This project — funded by the Environmental Fund in its 2023 edition and completed in November of that year — was not just conservation: it was sharing, learning, and an invitation to all to engage in preserving nature.
Results achieved
Field intervention
- Over 5,000 m² of area covered
- Three ponds constructed
- Habitat restoration along the Ribeiro dos Polomos stream with willow stakes and natural revegetation
Biodiversity inventory
- 188 fauna species recorded
- 230 vascular flora species catalogued
Community engagement
- 20+ volunteer actions with 200+ participants
- 14 guided visits to the reserve
- 19 environmental education sessions reaching 680+ students
- 4 university workshops
Dissemination and materials
- 13 presentations at local, regional, and national events
- One regional meeting on the importance of micro-reserves in conservation
- Flora and Fauna Guide produced
- Ecological Management and Restoration Best Practices Guide created
Partnerships
- Collaboration with Eco Sapiens, University of Coimbra, and the Agricultural School of Coimbra
This project demonstrated that nature conservation is most effective when the community is fully involved. The results endure — and so do the connections made.
