The Algarve has become a little greener thanks to ‘Operação Montanha Verde’, which saw over 4,000 volunteers planting a record 42,000 trees in eight Algarve municipalities on November 10 and 11.
The initiative, organised by Zoomarine and backed by several partners, was carried out in Portimão, Silves, Lagoa, Monchique, Loulé, São Brás de Alportel and Tavira and accomplished its goal of doubling the number of trees it had planted last year.
The number of volunteers also skyrocketed from around 1,250 in 2018 to around 4,000 this year.
‘Operação Montanha Verde’ was held for the first time in 2016. It has been the driving force behind the plantation of thousands of trees in the region, which is too often affected by devastating wildfires.
As many of the volunteers are schoolchildren, the initiative also aims to instill a sense of environmental mindfulness in future generations.
Among the initiative’s partners this year were the Algarve’s tourism board (RTA), waste management company Algar, regional water company Águas do Algarve and the Porches’ Vila Vita Parc resort.
‘Operação Montanha Verde’ was also once again granted the official President of the Republic sponsorship (Alto Patrocínio da Presidência da República), considered one of the most prestigious ‘seals of approval’ in Portugal.
“We are aware that planting 42,000 more trees in 2019 won’t change the world, but it can be a huge boost for the Algarve,” Zoomarine says, adding that “sometimes all it takes is one tree to help make a difference for humans, other species and collective consciousness”.
Schoolchildren to plant trees in Lagos
Around 600 students from Lagos’ Gil Eanes and Júlio Dantas schools will be taking part in a national reforestation initiative taking place until the end of this month.
Entitled ‘Movimento Terra de Esperança’, the initiative is promoted by Fundação Galp with the help of ANEFA, the national association of forest, agriculture and environmental companies.
The goal is to have 4,500 schoolchildren across the country planting around 110,000 trees until the end of November in 14 municipalities.
It also aims to mark the Day of Indigenous Forests which will be celebrated on November 23.
