Milvoz has taken another important step in strengthening the Senhora da Alegria Bio-Reserve with the acquisition of a new parcel of land, expanding the protected area and further enhancing its value for biodiversity conservation. This latest addition marks another milestone in the ongoing expansion and management of this biodiversity refuge.
The newly incorporated area lies at the foot of the hillside and includes a well-preserved woodland of native deciduous trees, featuring species such as the Pyrenean oak, sweet chestnut, and hazel. The land also encompasses a small escarpment and a stretch of the Polomos Stream, a habitat of high ecological value that supports a range of species characteristic of well-preserved freshwater ecosystems.
Among the wildlife already recorded in this area are the Northern Iberian chub, the Iberian frog, and the Iberian emerald lizard—three species endemic to the northwestern Iberian Peninsula whose presence highlights the area's importance for regional biodiversity. Eurasian otters also occasionally visit this section of the reserve, travelling upstream along the watercourse.
The expansion of the Senhora da Alegria Bio-Reserve is part of Milvoz's strategy to increase the protection of vulnerable native habitats while promoting the conservation and restoration of the most valuable natural ecosystems in the Coimbra region. This is another step in a growing project that will continue to evolve over the coming months. Stay tuned!
