Systematic Conservation Planning, Protected area management and Nature Restoration
Évora, 14–16 July 2025
The European project NaturaConnect invites professionals working in nature and biodiversity conservation, spatial planning, and land management to participate in three intensive training courses in Évora from 14 to 16 July 2025.
These courses are designed to equip professionals from public administration and private organisations with the knowledge and skills needed to meet the ambitious targets of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the challenges of implementing the Nature Restoration Law. Delivered in person over full-day sessions, each course includes both a theoretical component and practical activities such as group exercises, debates, and field visits.
Places are limited to 14 participants per course, and registration is subject to a selection process. Applications will be assessed based on a short CV and a brief motivation statement. Preference will be given to professionals working in organisations directly involved in the course themes, ensuring multidisciplinary groups with complementary backgrounds are formed.
Target Audience
- Technicians from national and local public administration bodies with responsibilities in nature conservation, biodiversity, land use planning, and spatial management;
- Professionals from private organisations (both for-profit and non-profit) working in the same areas.
Courses will be conducted in Portuguese, and participants will receive a certificate of attendance. To learn more about each course, please download the detailed brochure.
14 July – Systematic Conservation Planning
Trainers: Miguel Bastos Araújo and Diogo Alagador, University of Évora
This course introduces the fundamentals of systematic conservation planning, exploring methods and approaches for identifying priority conservation areas and designing protected area networks. It will present tools integrating ecological, socio-economic, and governance criteria to support informed and adaptive decision-making.
15 July – Active and Adaptive Management of Protected Areas: Co-management 2.0?
Trainer: Rosário Oliveira, Institute of Social Sciences – University of Lisbon
Starting from a critical reflection on current co-management models, this course encourages exploring and developing more effective and resilient alternatives. It includes a panel session with guest speakers representing different sectors (public administration, ICNF, and agriculture), culminating in co-designing a new shared governance model.
16 July – Nature Restoration
Trainer: Carla Pinto-Cruz, MED Institute – University of Évora
Focusing on the new EU Nature Restoration Law, this course covers key ecological restoration concepts and the legal obligations of Member States. The practical component will take place in Tapada de Coelheiros, featuring pilot restoration actions in agroecosystems that showcase concrete measures to recover habitats and enhance biodiversity in agricultural landscapes.
Registration
Participation requires pre-registration by 5 May via the following online form:
All applicants will be contacted following a selection process.
A €50 participation fee covers logistical costs, payable only by selected participants.
About the NaturaConnect Project
The NaturaConnect project aims to support EU Member States in implementing the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, particularly the commitment to protect 30% of the EU’s land area, including 10% under strict protection. To achieve this, the project develops scientific knowledge, tools, and capacity-building activities to help professionals in each country effectively plan and manage protected areas and other conservation measures.
In this context, NaturaConnect also contributes to the development of a Trans-European Nature Network (TEN-N), promoting a network of representative, resilient, and well-connected conserved areas across Europe. The initiative brings together universities, research institutes, governmental bodies, and civil society organisations, working collaboratively with key stakeholders to turn political ambition into concrete action on the ground.
For further information, please contact:
Bárbara Pais
+351 931 958 115
