Campaigns, field actions, debates, and statements — the pulse of Milvoz.
Ler em PortuguêsAs part of Invasive Species Week, Milvoz organised an invasive plant control initiative at the Senhora da Alegria Bio-Reserve, bringing together 10 participants for a morning dedicated to nature conservation and the active management of this important biodiversity hotspot.
Read →On 16 and 17 May, the Group of Schools of Ansião took part in the Invasive Species Week 2026 through a series of awareness-raising activities focusing on biodiversity and the impact of invasive alien species on ecosystems.
Read →More than 40 participants recently took part in two butterfly-watching sessions organised by Milvoz at the Morena Bio-Reserve and the Bispo Bio-Reserve.
Read →Milvoz considers it essential to closely monitor the Government's announcement regarding the restructuring of the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) and the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF), in the context of simplifying environmental, agriculture and maritime licensing processes. We recognise that there are structural problems in the functioning of these bodies, namely a shortage of human and technical resources, procedural delays, administrative fragmentation and insufficient capac
Read →Milvoz recently organised a training session for teachers, bringing together 12 teachers for a session dedicated to environmental education, nature conservation and the educational potential of the Milvoz Bio-Reserves.
Read →Massive clear-cutting continues to take place along corridors managed by E-Redes on the outskirts of Coimbra, devastating areas in good condition in the peri-urban zone, as well as densely populated areas with a low risk of fire.
Read →On 19 April, Milvoz held its Annual General Meeting, an important occasion for member participation dedicated to reviewing the work carried out throughout 2025 and setting out the main areas of focus for 2026.
Read →On 9 May, Milvoz is promoting, in partnership with the Statutory Mobility Teacher, a Training Session for Teachers, centred on the pedagogical potential of its network of Bio-Reserves. This training includes a theoretical component, covering the principles and concepts that guide the association's work, as well as a practical component that includes a guided visit to the Morena Bio-Reserve. Throughout the session, the potential of these conservation areas
Read →The Morena Bio-Reserve Caretakers Group gathered for its 2026 annual meeting, taking advantage of a bright late-winter day that invited everyone to fully enjoy this Milvoz micro-reserve. Amid the first signs of nature's renewal and the approaching spring, the gathering took place in an atmosphere of closeness, sharing and a strong bond with the territory. The morning was marked by moments of togetherness, during which participants had the opportunity to walk and exp
Read →The Directorate-General for School Administration has ordered the abrupt termination of the placement of teachers seconded to NGOs under protocols with the APA, compelling their immediate return to their home schools — despite these placements having been approved until August 2026. The measure directly affects three associations (ASPEA, OIKOS and PATO), but jeopardises a national Environmental Education network, with ongoing projects, approved funding, activities already scheduled with schools, municip
Read →Last autumn, a major landslide affected the Senhora da Alegria Bio-Reserve. Following a period of heavy rainfall, a section of the hillside was swept down into one of the tributary valleys of the Ribeiro dos Polomos, affecting a sector of our Bio-Reserve. As a result of this event, the safety of part of the historic pilgrimage path to the Chapel of Senhora da Alegria was compromised, leading us to close access to the trail at that point. We now intend to study the most viable altern
Read →On 16 January, the Centro Organisations Meeting took place in Coimbra, at the Vasco da Gama University School, as part of the European project Catalyst of Change: Encontro pelas Florestas, funded by the European Commission. The event was organised in partnership with Reflorestar Portugal, Assembleias de Cidadãos Portugal and the Faixas Vivas movement, which collaborates in defining the thematic focus of the meetings and facilitating discussions. The gathering was attended by several associations
Read →We started the year in the best possible way! Several citizens and organisations have been showing their solidarity with Milvoz and the ecological tragedy that befell the ancient woodland of Vale da Aveleira. Thanks to the remarkable mobilisation of support from the 14th edition of Free Run 2026 - Solidarity Race and Walk, organised by Coimbra Trail Running, it was possible to raise €924.70 in donations for the regeneration of our Integral Bio-Reserve. The Milvoz team deeply thanks everyone who contributed
Read →The Senhora da Alegria Bio-Reserve is more than a natural territory. It was Milvoz's first Bio-Reserve. It was here that we began to shape, on the ground, our vision for conservation and environmental education. It was here that we learned, made mistakes, adjusted and grew. The recent passage of Storm Kristin left deep marks on this space so close to our hearts. The intense rainfall and strong winds caused the fall of numerous large trees, slope instability, landslides and alt
Read →The Morena Bio-Reserve hosted our first activity focused on camera trapping techniques. It was on 28 December that a motivated group of naturalists ventured into this refuge of dense native vegetation, where so many wildlife species find the perfect shelter. Many of the wild mammals that occur here are nocturnal and display highly elusive behaviour, aspects that make direct observation very difficult. It is in this context that Milvoz uses camera
Read →Our most recently established Bio-Reserve is the Bispo Bio-Reserve. Located near Podentes, in the municipality of Penela, this conservation area comes as a result of a long-term loan agreement with its owner, aligning their intentions with Milvoz's mission: to safeguard the last refuges of biodiversity. This is precisely the case with the land in question, which consists of a highly biodiverse woodland enriched with a clearing environment
Read →In partnership with SPEA - Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds, we organised an activity to build bird feeders using natural materials! This activity took place at the Senhora da Alegria Bio-Reserve, a space always ready to welcome visitors and participants. This has been our reference space for promoting community engagement actions for the important dissemination of good practices and environmental awareness. With the help of our Statutory Mobility Teacher,
Read →Dikamar donated 24 pairs of waterproof boots to Milvoz for our environmental volunteering activities! Corporate support is very important for an association like Milvoz, as scarce resources and limited access to funding are a permanent reality for this type of organisation. Now our team and volunteers will be able to work with greater comfort and efficiency in the wetland areas of our Bio-Reserves, where we frequently need to access for monitoring and control
Read →The Morena Bio-Reserve hosted yet another activity, this time a guided visit in partnership with Centro PINUS, to celebrate Native Forest Day! Is there a more fitting place to celebrate the richness of the region's native vegetation? After an initial briefing at the meeting point, we moved into the Bio-Reserve valley to discover the breathtaking richness of native vegetation thriving at this location. Strawberry trees, bay laurels, buckthorns, kermes oaks, Portuguese oaks and pines
Read →Promoting the fundraising campaign for the post-fire restoration of Vale da Aveleira has been a priority for Milvoz over the past months. We maintain a regular online presence but seek to complement it through in-person appearances at events related to our field of work. We were in Albergaria-a-Velha at the 9th edition of Biofórum, organised by Associação Bioliving, under the theme "Biodiversity and Fire". We presented Vale da Aveleira before and after
Read →Milvoz took part in the 30th National Meeting of Environmental Defence Associations, organised by CPADA, with a presentation aimed at sharing the project to create a network of Bio-Reserves in the Coimbra region, as well as introducing the collaborative initiative we coordinate, Faixas Vivas. Moments that bring together and unite the various environmental associations are always very important for maintaining cohesion among the various organisations that watch over nature conservation in the terr
Read →This summer, Milvoz saw one of its most significant projects deeply affected. The Vale da Aveleira Integral Bio-Reserve burned severely, with only a small fraction of the woodland surviving the flames. Now, with heavier rainfall, it was the turn of the Senhora da Alegria Bio-Reserve to be damaged by another phenomenon: a major landslide affected a section of the woodland and compromised the current route of the trail that climbs the hillside and links the Bio-Reserve to the Chapel of Senhora da Ale
Read →The Encontro pelas Florestas (Forest Gathering) is a collaborative initiative by Reflorestar Portugal, Assembleias de Cidadãos and Faixas Vivas, the latter being a movement created by Milvoz. This "Gathering" seeks to raise awareness about the challenges of forest management in Portugal and will feature various events throughout 2025 and 2026. The first, the Citizens' Assembly for the Centro region, took place on 25 October in Lousã. The theme for this first gathering was "Monocultures, Biodiversity and Fires: A
Read →At the invitation of the Palombar and Centro do Clima associations, on the 18th and 19th of October we travelled to Rates, in the municipality of Póvoa de Varzim, to take part in the 5th Ecological and Environmental Convergence Gathering. This event featured various talks addressing environmental issues and how society deals with them. There was also an opportunity for a roundtable discussion focused on community communication and awareness-raising around sustainability. Having been considered
Read →Milvoz is looking for a dynamic person to support the association's administrative and operational management. Full-time contract (12 months), remote with a preference for the Coimbra region. Applications by 15 November.
Read →At the invitation of Portuguese representatives in the European Parliament, Milvoz was present from 13 to 15 October at the institution's headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. Together with other Portuguese Environmental NGOs, we promoted a constructive discussion that resulted in a set of measures we intend to see implemented. This initiative served to prepare for COP30, the thirtieth Conference on Climate Change, which will take place next month in Belém, Brazil
Read →This year, in partnership with the Vasco da Gama Research Centre, we ran two activities under the Ciência Viva no Verão programme. We began with a visit to the Mondego Estuary, focusing on the diversity of elements associated with saltmarsh environments. We drew participants' attention to the richness of the birdlife, and it was possible to appreciate an interesting range of species characteristic of these habitats, with a total of 36 observed. Flamingos, spoonbills, ospreys and marsh harr
Read →Control invasive species? No. Stabilise soils? No. Cut down what survived the fire? YES. You read correctly. One month after the flames passed, the ICNF is preparing to fell both what burned and what did not. Milvoz, while conducting survey and characterisation work in the burned area of the Serra da Lousã, came across an extensive forested area that had recently been marked for felling. A conifer woodland on the northern slope of the mountain, composed of black pine and Scots pine, was affected by the flames to varying degrees
Read →On the 20th and 21st, in partnership with Teatrão and the Parish Council of Almalaguês, we promoted an initiative that fully reflects the bridges Milvoz seeks to build in the territory, with the precious involvement of several local residents. We visited the Senhora da Alegria Bio-Reserve in an interpreted walk format, enriched by the experiences and memories of those who grew up beside the woodland and for whom this space holds a special place in their hearts. Beyond the aspects related to eco
Read →Running activities of the most diverse kinds is essential to keep the Milvoz community engaged and active. Throughout this summer, we organised several initiatives. See some of them below! At the Morena Bio-Reserve, in partnership with specialist Pedro Pires, we carried out a nocturnal moth monitoring session. It was possible to observe an extensive range of species and learn captivating facts about this group of insects. We thank Pedro, who since the
Read →The fire that broke out on the 14th in Candal, a schist village in the Serra da Lousã, took on an overwhelming scale and violence within a matter of hours. Fuelled by highly dangerous forested areas dense with acacia, eucalyptus and pine, the fire front grew rapidly and sparked new outbreaks, making the situation uncontrollable. By late morning of the following day, the Vale da Aveleira Integral Bio-Reserve was already surrounded by flames, in a scene marked
Read →Milvoz is one of eight organisations supported by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation under the Equity & Sustainability Programme to promote and preserve biodiversity. The NGOs and equivalent organisations were selected through a competitive process that valued projects dedicated to ecological restoration and sustainable ecosystem management, with the aim of reversing environmental degradation and biodiversity loss. Milvoz thanks the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation for the important recognition of the work
Read →A visit to the Senhora da Alegria Bio-Reserve, focused on observing the Campanula alata, was the occasion for a motivated group to venture into the hillside and reach the small nook where this rare species still persists. A micro-habitat just a few metres in extent is all that remains of this species' population at the site. In the Centro region, the domain of Campanula alata is the water seepages on rocky outcrops and embankments: a scarce micro-habitat of very low representativeness in the
Read →This weekend, Milvoz travelled to Galicia and joined the Montescola Foundation for a training session on invasive plants. We visited the Montes de Lousame and took part in control actions, observing a reality very similar to that of some regions of Portugal, with acacia and eucalyptus as the dominant species in the forest cover. We highlight the positive results of native regeneration in areas already treated by the Brigadas Deseucaliptizadoras — an excellent example that should be replicated.
Read →Portugal's native oak woodlands are true bastions of biodiversity, ecological identity and climate resilience. Yet these valuable habitats are disappearing, victims of the absence of legislation that effectively protects them from land-use pressure, monoculture expansion and the spread of invasive species. It is now in all our hands to change this course. A petition being submitted to the Portuguese Parliament calls for the urgent creation of a legal framework to safeguard native oaks.
Read →Milvoz regularly reports cases of poor environmental practices and illegal activities in the Coimbra region. However, our eyes cannot reach every corner of the territory and so we often remain unaware of problems that deserve to be reported to the competent authorities. To address this gap, we decided to widen our circle — and include you in this surveillance mission! Our website header now features a section called "Report", where you can submit environmental concerns.
Read →Under the motto ‘Visit to Conserve’, Milvoz’s network of conservation areas was recently presented as a case study in an analysis of new opportunities for ecotourism in Portugal. The initiative was part of the Experience(Côa) programme in Pinhel, organised by Rewilding Portugal, bringing together specialists, organisations and local stakeholders around a shared goal: finding innovative ways to valorise natural heritage and sustainable tourism.
Read →Throughout this first half of the year, Milvoz organised several guided visits to the Morena Bio-Reserve, with the aim of showcasing the management and conservation work taking place here. These visits allow participants to follow the progress and results already achieved while providing an enriching experience in the heart of nature. After all, nothing replaces direct contact with the landscape, its scents, its sounds and the life that inhabits it.
Read →A recent situation highlights deep problems in how ICNF fulfils its responsibility to manage the reception and transfer of injured or weakened wild animals. The van that should transport animals to rehabilitation centres has been broken down for approximately one year. Last Friday, Milvoz was contacted to intervene with the competent authorities in order to ensure the swift transfer of a road-struck roe deer to a recovery centre.
Read →From 1 to 4 May, Milvoz travelled to Serra da Estrela to meet our friends from Veredas da Estrela, who organised the initiative ‘De Monte a Monte’. Several days of workshops, knowledge-sharing and community action awaited us, and it was an honour to be present alongside the Brigadas Deseucaliptizadoras from Galicia. This Galician group, with hundreds of members, organises collective activities to remove eucalyptus and other invasive species from common land.
Read →In recent years we have been following with growing concern the state of biodiversity in our region, particularly in the municipality of Coimbra, where the vast majority of forest cover is dominated by eucalyptus monocultures and areas infested with invasive species. The few remaining areas of multifunctional, biodiverse forest face increasing pressure and real risks of degradation. In partnership with the Coimbra City Council, Milvoz has been working to protect the last biodiversity hotspots in the municipality.
Read →The Senhora da Alegria Bio-Reserve was the setting for another set of activities aimed at preserving its rich ecosystem. Among the most recently acquired areas, there is a sector dominated by acacia woodland. In keeping with its operating philosophy, Milvoz prioritises the acquisition of areas in urgent need of conservation, so that they can be safeguarded as quickly as possible. Alongside this, the association also acquires degraded areas surrounding well-preserved refuges, promoting their ecological restoration.
Read →On 27 April, Milvoz organised a mobilisation in Ega (Condeixa-a-Nova) to express our opposition to the construction of a photovoltaic power plant on a 35-hectare site composed predominantly of native woodland. Around two hundred citizens demonstrated their alignment with our vision and called for the project to be relocated to an alternative site, given the abundance of highly degraded areas in the region. 'Green' energy must not come at the cost of destroying native ecosystems.
Read →What we feared is about to happen: Portugal's voluntary carbon market, currently being established, is at serious risk of being entirely captured by the promotion of eucalyptus monoculture — without limits! The first methodology proposed to certify carbon credits in Portugal, currently under public consultation, does not address the structural problems of the forestry sector and could worsen the complex challenges facing rural territories. Instead of promoting ecological regeneration, it favours intensive exploitation models.
Read →On 20 January, Milvoz identified the complete felling of a mature cork oak grove in Lamas (Miranda do Corvo), within a fuel management strip under the responsibility of E-REDES. The situation was reported to SEPNA/GNR to investigate the legality of the intervention. The cork oak is a tree protected by law and its felling requires authorisation from the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF). In such cases, the area may only be thinned for the sole purpose of reducing continuous fuel load.
Read →Far beyond cork oaks… what is at stake with the installation of the photovoltaic power plant in Ega (Condeixa-a-Nova) is an entire ecosystem dominated by oak woodland. Milvoz carried out a survey of the natural values on the land where the company Anadia Green intends to build a solar park spanning 12 hectares. Beyond the cork oaks previously identified, a remarkable biological diversity associated with this habitat is also at risk.
Read →Still in March, Milvoz held its Ordinary General Assembly to review the activities and accounts for 2024 and approve the actions to be developed throughout 2025. We also paid special attention to the recently signed Environmental Measures Protocol with the company Boavista Sun Cernache, detailing its specifics and the reasons that led us to pursue this initiative. In total, 13 members attended in person and a further 11 joined remotely.
Read →An extensive 12-hectare area of valuable woodland composed of oak, strawberry trees and mock privet has been completely devastated. Located between the settlements of Larçã and Botão, this was a forested area of high ecological value, both for the diversity of native species present and for its state of conservation. For these reasons, and also because of the network of trails running through it, the area was cherished by local communities and regularly visited for walking and outdoor sports.
Read →Milvoz is alarmed by the publication in the Diário da República of public interest declarations for 3 solar projects in the Ega area (Condeixa-a-Nova), which would in part destroy native forest habitats composed of cork oaks and other indigenous species. In an energy transition marketed as ‘green’, we continue to witness the complete disregard for biodiversity conservation criteria and native habitats. This is just one more example in a region that is not lacking in environmentally degraded areas.
Read →There is no better way to learn about the importance of our native habitats and species than through direct contact with them. That is exactly what two very special groups did when they visited the Senhora da Alegria Bio-Reserve at the end of February. The Senior University of Tomar travelled all the way to Almalaguês to discover the nature conservation work we carry out here. These students are an inspiring example of how the desire to learn can last a lifetime.
Read →The icy cold of January brought the delightful annual initiative "Encontro de Gaiteiros" to Almalaguês. In its ninth edition, this cultural festival featured the participation of Milvoz, which organised an interpretive walk through the Senhora da Alegria Bio-Reserve as well as a talk about the history of this space. This presentation, integrated within the Aldeias de Portugal project of which we are partners, promoted the Bio-Reserve as a unique place where nature and culture intertwine.
Read →At the invitation of the PolinizAÇÃO group, on 14 January Milvoz attended Part I of the 4th participatory workshop on Management Practices in Productive and Classified Natural Areas, at the Instituto Superior de Agronomia in Lisbon. We were among specialists who dedicate their professional lives to the study of pollinating insects, whose health is closely linked to that of ecosystems and society. The topics discussed were "Sustainable practices in productive areas" and "Conservation in classified natural areas".
Read →Milvoz has just expanded the Senhora da Alegria Bio-Reserve by more than one hectare! This considerable expansion, in a territory characterised by challenging smallholding fragmentation, is yet another step in safeguarding important ecological values still hidden within this biodiversity refuge. An extensive riverside front, several natural ponds, a native deciduous woodland in excellent preservation and remnant nuclei of several threatened species are just some of the precious assets found here.
Read →On 16 November, around twenty volunteers travelled to the Senhora da Alegria Bio-Reserve for a very full day! The main objective was simple: build and install 15 nest boxes in this important Milvoz nature conservation area. The Bio-Reserve woodland, although composed of a remarkable variety of native trees, is a relatively young formation and lacks older specimens with natural cavities in their trunks. This situation is common to almost all native woodland in the region.
Read →At the invitation of BioLiving, Milvoz attended the VIII BioFÓRUM in Albergaria-a-Velha. We had the opportunity to share our perspective on the implications of the European Nature Restoration Law for land management and nature conservation in Portugal, drawing on experience gained in our area of action. We hope this opportunity brings a new vision and investment for nature, better aligned with environmental sustainability.
Read →The Mediterranean vegetation of the Morena Bio-Reserve now hosts more than fifty beehives, in a partnership with B-Team, a research group at the Centre for Functional Ecology of the University of Coimbra. B-Team's research focuses on the protection of pollinating insects through the study of bee ecology and ecotoxicology as a model organism, aiming for sustainable and resilient beekeeping. Beyond bees, B-Team also investigates the effects of plant protection products on other bee species.
Read →Milvoz joined Escutismo Mondego Sul for an activity dedicated to the environment and sustainability! Near the Antanhol stream, we ran an interpretive session on riparian ecosystems, focusing especially on the importance of aquatic invertebrate communities as bioindicators of water quality. We also had the opportunity to share information about the many species of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians found along this watercourse, passing on curiosities about their life cycles and ecology.
Read →Faced with the many flaws and problems inherent to Portugal's Integrated Rural Fire Management System (SGIFR), Milvoz decided to act and try to improve it by joining forces with other associations and citizens. We gathered a group of motivated people to counter the unfounded notion that tackling the devastating fires of Portuguese summers means clearing large biodiverse forest areas.
Read →The start of this year was marked by the felling of several eucalyptus trees at the top of the slope at the Senhora da Alegria Bio-Reserve, using prize money from EDP's Planeta Zero competition. Since then, vigorous regrowth from the base of these plants made control action necessary. On the last weekend of September we gathered with this mission in mind and successfully suppressed all eucalyptus regrowth. Eucalyptus is one of the most damaging exotic species for Portuguese biodiversity.
Read →In collaboration with ADC Almalaguês, Milvoz was present at the event "Por Terras de Almalaki" on 22 October. We contributed with a talk entitled "Understanding Sustainability" and a guided visit to our local Bio-Reserve: Senhora da Alegria. It was a wonderful day spent alongside people eager to learn more about the region's incredible heritage, which deserves to be constantly celebrated. We warmly thank the invitation extended to us.
Read →Coimbra, the City of Knowledge and Students, does not seem to have learned anything from the past two decades, much like the rest of the country. A forested area that had already burned in 2005, 2012 and 2017 is burning again under the same circumstances. A Google Street View image from 2023 shows the state of this land before the fire: a disordered eucalyptus plantation, infested with invasive species and still bearing the visible scars of previous fires. A forest that "exists only to burn".
Read →Milvoz was present with its stand at Luna Fest, on the 6th, 7th and 8th of September. Ready to welcome any member of the public, the Milvoz team signed up new members, spread its mission and showcased its projects! Our presence at events like this is very important so we can promote the region's rich natural values, the main threats to their conservation and the actions every citizen can take to improve the natural environment around them.
Read →Represented by two of the people who know the Senhora da Alegria Bio-Reserve best — Pedro Gomes and Margarida Portela — Milvoz was among the guests invited to take part in the Open Conversations circle held at the University of Coimbra Archive. The association's president and one of its most active volunteers in environmental management at the Senhora da Alegria hillside (also a researcher at the Centre for Geography Studies of the University of Coimbra) spoke for over an hour about this biodiversity oasis.
Read →This month, the Morena Bio-Reserve was the setting for two interpretive visits. On the late afternoons of 15 and 24 August, Milvoz gathered 18 people to demonstrate the importance of local biodiversity refuges and how to manage them. The topic of saproxylic insects (animals that feed on dead wood) was also addressed — these organisms renew the nutrient cycle in ecosystems and contribute to their overall health. Special attention was given to the stag beetle, one of the most significant living beings in this Bio-Reserve
Read →Milvoz is partnering with Luna Fest for the second edition of this Coimbra festival. As part of this partnership, we are recruiting 8 volunteers to promote the sustainability of the event, which will take place from 6 to 8 September at Praça da Canção in Coimbra. Volunteers will be responsible for two key tasks: • Carrying out environmental awareness actions with festival participants and stand holders. • Supporting the management of the recycling stations on site: • Checking and collecting the recycling points
Read →To celebrate the entry into force of the Nature Restoration Law, the Milvoz team travelled to the Serra da Pescaria, in Nazaré — the Bio-Reserve furthest from the association's core area — on 18 August.
Read →August is beach season — but not only. For that reason, CIVG – Vasco da Gama Research Centre (Vasco da Gama University School) decided to join Milvoz and CERVAS (Centre for Ecology, Recovery and Surveillance of Wild Animals) to venture into the forest now known as the Senhora da Alegria Bio-Reserve. As part of the Ciência Viva no Verão programme, the interpretive walk held on 5 August introduced visitors to the hillside and Milvoz's work
Read →With the aim of taking nature beyond borders and forging closer ties among conservationists who speak Portuguese, Radar Verde — a Brazilian news portal — was born. At their invitation, Milvoz wrote a chronicle about the work we have been doing, in order to reach new audiences. The topic of this chronicle has been addressed by us many times before, but we will keep insisting for as long as the problems persist. It speaks of the difficulty of conserving habitat
Read →Next week we make our debut in the Ciência Viva no Verão programme. The first activity, in partnership with CIVG – Vasco da Gama Research Centre (Vasco da Gama University School) and CERVAS (Centre for Ecology, Recovery and Surveillance of Wild Animals), will take place at the Senhora da Alegria Bio-Reserve on 5 August at 9:30 am, with a walk to explore and interpret this location we never tire of promoting. Also eager to discover this spot
Read →Milvoz was the featured guest in an episode of the podcast Éveille ta Ville (Wake Up Your City). Created by a group of French journalists travelling across several European countries to spotlight sustainable projects, this podcast showcased the Senhora da Alegria Bio-Reserve and Milvoz's missions. Myriam Kanoun-Boulé and Pedro Gomes, both founding members of the association, served as spokespeople in the conversation, discussing the network of Bio-Reserves we are building, fundraising mechani
Read →Milvoz will be present at the University of Coimbra Archive next Friday, 12 July, to speak about the Senhora da Alegria Bio-Reserve. This location, so rich from a historical, cultural and ecological point of view, deserves every bit of attention, especially for those who have not yet discovered the association's first Bio-Reserve. Join us from 6 pm to learn about the treasures sheltered on this ever more vibrant hillside in Almalaguês, which has been part of Milvoz's heritage sinc
Read →Milvoz appeared on Rádio Universidade de Coimbra to shed more light on the latest environmental assault we have reported: the incomprehensible devastation of a vast area of enormous ecological and cultural importance on Serra do Ilhastro, near Brasfemes. The manifesto and petition remain available on our website, where you can find all the information. If you have not yet signed the petition, now is the ideal time to do so! Do not let this precious natural heritage be raze
Read →Given the very limited occurrence of the ragged robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi) within the Senhora da Alegria Bio-Reserve (and throughout the region), Milvoz members last year attempted ex-situ multiplication of the species, in order to make its introduction into suitable nearby locations possible. In this way, we sought to foster more population nuclei in the area, making the species more resilient and less susceptible to local extinction
Read →May came to a close with an interpretive walk organised by Milvoz. Setting off from the village of Almalaguês, walkers made their way towards the slope of the Senhora da Alegria Bio-Reserve, taking in the rich natural values along the trail. The region's exceptionally diverse flora, fully represented in this biodiversity hotspot, was at its spring peak — allowing visitors to observe many of the most emblematic species of this location. Wildlife, particularly active at this time of year
Read →Over the past week, Milvoz took another step in one of the battles it considers important and essential for nature conservation: the fight against invasive species. Since the creation of our first Bio-Reserve, we have addressed this issue in the management of our spaces, as well as raising public awareness of the potential consequences these species have on ecosystem balance. With the Life CoopCortaderia programme uniting efforts at an internatio
Read →Following an earlier statement, Milvoz now publishes the manifesto regarding the destruction of one of the most important biodiversity hotspots in the Central region, entitled "Coimbra Council Mortgages the First Hotspot of the Municipal Micro-Reserve Network". In it, we reveal the reasons behind the richness of this unique place in the region, the project threatening it, the positions of the various institutions that contributed to its incomprehensible approval, and we call for nature to be given a chance, pro
Read →Despite warnings from several institutions and organisations specialised in nature conservation, as well as protest actions and walks organised by collectives and concerned citizens, the construction of the photovoltaic plant at Serra de Brasfemes was ultimately approved by Coimbra City Council (CMC). Despite the critical state of much of the forested areas of the Coimbra region, and with hundreds — if not thousands — of hectares of alternative locations nearby that would have had a far lower ecologic
Read →On the 25th, Milvoz will host another activity under the 'Villages of Portugal' initiative — this time an interpretive walk along the new 'Bio-Reserve Senhora da Alegria Route'. Departure will be from the Instituto de Almalaguês at around 3 pm. Participation is free and open to all. Come and discover our Bio-Reserve, its surroundings, and the wonderful hidden corners throughout the valley.
Read →Milvoz recently completed the eucalyptus removal works at the Senhora da Alegria Bio-Reserve, an intervention funded by EDP's Planeta Zero project. Recall here how this process unfolded. Eucalyptus is an exotic species with negative impacts on Portuguese ecosystems, particularly by fuelling large-scale forest fires and not supporting local biodiversity. For this reason, we set out to remove most specimens of this species on the Bio-Reserve slope
Read →On 28 April, Milvoz held its Ordinary General Assembly, voting on and approving the Activity and Accounts Report for 2023, as well as the Activity Plan and Budget for 2024. The event was attended in person by 13 members, with 3 others joining online. Milvoz thanks all members present, as well as the Almalaguês Parish Council for providing the venue.
Read →A new design, slight reorganisation, and new information: that is the story of the new Milvoz website. Feel free to explore our virtual home, where you will find everything you need to know about our Bio-Reserves, team members, and the projects Milvoz is involved in!
Read →To promote and value the natural heritage of the central region, Milvoz joined the 'Villages of Portugal' project and will be carrying out activities in this context over the coming years. The first activity took place on the afternoon of 17 February at the Senhora da Alegria Bio-Reserve, with public participation in the construction of an insect shelter structure. This activity aimed to raise awareness of saproxylic organisms found in our native forests
Read →Milvoz was the winner of the +Sustainability 2023 Prize, awarded by Floema. Here is how the prize was put to use at the Senhora da Alegria Bio-Reserve! This Bio-Reserve, designed for community involvement and the development of volunteering and environmental awareness, received two benches and two interpretive tables on the main habitats present, as well as handrails on the steepest sections of the trail. In addition to directly supporting the promotion of the
Read →Following the project ‘Bio-Reserve Senhora da Alegria: a conservation project for the benefit of the territory and the community’, the Milvoz technical team produced two guides associated with this Bio-Reserve, located in Almalaguês. We have produced a Flora and Fauna Guide to the Senhora da Alegria Bio-Reserve, so you can get to know better the fantastic biodiversity recorded here. All species registered in the area since the Bio-Reserve was established in 2019 have been compiled, a
Read →Valentine's Day (coincidence or not!) was filled with visits to our Bio-Reserve. In the morning we welcomed members of Marionet theatre, a Coimbra-based theatre group that decided to support Milvoz in its mission to conserve and protect nature at Senhora da Alegria. A similar visit took place in the afternoon, when some participants and organisers of the Monocultures: Eco-Cultural Perspectives congress came to discover our Bio-Reserv
Read →Portuguese forests are suffering indiscriminate thinning as a result of the implementation of the National Forest Fire Defence Plan. Among the glaring examples of the broader problems with this plan is the recent felling of hundreds of holm oaks along several kilometres of road between Pelmá and Loureira, in the municipality of Alvaiázere. This specific case reflects a worrying trend extending from north to south, where territories rich in biodiversi
Read →On the first weekend of the year, the Caretaker Group of the Senhora da Alegria Bio-Reserve continued restoration work on the riparian gallery along the banks of Ribeiro dos Polomos, at the foot of the Bio-Reserve. The invasive exotic Giant Cane (Arundo donax) was removed — the first step towards creating the conditions for native plant species characteristic of these environments to become established. The aim of the intervention is to diversify the riparian vegetation, reducing shad
Read →A massive felling of holm oaks is underway along several kilometres of road linking the villages of Pelmá and Loureira, in Alvaiázere, in an area fully classified under the Natura 2000 Network. In addition to the hundreds of holm oaks of various sizes cut down, several cork oaks met the same fate, as did Portuguese oaks and olive trees. In response, Milvoz reported the incident to SEPNA and ICNF, awaiting further information and develop
Read →The initiative 'Bio-Reserve Senhora da Alegria, a conservation project for the benefit of the territory and the community', funded by the Environmental Fund, concluded in November. Here is the project in numbers! - More than 5,000 m² of intervention area at the Senhora da Alegria Bio-Reserve - Willow staking and habitat restoration through guided natural regeneration along Ribeiro dos Polomos - Construction of 3 ponds - Biodiversity survey of the species occurring in the Bio-Reserve, c
Read →Under the project funded by the Environmental Fund 'Bio-Reserve Senhora da Alegria, a conservation project for the benefit of the territory and the community', in partnership with the Broterian Society and the Centre for Functional Ecology at the University of Coimbra, Milvoz hosted an initiative at the Senhora da Alegria Bio-Reserve for the identification and recording of occurring species, this time with a particular focus on the macrofungus community.
Read →Part of Serra de Brasfemes, an area of particular biological value and habitat for several botanical treasures, has already been partially razed in recent days. The initiative belongs to CIMPOR and involves the installation of a photovoltaic plant across 12 hectares of the ridge. Following the repeated cases exposed in recent weeks, this is yet another example of how permissive current legislation is towards the destruction of unclassified areas of high biological value. This situati
Read →On 22 October 2023, Milvoz signed the Commitment Charter to join the team of associations that form part of the Almalaguês / Torre de Bera classification as Villages of Portugal! Milvoz's membership of this team will allow us to link cultural heritage with natural heritage — so often deeply intertwined — committing to the promotion of the natural values of the Almalaguês parish, where the Senhora da Alegria Bio-Reserve is located.
Read →On 16 November, the event 'Micro-reserves – What Role for Nature Conservation?' will take place at Quinta Torre de Bera in Almalaguês. This gathering, co-funded by the Environmental Fund, will bring together various organisations that are already actively implementing nature conservation projects based on the micro-reserve concept across Portugal. Registration is free but mandatory, and must be completed by 7 November via the following link: https:
Read →For more than two years the Special Area of Conservation of the Serra da Lousã has been subject to large-scale clear-cutting of forest, already involving several hundred hectares, with deep ecological and landscape damage within a Natura 2000 area.
Read →The environmental management activities at the Senhora da Alegria Bio-Reserve, under the project "Bio-Reserve Senhora da Alegria: a project for the benefit of the territory and the community", funded by the Environmental Fund, continue at a good pace. In late September, we set to work to control the spread of two invasive species threatening the balance of part of the slope — and especially the populations of the precious Iberian endemic Campanula alata discovered here last year. They are the beggarticks (
Read →At the end of July we received a very special visitor. Luís Salvador, a biologist by training and photographer by passion, set off on an adventure with Coimbra on his route. Departing from southern Alentejo with his final destination in Amsterdam (the Netherlands), where he lives, his sole means of transport is a bicycle. Alongside it, the centrepiece of this journey is his camera, through which he can tell stories — including that of Milvoz. Luís created the "Riding the Heatwave" project to raise awareness about climate change.
Read →Milvoz was invited by Auchan to present its work as part of their lecture series "Melancia Talks". In September we were welcomed by a small audience of the group's employees in the Coimbra region, some of them attending via an online platform. This short presentation was very well received and people showed openness to a future activity organised by the association at one of our Bio-Reserves. It is always a pleasure to meet and engage with new people.
Read →APA's intervention on the Mondego River was planned without ecological criteria, claiming that in two years "everything will look the same again". Works involving the cutting of riparian vegetation and intervention on the bed and banks of the Mondego River are proceeding in the absence of any ecological criteria, with no qualified human resources present for environmental monitoring of the works. The ongoing intervention on the banks of the Mondego River, promoted by the Portuguese Environment Agency, is progressing at pace.
Read →The project "Bio-Reserve Senhora da Alegria: a project for the benefit of the territory and community", funded by the Environmental Fund, is still under way and the activities show no sign of stopping. As part of this project, in late September, we gathered a group of 7 people to combat invasive exotic species and weeds in our first Bio-Reserve. In order to enhance the native plant community of the Bio-Reserve Senhora da Alegria, it is essential to control these species that compete with and displace indigenous vegetation.
Read →GPS — Grupo Protecção Sicó is an association specialising in geology and speleology that operates in the Serra do Sicó region, though the knowledge and interests of its members are broader and also encompass wildlife. Recently, they collaborated with us to allow us to explore the sinkhole at the Bio-Reserve da Morena, which would not have been possible without their equipment and expertise. This time it was our turn to return the favour, helping to survey the biodiversity for the 1st Bioblitz de Sicó.
Read →Last Thursday, works began on the bed and banks of the Mondego River between the Portela bridge and the Palheiros weir, as designed by the Portuguese Environment Agency. Among the planned actions is the intervention on the riparian vegetation along 3 kilometres of riverbank, removing any tree within or overhanging the riverbed, the straightening of the river course with removal of sandbanks and their riparian woodland, as well as the rip-rapping of a 350-metre section of riverbank.
Read →In the heart of Parque da Canção in Coimbra, the first edition of Luna Fest took place from 16 to 20 August. This summer festival packed with music and culture also featured multiple stands promoting local projects, including Milvoz. Over these 5 days we welcomed several dozen members of the public, with whom we had the privilege of discussing and exchanging ideas. Many showed great interest in engaging, learning more, and supporting Milvoz's work — the association gained 29 new members at this event.
Read →The stag beetle (Lucanus barbarossa) is already an old acquaintance of ours, roaming the trunks of Portuguese oak trees on summer nights in search of a mate. It was therefore a pleasure to stay out once more after sunset to look for it. In partnership with the VACALOURA.PT project and the Science Museum of the University of Coimbra, we ran this activity at the Bio-Reserve da Morena. We found a male and an already-dead female stag beetle, as well as some individuals of the carpenter beetle (Ergates faber).
Read →Milvoz welcomed a large group of young people of different nationalities at the Bio-Reserve Senhora da Alegria. Coming from Brazil, China and Colombia, around 100 participants in World Youth Day — held this year in Lisbon — were staying in Almalaguês and were invited to visit our first Bio-Reserve, located in the same parish. We accompanied the group along the trail that crosses the hillside, speaking about the work carried out and the association's missions. It was a memorable moment.
Read →On 30 July at 4pm, Milvoz held its electoral assembly to elect the association's governing bodies for the 2023–2026 term. A single list was presented and elected by the members present at the Centro Universitário Manuel da Nóbrega in Coimbra. The previous president of the association, Manuel Malva, now takes on the role of vice-president, succeeded by Pedro Gomes, who was sworn in as president. Verónica Oliveira is the new treasurer and Miguel Ferreira the secretary for the next 3 years.
Read →Several large Portuguese oak trees were felled in Reguengo do Fetal, within an E-REDES fuel management strip. Indiscriminate and unfounded interventions are multiplying across the country, with the approval and inaction of the ICNF. Over recent years, the Portuguese territory has been falling victim to a widespread implementation of fuel management strips — a practice that, in the form it is being applied, is of low effectiveness and is frequently counterproductive, as has been shown by the scientific community.
Read →The project "Bio-Reserve Senhora da Alegria: a project for the benefit of the territory and community", funded by the Environmental Fund in partnership with Eco Sapiens, is under way and there is work being done every day. A wonderful example is the video we share below, which captures the beauty of Milvoz's first Bio-Reserve, the work carried out here, and explains the importance of its conservation and preservation.
Read →It is in the Serra da Lousã that our first Integral Bio-Reserve is born. Around 70 hectares of habitats of high heritage and conservation value, this area includes ancient forests with almost no human influence.
Read →We were thrilled to discover that the newly established Bio-Reserve da Morena contains a sinkhole within its boundaries. However, its nature and dimensions were still unknown. We therefore contacted GPS — Grupo Protecção Sicó, an ENGO with whom we maintain excellent relations, to allow us to descend into the sinkhole and explore it in complete safety. As speleology experts, GPS members have all the equipment and knowledge needed for this adventure.
Read →Milvoz continues to travel across the Coimbra region to share its work. In May, we went to Cantanhede at the invitation of the FotografARTE Association, where we spoke about our Bio-Reserves and discussed the role photography can play in their conservation. Still in May, Aveiro was the destination for the seminar 'Environmental sustainability and development: challenges and good practices', organised by the School of Technology and Management of Águeda (University of Aveiro).
Read →One of Milvoz's core activities is promoting environmental values within the community, and the youngest members of society are no exception. The ongoing project "Bio-Reserve Senhora da Alegria: a project for the benefit of the territory and community" included visits to several schools in the Coimbra region, where the Milvoz technical team introduced the first space the association acquired and has been preserving ever since. Nine sessions took place between February and May.
Read →In late April, Milvoz organised its first Bioblitz. As part of the project "Bio-Reserve Senhora da Alegria: a project for the benefit of the territory and community", this event brought together more than a dozen specialists in various species groups to help us survey the biodiversity of Senhora da Alegria. The scientists, from the Broteriana Society and the University of Coimbra, came prepared with all the necessary equipment and above all with their immense knowledge.
Read →The name is already self-explanatory: "Bio-Reserve Senhora da Alegria: a project for the benefit of the territory and community". This is a new project Milvoz has taken on, funded by the Environmental Fund, encompassing a set of actions aimed at strengthening the ecological recovery of the association's first Bio-Reserve and expanding its outreach activities. Milvoz has the support of Eco Sapiens to boost the project's communication and dissemination, and preliminary results are very encouraging.
Read →Enthusiasm and good cheer: that is what remained from the two guided visits we held at the newly established Bio-Reserve da Morena on the first weekend of April. Sun and rain alike, as April promises every year, the weather did not deter the two dozen people who wanted to discover Milvoz's new space. Walking through the valley, eyes of wonder were constantly directed at the beautiful green hillsides. In this spirit of sharing with the public, Milvoz members highlighted the association's objectives for the Bio-Reserve da Morena.
Read →Drawn in by the sounds of Spring, we decided to organise 2 wildlife observation activities at the Bio-Reserve Senhora da Alegria, in the second half of March. As night falls, it is the ideal time to descend the hillside and search for frogs and salamanders in the dampest corners of the Bio-Reserve. So it was on 18 March — a wonderful moment shared with 5 visitors who follow Milvoz's work. We had the opportunity to record the Bosca's newt (Lissotriton boscai) and marbled newt (Triturus marmoratus).
Read →It had already been announced and has now been confirmed in person. Milvoz was awarded the + Sustainability Prize by Floema. Spending a day in the excellent company of the other nominated organisations — Ocean Patrol, SPEA, Bioliving, Quinta das Águias, GEOTA and PATO — at the Lisbon International Fair (FIL), Milvoz's work for the environment was once again highlighted, leaving us with a sense of duty fulfilled. In another associative endeavour, we also travelled to Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo.
Read →The area managed by Milvoz has grown considerably over the past few weeks with the acquisition of another Bio-Reserve at a symbolic price. The Bio-Reserve da Morena is a forested area of 15 hectares in excellent conservation condition, 8 of which are already owned by Milvoz, located in the parish of Cernache, near Coimbra. The Bio-Reserve da Morena consists of a beautiful south-facing hillside descending into a valley crossed by a seasonal watercourse that easily infiltrates its calcareous soil.
Read →In early March, Milvoz welcomed representatives of yet another political party on a visit to the Bio-Reserve Senhora da Alegria. This time it was the Local Coordination Group (GCL) and several members and supporters of the Coimbra Territorial Branch (NTC) of LIVRE. It was a pleasure to discuss with them our ambitions and struggles regarding nature conservation, a particularly meaningful dialogue in this well-preserved stretch of land that stands as an exception in a landscape dominated by vast eucalyptus monocultures.
Read →Milvoz launched a fundraising campaign at the end of September, and that campaign comes to a close 4 months later. Initially, we set two main goals: €22,000 for the purchase and deed of 7 plots of land near the Bio-Reserve Senhora da Alegria (Almalaguês); and an additional €11,000 for the purchase and deed of a plot where an interpretive centre will be established in the future to showcase Milvoz's activities and the history of the Bio-Reserve Senhora da Alegria. With the contribution of many supporters, we reached both goals.
Read →Milvoz joins the newly formed Co-management Committee of the Paul de Arzila Nature Reserve, having applied in partnership with FAPAS — the Portuguese Association for Biodiversity Conservation. The representatives of environmental non-governmental organisations on this committee will be Myriam Kanoun-Boulé and Manuel Malva. The committee also includes representatives from Amigos do Paul de Arzila, the Municipal Councils of Coimbra, Condeixa-a-Nova and Montemor-o-Velho, and the Institute for Nature Conservation.
Read →Recently, Milvoz was represented, on various occasions, alongside other organisations and entities. These initiatives are of great importance to Milvoz's mission, as they are excellent opportunities to share the work carried out and broaden the reach of Milvoz's nature conservation philosophy, bringing the vital work of environmental education and awareness to new and wider audiences. Equally, through sharing the Milvoz initiative, we seek to foster the emergence of similar environmental movements.
Read →Milvoz was the winner of the first edition of Floema's + Sustainability Award. Competing alongside other renowned organisations that share the same values and are dedicated to protecting nature — Ocean Patrol, SPEA, Bioliving, Quinta das Águias, GEOTA and PATO — we are honoured to be recognised once again for our work. Awards like this are enormously helpful in spreading the message that all these organisations seek to convey: it is urgent to safeguard biodiversity and combat climate change.
Read →Milvoz was featured in the Alta Voz podcast by Coimbra Coolectiva. The topic was the crowdfunding campaign the association has under way to expand the Bio-Reserve Senhora da Alegria. Presenting detailed information about our work and the most notable ecological features of the hillside, the podcast also includes statements from Manuel Malva, president of Milvoz. This new form of outreach will certainly help reach new audiences and spread our message — and the greatest beneficiary will be nature itself.
Read →Since 17 July, Milvoz had been competing in EDP's Planeta Zero programme, which ended this Saturday. Over these 2 months, the project "Ecological Restoration at Senhora da Alegria" was open for votes from EDP customers, alongside two other projects. The result is very positive. With a total of 2,745 votes allocated to Milvoz, we won this competition! The €10,000 provided by EDP will now be distributed proportionally among the 3 projects.
Read →Recently classified as Vulnerable on the Red List of Vascular Flora of mainland Portugal, the small and discreet Campanula alata had escaped the attentive eyes of Milvoz members... until today. The Bio-Reserve Senhora da Alegria has revealed yet another of its treasures! Endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, the plant is identified primarily by its bell-shaped violet corolla and inhabits humid and shaded areas, under the canopy of riparian vegetation such as ash trees, alders or willows.
Read →Extreme drought is a condition Portugal has been increasingly facing and will undoubtedly be one of the most significant challenges shaping our future. Sectors such as agriculture and tourism are badly harmed by the lack of water, but natural ecosystems also feel this scarcity with great intensity. We understand just how grave this problem is when areas that remain naturally humid even in the summer season, such as the Bio-Reserve Senhora da Alegria, see their water points dry up through evaporation.
Read →Following news from the Lusa agency that two associations linked to eucalyptus and paper production are advocating the expansion of this species as a way to reduce fire risk, Milvoz – Nature Protection and Conservation Association cannot but express its most vehement disagreement with that position. Eucalyptus is a fast-growing exotic species, pyrophytic and a flame propagator, whose plantations have extremely negative impacts in terms of
Read →Milvoz has found a new plot of land that was illegally converted into a eucalyptus plantation, this time in the municipality of Ansião. A considerable area of Portuguese oak was razed and replaced by eucalyptus trees, an event that occurred after the entry into force of Law no. 77/2017 of 17 August. This exotic tree is highly flammable and, when multiplied in extensive unmanaged monocultures, fuels extremely violent fires, such as those that have recently ravaged our territory. Milvoz o
Read →As part of the relationships Milvoz maintains with various political parties, we welcomed 'PAN - People-Animals-Nature' to the Bio-Reserve Senhora da Alegria, in Almalaguês, on 17 July. A guided tour of the hillside was carried out, during which it was possible not only to share the wide range of natural values present, but also the various areas of work that the association has been developing since acquiring this space in 2019. It was possible to appreciate the floral diversity
Read →Milvoz has a project whose success depends on you! "Ecological Restoration at Senhora da Alegria" is one of 3 projects open to voting in EDP's Planeta Zero programme and can be your choice if you are an EDP customer. Image credits: Freepik.com. To vote, simply create an account at https://edpzero.cliente.edp.pt/planeta-zero/inicio, select Vantagens Zs and choose Doações a Projetos. Then, by selecting the Milvoz project, you confirm your vote. At the end of 2020, we expanded the Bio-Reserve Se
Read →In close collaboration with the geocaching.pt platform, Milvoz flagged geocaches for removal that were located in eagle owl nesting territories, work resulting from three years of mapping and monitoring by biologists Manuel Malva and João Rodrigues in the limestone massifs of Sicó-Alvaiázere and Aires e Candeeiros. Placed near nests and causing their subsequent abandonment, the six geocaches in question represented a threat to the regional conservation of the speci
Read →Three years after the crowdfunding campaign that launched the Milvoz project and enabled the acquisition of the first plot of land that now forms the heart of the Bio-Reserve Senhora da Alegria, we are announcing the intensive preparation of a new crowdfunding campaign, to be officially launched at the end of summer. This initiative, larger in scope than the first, will have as its central goal a considerable expansion of the Bio-Reserve Senhora da Alegria, doubling its current size (2 hectares). The result of a long process
Read →In the first days of 2022, two Milvoz members came across a newly planted eucalyptus stand in a valley between the village of Almalaguês and Rio de Galinhas, while searching for areas of conservation interest in the region. They quickly concluded that this new eucalyptus plantation had been established on a former oak woodland, now razed with the soil disturbed to receive the planting, a conclusion subsequently confirmed through satellite image history. This new eucalyp
Read →Milvoz members, intrigued by the apparent absence of fish in the Ribeiro dos Polomos throughout the area surrounding the Bio-Reserve Senhora da Alegria, carried out a meticulous survey of the watercourse, hoping to find fish species and to understand the reason for their absence in the stream. As a result of this survey, the first fish were recorded for the Bio-Reserve area: several dozen ruivaco (Achondrostoma oligolepis), an endemic species
Read →The Bio-Reserve Senhora da Alegria just keeps growing! On 8 June we registered a new adjacent plot of 2,000 square metres that now joins the area preserved by Milvoz. This is the second expansion of the Bio-Reserve, following the acquisition of a eucalyptus stand at the top of the hillside at the start of last year, which we have since begun converting back to native woodland. The new plot sits in the valley through which the Ribeiro dos Polomos runs and is dominated by black poplars (Populus nigra), hazel trees (Cory
Read →For the third consecutive time, we joined vacaloura.pt for the stag beetle weekend, an annual event featuring numerous activities across the various areas of the country where this insect occurs. The stag beetle (Lucanus cervus) is the centre of attention for all citizens who dedicate a few hours of their summer evening to biodiversity. This year, we decided to take a risk and organise the activity in Castelo Viegas, a location with occasional records over the years, but without established areas
Read →Milvoz took part in the 2nd National Invasive Species Week, joining forces with the Ecologic Restore Centre Cerdeira, in the Serra da Lousã. On the morning of 28 May, mimosa trees (Acacia dealbata) were uprooted and ring-barked on land subject to ecological restoration in the surroundings of the schist village of Cerdeira, with dozens of specimens of this species treated. In the afternoon, following a visit to the site and contact with the excellent and inspiring ecological restoration work carried out
Read →To tackle the pest that has been affecting countless Portuguese chestnut trees in recent years, Milvoz took the initiative of acquiring from RefCast, the Portuguese Chestnut Association, a set of units of the parasitoid Torymus sinensis. This small insect uses the chestnut gall wasp (Dryocosmus kuriphilus) as its host, and is known to weaken its populations and thereby reduce the impact on one of the most iconic species of our flora. The release of the parasitoid took place in May
Read →At the start of 2020, Milvoz set out to showcase the biodiversity that gives life to the Bio-Reserve Senhora da Alegria. This project involved writing short descriptive texts about one or more species, covering morphological characteristics, behaviours and curiosities. Published weekly on our social media, these texts enabled important interactions with our followers. With up-to-date information, citizens were able to learn about the most
Read →Milvoz organised, last April, an introductory water quality monitoring session for the Ribeiro dos Polomos, in the valley of the Bio-Reserve Senhora da Alegria. Using the monitoring kit from the Projeto Rios (ASPEA), Milvoz members measured some physical characteristics of the watercourse, such as the width and depth of the stream and the current speed, as well as chemical parameters such as pH and water hardness. The qual
Read →At 4:30 pm on 20 March, the 2022 General Assembly of Milvoz began. As health measures permitted, this time we were able to gather our members in person, at the hall of the Centro Desportivo e Recreativo Popular de Assafarge, with some participants joining remotely. In total, 20 participants discussed the report of activities carried out in 2021, the plan for those to be carried out in 2022, the accounts for 2021 and budget for 2022, which was approved, as well as other topics of general interest.
Read →The network of Milvoz members and supporters is essential to the growth of the association's projects and crucial in achieving its primary goal: the creation of a network of Bio-Reserves, areas of high environmental value dedicated to nature conservation. Among individual and corporate partners, Sementes de Portugal has been supporting the Milvoz project since its inception, demonstrating its environmental responsibility through its contribution to the preservation of the natural heritage managed
Read →e.near is celebrating its 9th anniversary with the #9ivingBack initiative, donating its birthday party budget to 9 non-profit organisations, including Milvoz. Congratulations on the initiative, e.near! This is an example of a promising partnership, where companies and associations join forces to give voice to the projects of the citizens they represent. At MilVoz, we believe companies play a fundamental role in the development and prosperity of these projects, while simultaneously
Read →At the invitation of the Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds (SPEA), MilVoz participated in the National Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) Census, from 14 to 16 January. Survey points were distributed along the Lower Mondego valley, the area most favourable for the species in the region, in order to estimate the number of wintering individuals present. The points covered by MilVoz members and volunteers were located in the Arunca valley, near Vila Nova de Anços, by S
Read →Without any practical action from the competent authorities, the systematic mortality of birds in transparent aquaculture nets continues to occur from north to south of the country. Meanwhile, the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF) continues to take no action to mitigate the problem, and has not provided any update on the study it was supposedly conducting and which was due to be released in May 2021. In March 2021, MilVoz denounced the inaction, compli
Read →Primroses (Primula acaulis) typically begin to bloom in the depths of winter, in the first days of the year. 2022 is no exception, and the Atlantic woodland of the Bio-Reserve already hosts these characteristic flowers, which herald the gradual increase in daylight hours after the winter solstice.
Read →The latest compilation of MilVoz's work is now available and is a retrospective of some of the most significant activities carried out by the association throughout 2021. To read it, simply click here!
Read →The construction of a boardwalk underway in the very heart of Paúl do Taipal, a Wetland of International Importance, is blatantly incompatible with the conservation of the natural values that give it Ramsar Site and Special Protection Area status for birdlife. The project is an initiative of the Municipality of Montemor-o-Velho, in partnership with the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF). Of recognised international importance, the diverse community of water birds
Read →MilVoz denounces the harmful management of the forest and landscape heritage of the Special Conservation Zone of Serra da Lousã. Massive forest clearings are taking place across dozens of hectares of the Serra da Lousã Natura 2000 site, particularly near the schist village of Vaqueirinho, but also in the vicinity of Talasnal, Casal Novo and Terreiro das Bruxas. The clearings appear to be mainly aimed at extracting large quantities of pine timber, and the cutting of broadleaf trees of high conservation value has also been verif
Read →The second area MilVoz will manage was registered on 22 October 2021 and is located on a beautiful hillside of the Serra da Pescaria, south of Nazaré. The site is characterised by a distinctive shrub community. The Bio-Reserve Serra da Pescaria hosts on its limestone soils a diverse, low-structured Mediterranean woodland, shaped by its high exposure to sea winds. In this paradisiacal setting, plant species characteristic of these habitats grow, such as
Read →The circular trail of the Bio-Reserve is complete! Just in time to enjoy the autumn beauty of this broadleaf woodland. You can now visit the Bio-Reserve on a circular route of about 1 km, encountering the different micro-habitats and the many native species that make this hillside so rich in life.
Read →The Portuguese Environment Agency has recognised MilVoz as a local Environmental Non-Governmental Organisation (ENGO). The growth in membership over recent months was essential to achieving this status. Official recognition as an ENGO is one of the requirements for designating 0.5% of income tax to MilVoz, and it is also necessary for us to be recognised as a public utility legal entity under the terms set out in Article 4 of the ENGO Statute. This will be one of our next objectives
Read →MilVoz has been monitoring and exposing the recurring deaths of birds in the transparent aerial nylon nets used in the aquaculture facilities of the Mondego estuary. The mortality is immense and affects a wide range of birds with the most diverse conservation statuses, from the smallest wading bird to the largest birds of prey. (You can access the image gallery here: https://shorturl.at/fkGI2). In response to the multiple complaints, a working group was created in February 2019, which includes MilV
Read →One of our major goals for 2020 has been achieved: bringing together 100 members who give voice to the environmental heritage of the Coimbra region. We now have all the requirements needed to obtain the title of Environmental Non-Governmental Organisation. Our application has already been submitted to the Portuguese Environment Agency and is currently under evaluation. This status update will allow us to raise our environmental ambitions, notably by enabling us to apply for
Read →Floema, based in Alcabideque (Condeixa-a-Nova), is once again collaborating with MilVoz, donating new directional signs made from recycled plastic to guide visitors along the newly designed trails at the Bio-Reserve Senhora da Alegria! Soon you will be able to walk the circular trail of the Bio-Reserve, allowing visitors to experience the diverse micro-habitats on this slope so rich in life!
Read →Milvoz was competing since 17 July in the Planeta Zero programme by EDP, which ended this Saturday. During these 2 months, the project "Ecological Restoration at Senhora da Alegria" was open for votes from EDP customers. The result is very positive: with a total of 2,745 votes allocated to Milvoz, we won this competition!
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