Integrating transport and energy infrastructures and wildlife conservation: Planning, Monitoring, and Mitigation Strategies
From 24 Feb 2026 until 27 Feb 2026 - BIOPOLIS-CIBIO, Vairão, Portugal (Face-to-face)
This course explores the dynamic intersection of energy and transport infrastructure development and wildlife conservation. Participants will learn how to promote sustainable development that safeguards biodiversity through strategic planning, effective monitoring, innovative mitigation techniques, and well-designed compensation measures. The curriculum addresses the environmental impacts of onshore energy and transport infrastructure (roads, railways, powerlines, and wind farms) while introducing monitoring techniques and analytical tools to assess wildlife mortality, habitat connectivity, and extinction risk. By integrating theoretical foundations with practical skills, the course prepares participants for careers in environmental planning, conservation, and sustainable development, while also fostering future research in this critical field.
PROGRAM
This course outlines the strategies for an ecologically sustainable development of different types of transportation and energy infrastructures such as roads, railways, powerlines and wind farms. The course encompasses modules that outline the steps to plan projects, evaluate impacts, and mitigate or offset any unavoidable impacts. The program schedule is as follows:
This course outlines the strategies for an ecologically sustainable development of different types of transportation and energy infrastructures such as roads, railways, powerlines and wind farms. The course encompasses modules that outline the steps to plan projects, evaluate impacts, and mitigate or offset any unavoidable impacts. The program schedule is as follows:
Day 1 - Transport infrastructure – impacts on wildlife and assessments
● Overview of transport infrastructure impacts on wildlife and ecosystems
● Introduction to field techniques and analytical tools for impact assessment
● Global and regional case studies on road impacts and risk modelling
● Hands-on practice estimating extinction risks from roadkill
Day 2 - Transport infrastructure – conflict mapping and mitigation strategies
● Identification of conflict zones between infrastructure and wildlife corridors
● Case studies on infrastructure planning in sensitive ecological areas
● Strategies and practice for designing effective mitigation measures
● Hands-on practice to estimate conflict zones between infrastructure and wildlife corridors and mortality
Day 3 – Energy infrastructure – Wildlife impacts, monitoring, and mitigation strategies
● Overview of current and projected onshore energy infrastructure development and projections in the EU and globally
● Introduction to the impacts of energy infrastructure on wildlife and ecosystems
● Strategic planning, minimization and compensation strategies for energy projects impacts
● Monitoring techniques to assess impacts and mitigation effectiveness
● Hands-on-practice with analytical tools for monitoring the impact on wildlife populations
Day 4 – Energy infrastructure – Applied Case Studies and Demographic Impacts
● Case studies from around the world showcasing energy infrastructure impacts and innovative approaches to safeguarding biodiversity
● Real-world experience from a consultancy company reconciling renewable energy development with biodiversity conservation
● Introduction to population-level consequences of infrastructure-related wildlife mortality
● Hands-on practice with analytical tools to evaluate the population-level impacts of energy infrastructure on wildlife.
CALENDAR
4 days - 24 hours - Schedule: 10:00 - 13:00 & 14:00 - 17:00
COURSE INSTRUCTORS
Coordination
Clara Grilo | BIOPOLIS-CIBIO
Joana Bernardino | BIOPOLIS-CIBIO
Instructors
Ana Teresa Marques | BIOPOLIS - CIBIO
Filipa Coutinho Soares | BIOPOLIS - CIBIO
João Paulo Silva | BIOPOLIS - CIBIO
Ricardo Martins | BIOPOLIS - CIBIO
Tomé Neves | BIOPOLIS - CIBIO
Joana Bernardino | BIOPOLIS-CIBIO
Instructors
Ana Teresa Marques | BIOPOLIS - CIBIO
Filipa Coutinho Soares | BIOPOLIS - CIBIO
João Paulo Silva | BIOPOLIS - CIBIO
Ricardo Martins | BIOPOLIS - CIBIO
Tomé Neves | BIOPOLIS - CIBIO
SELECTION CRITERIA
The course will be open to a maximum number of 25 participants.
75% of available student slots are reserved for BIODIV students.
Priority will be given to:
• 1st year and other PhD students attending the BIODIV Doctoral Program;
• PhD students attending other courses;
• Other post-graduate students and researchers.
(A minimum number of participants is required for the course to take place)
APPLICATION
Deadline: 20 January 2026
To apply fill the FORM
A copy of your submitted form will be sent to the email address you provided. This email is your confirmation that the application was successfully submitted.
A copy of your submitted form will be sent to the email address you provided. This email is your confirmation that the application was successfully submitted.
If you don't receive this email, your application was not successfully submitted.
We will email you the results within 10 working days after the application deadline.
REGISTRATION
80€ (students) | 150€ (other participants).
BIOPOLIS/ CIBIO members will have an additional discount of 20%.
Participation is free of charge for BIODIV Students (M BGE & PhD) & CIBIO's TwinLabs members.
(If applicable, payment will be made to Associação BIOPOLIS - VAT No. 516033727. Information on the payment amount and the payment deadline will be sent together with the results notification, and a proforma invoice may be issued in due time).
MORE INFORMATION
Registration fees do not include accommodation or meals.
No ECTS credits are awarded for attending the course. Participants receive a certificate of attendance without quantitative evaluation.
CONTACT
Education & Training Unit (Post graduation office)
+351 252 660 425