in collaboration with , this Monday planted a Miyawaki forest at Quinta do Meloal, in Faro, which belongs to . The initiative is part of , which aims to promote biodiversity and natural soil regeneration in the Algarve.
Inspired by the “Together We Protect” philosophy, Operation Green Mountain was born in 2017 and has been a force for environmental transformation in the Algarve, resulting in the planting of more than 126 thousand native trees to date.
In 2024, the project joined forces with Nativawaky to implement the Miyawaki method, an innovative dense and diverse plantation system that recreates native ecosystems capable of achieving self-sustainability in just three years. This approach is crucial in the context of combating drought and deforestation, serious problems affecting the region.
For Isabel Gaspar, Biologist and Conservation Coordinator of Zoomarine and Operation Green Mountain, “Operation Green Mountain is an example of what we can achieve when we join forces to protect the environment. With the creation of a Miyawaki forest in the parish of Conceição-Faro, we are taking an important step towards strengthening local ecosystems and facing challenges such as drought and deforestation in the Algarve. It is inspiring to see the active participation of children and volunteers in this action, as only through raising awareness among new generations can we guarantee a sustainable future for our region.”
Sónia Soares, biologist and founder of the Nativawaky project highlights the advantages of the Miyawaki method, “it is a methodology that allows you to plant not just trees, but forests, which are dense and rich in biodiversity and respect what occurs naturally in the ecosystems that surround. Species were planted that, as they are native to the Algarve landscape and various strata of a forest, help each other and allow their healthy development. This type of plantation after about 3 years is autonomous, not requiring irrigation.”
This year’s edition of the “Operation Green Mountain” initiative saw the participation of around 60 volunteers – including 42 children from two 4th year elementary school classes and a volunteer group from UAlg – who planted 330 trees and plants over of 30 native species.
Once again, Algar, a strategic partner since the first year of Operation Montanha Verde, contributed to the success of the initiative by providing the organic compound NutriVerde®, which offers important support to the initial phase of plant growth, encouraging their sustainability and robustness and is certified for use in organic farming, reinforcing ALGAR and Operation Montanha Verde’s commitment to long-term ecological practices.
Filomena Rosa, founder and president of AIPAR, highlighted the meaning of that plantation for the users who are part of Quinta do Meloal: “this is a dream come true! AIPAR has social responses in the area of protecting children and young people and in the area of disability, and this space meets our desire for these children and their families to get closer to nature and to create connections and nurture affection for plants, as they also deserve our protection”.
With initiatives such as Operation Green Mountain, which promote biodiversity and natural soil regeneration, Zoomarine reaffirms “its commitment to environmental regeneration and to building a greener, more resilient and prosperous future for the Algarve”.
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