Portugal faces the open Atlantic along its entire length, and the ocean sets the terms: cool, upwelling water rich in nutrients, a fishing tradition older than the nation, and a coast of long beaches, dunes, and estuaries. The Tagus and Sado estuaries near Lisbon are wintering grounds of European importance for waders and flamingos, sitting right beside a capital city.
Inland, the montado, the Portuguese cousin of the Spanish dehesa, is an oak savanna of cork and holm oak that produces most of the world’s cork, and it is one of the most successful examples anywhere of a working landscape that is also genuinely biodiverse. Cork is harvested from the living tree, which is then left to regrow for a decade, and the system has sustained itself for centuries.
The organizations here defend the montado against replacement by eucalyptus plantation, which burns catastrophically and supports almost nothing, protect the estuaries, and work on a fire problem that has killed many people in recent years and is closely tied to how the countryside is planted and abandoned.
Environmental Organizations in This Bioregion
16 organizations working across this landscape.
AIMM - Associação para a Investigação do Meio Marinho
AIMM, is a Portuguese NGO protecting marine species through education, research and conservation efforts.
AVX - Associação Vale do Xisto
Regenerating 230+ hectares in Serra da Lousã through reforestation, agroforestry, and education to restore biodiversity and ecological resilience.
Corema - Associação de Defesa do Património
Corema - The Heritage Defense Association, was established in 1988 as one of the first non profit environmental organizations registered in Portugal, with its ...
Fundação Ocean Azores
The Ocean Azores Foundation looks to fund ocean conservation projects in the Azores
GhostNetWork
GhostNetWork is a purpose-driven NGO whose aim is to build an impact movement to clean and protect the ocean from abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear.
Grupo Lobo - Associação para a Conservação do Lobo e do seu Ecossistema
Liga para a Proteccao da Natureza (LPN)
Liga para a Protecção da Natureza (LPN) is a Non-profit Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) with its main headquarters in Lisbon, Portugal. Founded in 1948, thus be...
MONTIS - Associa̤̣o de Conserva̤̣o da Natureza
MONTIS is a non-profit nature conservation NGO that operates in Portugal at national level. MONTIS was founded in 2014, with focus on managing territories, with rel...
Pangea Trust
We offer a compassionate solution to Europe’s zoos, circuses, and governments seeking a lifelong home for elephants in need.
Quercus - ANCN
Quercus – National Association for the Conservation of Nature, is a non-governmental organization
Rewilding Portugal
Rewilding Portugal is a private non-profit organization whose mission is to promote nature conservation through rewilding in Portugal.
Somar
Conserving the dolphins and whales of the Algarve, as well as the ocean, with a focus on underwater sound.
Surf Cura Associação de Surf Adaptado e Terapias
We empower individuals to thrive through surfing integrated with well-being and personal development therapies, irrespective of their limitations.
TRANSUMANCIA E NATUREZA - ASSOCIACAO (ATN)
We are an association with 20 years of history and work in the field of Nature Conservation. Bearing in mind your visit to our Faia Brava Reserve, allow me t...
Veredas da Estrela
Community Association from Serra da Estrela, Central Portugal. Preventing wildfires, creating communities and restore eco systems.