Over 300 participants join the first NaturaConnect online Seminar in Portugal
“Ecological Connectivity in the Context of Spatial Planning and Management” was the scope of the first online seminar organised in Portugal by NaturaConnect partner, University of Évora. With more than 300 participants from across the country, the online workshop was a unique opportunity to present the main concepts of ecological connectivity, review spatial planning instruments in Portugal, and understand the key steps for implementing Municipal Ecological Structures.
The session boasted a high level of technical expertise, bringing together spatial planning and nature conservation professionals working in municipalities, regional governments, NGOs, and the Public Administration at the national level. From theory to practice, participants also had the chance to hear firsthand experiences and best practices presented by a municipality and an NGO. The Municipality of Monchique in southern Portugal presented its forest fire prevention strategy and post-fire regeneration actions. Rewilding Portugal showcased how they enhance ecological restoration in the Greater Côa Valley by managing privately owned areas of high biological interest.
At the end of the session, participants had the opportunity to see their questions answered by the invited speakers and share their opinions on the main challenges in implementing ecological connectivity concepts in the management plans of their territories.
This was the first of three online sessions aimed at informing and technically empowering professionals in Portugal for the implementation of the targets of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the establishment of a resilient Trans-European Network for Nature Conservation.
The event was a co-organised by the University of Évora, the Portugal Spatial Planning Agency and the Social Sciences Institute – University of Lisbon.
Programme:
European and National Initiatives within the Scope of the European Biodiversity Strategy 2030
By Miguel Bastos Araújo, University of Évora
Ecological Connectivity in Spatial Planning
By Fátima Bacharel, Directorate-General for Spatial Planning
Ecological Connectivity in Land Management
By Rosário Oliveira, Institute of Social Sciences of the University of Lisbon
Landscape Transformation in the Municipality of Monchique – strategy, implementation, and management
By Sónia Martinho, Municipality of Monchique
The Experience of Rewilding Portugal in the Renaturalisation of Rural Properties
By Pedro Prata, Rewilding Portugal
Final Discussion | Identification of barriers and opportunities with participants
Seminar moderated by Bárbara Pais, University of Évora
