Residential Camp
A camp for regeneration agents
The Ecosystem Regeneration Camp (ERC) is an immersive learning, action, and networking experience which shares, develops, and puts into practice seasonal knowledge of agroforestry and ecological regeneration. People from diverse backgrounds come together to act as regeneration agents for 7 days in a residential camp near Lagos, Portugal.
Participants come away from this training program with more knowledge, skills, and confidence in ecosystem restoration, while also creating powerful relationships with fellow attendees.
The program is taught in English, and the price is based on a donation model. See below for more information.
This course is presented by the following partners:
The Ecosystem Regeneration Camp empowers participants to become agents of change in the fight against ecosystem collapse
3-9 November 2025
Topic of the day
Various topics will be presented to nurture participants’ knowledge
Day 1
Regenerative agroforestry
- Introduction to regenerative agroforestry
- Guided tour of various examples of regenerative agroforestry
Day 2
Alley cropping
- Food sovereignty in productive agroforestry systems
Day 3
Syntropic agroforestry
- Ecological succession and the design of syntropic agroforestry systems
- Increasing the productivity of an existing syntropic system
- Planting a new area of syntropic agroforestry
Day 4
Wood pastures and fodder
- Why and how to manage a wood pasture and forage banks as a complement to holistic rotational grazing in the semi-arid region.
Day 5
Healthy soils and I.M.O. (indigenous microorganisms)
- Introduction to soil science and testing
- What makes and keeps soils healthy
- Making biofertilizer from indigenous microorganisms
Day 6
Semi-arid forest
- Regeneration of Mediterranean (semi-arid) coastal ecosystems
- Micro-water harvesting and reforestation techniques for regeneration in the semi-arid region
Day 7
Closing
- How to support the regeneration movement
- Next steps and evaluation
Main practical project
Each Ecosystem Regeneration Camp features an ongoing project which participants work on collaboratively during the course of the program. This project takes place on the farm and is designed to directly apply learning and skills in a practical and real way, producing tangible results in the field.
In the Fall 2025 ERC, we will be converting an unused dryland area of Vale da Lama into a drought-resistant agroforestry camp which will host Regeneration Agents in the future. To do this, we will actively improve the soil quality around existing trees, manage established fodder banks, and plant high-density, diverse multilevel agroforestry windbreaks.
Pattern of the day
Each day features a combination of theoretical and practical learning in association with applied work in the field. Click to expand and view. Subject to change as needed.
Pattern of the day
8:30 – Breakfast (included)
9:30 – Morning circle
10:00 – Topic of the day (theory and learning)
11:30 – Break
12:00 – Practical tutorial
13:00 – Lunch (included)
14:30 – Application of learning (work in the field)
18:00 – Community contributions
19:30 – Dinner (included)
21:00 – Evening activities
Ecosystem Regeneration Camp
Important details
For whom?
This experiential learning opportunity is offered to anyone interested in learning about, starting, or continuing the work of regenerating ecosystems in their home or work context.
This training is particularly impactful for people with experience in environmental and social activism who want to use the knowledge and skills acquired to increase their regenerative impact in actions in their own contexts.
This program is for people over 18.
Dates
Camp dates:
3-9 November 2025
Arrival:
2 November 2025
Registration deadline:
24 October 2025
Note: We also offer a non-residential version of this course in November. Learn more.
Language
English
Prices
By donation
(Read more below and find out how to contribute)
What to bring?
To ensure your comfort and safety, bring with you:
- Outdoor clothing (boots, hat, rain gear)
- Work gloves and any tools you wish to bring
- Water bottle and/or personal mug
- Camping gear, if camping (we also have some supplies available)
Learning
By the end of the week you will be able to:
- Apply ecosystem regeneration methods and techniques
- Mimic natural processes
- Use appropriate tools
- Participate in a network of learning, support and action
Cancellation policy
We reserve the right to cancel this course for any reason up to 14 days in advance of the program start date. We also reserve the right to cancel the course up to 2 days before the start date if the course appears likely to, or does, coincide with a government-imposed quarantine/travel ban in our region, as well as any other states of emergency and natural disasters. In either case, we will notify you about the cancellation as quickly as possible and refund any donation you have made.
Campo do Vale at Quinta Vale da Lama
Camping & Facilities
Ecosystem Regeneration Camp participants will have access to on-site camping facilities, including shaded tent sites, showers, toilets, a cafeteria and recreational areas. Some camping materials can be provided; please indicate your needs on the registration form.
1
Workshop area
2
Multi-purpose kitchen
3
Bathrooms and showers
4
Outdoor meet & camp area
5
Versatile indoor pavilion
General photos
Facilitator
Hugo Oliveira
Orla Design
Landscape Ecologist and Permaculturist. Co-founder and Regenerative Design Consultant at OrlaDesign. Researcher at the Center for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Change (Uni. Lisboa). Master’s in Ecological Design Thinking at Schumacher College. Completing his PhD in Interdisciplinary Landscape Management at Uni. Évora. Actively working with Permaculture as a designer, educator and researcher since 2006 in Europe, Asia and Australia. At Vale da Lama he is a consultant in the creation of landscape regeneration strategies for the semi-arid Mediterranean, focusing on Agroforestry as the main regeneration tool. Hugo has taught the Ecosystem Regeneration Camp program at Vale da Lama since 2017.
Quinta Vale da Lama
43 hectares – Connecting people of all ages to nature
Thousands of trees have been carefully planted, complemented by the installation of water collection systems to reinforce their growth.
Soil fertility receives special attention and is continually enriched through the incorporation of indigenous microorganisms, compost, bokashi, earthworms, mulch and other natural soil improvers.
An on-site soil laboratory helps monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of these interventions. In addition, a small group of sheep, two donkeys and a handful of chickens are strategically rotated on various plots, adhering to a holistic grazing plan designed to optimize the health of the land. In addition, the creation of five temporary Mediterranean ponds serves to promote biodiversity.
How can I contribute?
We offer these camps to teach others how to support and engage in ecosystem regeneration. In order to make this experience and training accessible to everyone, the camps run on a donation basis.
The cost of running this camp, including food, materials, staff training, organization and communication, as well as infrastructure, is about €300 per person.
By supporting through a direct donation or another manner which you deem appropriate, you help ensure that this opportunity reaches more people.
Please support in any way you can:
Make a donation!
Bring tools to use
gloves, pruning shears, etc.
Bring fresh vegetables or herbs for tea
or homemade bread and your best jams and preserves – the team will make lunch including your contributions
Spread the word!
Spread the word about this camp and our activities.
Details for making a monetary donation
Make a donation by direct bank transfer: Our bank details are: Caixa de Crédito Agrícola
IBAN: PT50 0045 7194 4037 3541 56688, BIC/SWIFT: CCCMPTPL
Note: To obtain an invoice for your donation, send us an email to programs@mudvalleyinstitute.org indicating your full name, Portuguese NIF number (if relevant), and the amount of the donation. It is also helpful to include your name in the description field when making the bank transfer.
Do you have any questions?
Email us at: programs@mudvalleyinstitute.org
English 
Portuguese