This week, awareness signs are being installed in the three housing areas of Ilha da Culatra and Ilha Deserta, highlighting the vital importance of the dunes, one of the most fragile and essential ecosystems on our coast.
With this initiative, the Union of Parishes of Faro, in partnership with AMIC – Associação de Moradores da Ilha da Culatra, Associação da Ilha do Farol de Santa Maria and Associação de Moradores dos Hangares, takes another significant step towards sustainability and of environmental preservation.
“Dunes play a fundamental role in protecting the coastal territory, acting as natural barriers against erosion caused by wind and tides. Furthermore, they are strategic sand reservoirs, capable of naturally nourishing the beaches, especially during periods of storms and coastal retreat. This process is essential for maintaining the balance between land and sea, a balance that climate change is seriously threatening”, says the União das Freguesias de Faro in a statement.
With the rise in average sea level and the increase in extreme meteorological phenomena, “the dunes become even more fundamental. They function as a natural line of defense, reducing the impact of rising waters and protecting coastal communities and infrastructure. At the same time, they are habitats rich in biodiversity, housing unique species of flora and fauna of great importance.”
The installation of these signs aims to “raise awareness among residents and visitors of the urgent need to protect this ecosystem. Preserving the dunes is not only an environmental issue, but also a strategy for adapting to climate change, ensuring a safer future for coastal populations.”
Bruno Lage, president of the Union of Parishes of Faro, highlights that “by taking care of the dunes, we are taking care of our territory, our beaches and our future. Preserving these natural sand deposits is everyone’s responsibility. We want to appeal to the collective conscience to respect and value this unique space.”
This initiative reflects the company’s commitment to “valuing its territory and protecting the natural resources that sustain life and tourism in the region. Together, we can protect this natural treasure, essential for our coast and for future generations.”
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