiming to participate in the knowledge, protection and promotion of..

biodiversity. They have been involved in the issue of power lines since 1991 with an agreement signed with Enedis and the creation of the Regional Avifauna Committee to discuss the impact of power lines on biodiversity.

RTE

RTE is France’s TSO and with 90% of its facilities surrounded by nature, they have made the...

protection of biodiversity their priority in their environmental policy. They have also been recognised for their contribution to French National Strategy for Biodiversity, both for their actions and to improve and share knowledge.

Elia

Elia is a key player in electricity transmission in Belgium and supply more than 11 million...

end users with electricity. With a reliability level of 99.99%, they provide society with a robust power grid and also aspire to be a catalyst for a successful energy transition, helping to establish a reliable, sustainable and affordable energy system.

LPO France

(Project Coordinator)

LPO is BirdLife partner’s in France and the coordinator of the project. Their main missions are..

to support biodiversity and sustainable development through wildlife conservation projects, scientific studies and public advocacy.

LPO is part of the National Avifauna Committee together with grid operators and naturalists to limit the impact of power lines on biodiversity.

Natagora

Natagora is one of BirdLife partner in Belgium aiming to halt the loss of biodiversity and help...

restore a better balance between nature and humankind. Amongst others, their missions are:

Enedis

Enedis is a public service company managing the electricity distribution network in France...

They are very active in the protection of biodiversity and is strengthening its prevention actions throughout the country thanks to the support and expertise of local partners and naturalists.

LPO PACA

LPO PACA is a recognised expert in the management and conservation of nature in the...

regional territory and operates in the field of environmental awareness, education and professional training.They focuse heavily on the issue of avifauna and power lines by carrying out the national synthesis of bird mortality data due to power lines.

Natuurpunt

Natuurpunt is the second BirdLife partner in Belgium and the largest Belgian nature conservation...

organisation. The long-term protection of important habitats, species and landscapes is the main goal of this NGO. They have gained extensive knowledge on the topic of bird collisions with power lines over the last decade.

SPEA

SPEA is BirdLife’s partner in Portugal and work every day to protect Portuguese birds and the...

unique habitats they depend on. Thanks to the support of their members, volunteers and partners, they monitor populations, restore habitats, remove invasive species, push for better laws and fight environmental crime.

LPO OCCITANIE

LPO OCCITANIE is a French association whose main missions are to safeguard birds, wildlife...

nature and human being on the Occitanie region. It consists in technical diagnostics in environment, education and awareness raising through nature discovering activities.

Meet the Team

Joana Bernardino

Post-Doc Researcher

BIOPOLIS/CIBIO

James Dwyer

Research Scientist

EDM

Michel Mure

Biodiversity Project manager

LPO Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Ingrid Marchand

Project coordinator

LPO France

Kristijn Swinnen

Director

Natuurpunt

Julieta Costa

Conservation officer

SPEA

Ricardo Martins

Post-Doc Researcher

BIOPOLIS/CIBIO

Olivia Geels

Environmental expert

Elia

Clarisse Novel

Communication manager

LPO Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Benjamin Salvarelli

Programme manager

LPO Occitanie

Dominique Verbelen

Project leader

Natuurpunt

Francisco Moreira

Principal Researcher

BIOPOLIS/CIBIO

Thierry Bara

Head of Environmental mission

Enedis

Sébastien Teyssier

Director General

LPO Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Mickael Potard

Regional coordinator

LPO Pays de la Loire

Manon Quetstroey

Manager - Energy & Nature

RGI

Rui Morgado

Post-Doc Researcher

BIOPOLIS/CIBIO

Catarina Marques

Communication manager

E-REDES

Nicolas Gendre

Biodiversity Project leader

LPO France

Jean-Yves Paquet

Director of Research department

Natagora

Lisa Garnier

Research director

RTE