An ecosystem restoration community focused on action and impact.
Join us on this journey!
We are a group of changemakers with a wide variety of backgrounds, perspectives, skill sets, and experiences who have come together to address the ongoing challenges related to ecosystem degradation in the southwestern Algarve. Through effective planning, taking action, and growing our impact, we are working to assure improved soil quality, water availability, biodiversity, and local livelihoods.
We first came together in late 2024 to begin this regenerative journey, with an initial meeting and collaborative ideation session to kick start our work. Now in 2025, we will becoming increasingly active and engaged as we work to define and implement our collective impact strategy for our bioregion.
Read more to learn about us and our work, and consider joining an upcoming event to become an active part of our community. We will also be adding a resource section to this page as it becomes the central hub for our community and actions.
Join us on
this journey!
This community is facilitated by Mud Valley Institute, a regenerative education and action focused nonprofit located near Lagos, Portugal, working to reverse the effects of desertification in our local ecosystem. We also support educational efforts in the areas of eco-social regeneration and ecosystem restoration.
Questions about this community or its work? Email us at info@mudvalleyinstitute.org.
Our work
Regenerating our bioregion
Bioregions are geographic areas where ecological processes, species, landscapes, cultures, and economies interact. They reflect the interconnectedness of people and nature, and the impacts each has on the other. For time immemorial, watersheds have been a natural way to define bioregions.
We are working on holistic, community-led restoration approaches that unite nature, culture, and economy in our bioregion. We are geographically focused on the area found south and west of Foia Mountain, near Monchique, and generally west of the Rio Arade, for waterways draining to the south and west coasts of this part of the Algarve.
Why participate?
Our community is working to shape the future of the southwestern Algarve together
Being an active participant affords you the opportunity to be part of something bigger; something that will bring tangible change and improvement to our little part of the world.
Aligned vision
for a thriving, regenerative bioregion, focusing on the Monchique Watershed.
Co-create actionable strategies
for ecosystem restoration and socio-ecological resilience throughout the region.
Aligned resources and skills
to better implement and scale our work…we are stronger working together!
Meet and work with others
who also want to scale the impact of ecosystem regeneration here.
Who can join?
This community is for all who want to actively contribute to an improved, regenerated ecosystem in our local area.
Our local ecosystem is an intertwined, interdependant web having ecological, social, and economic aspects, each of which must be strong for the entire system to work effectively. Because of this complexity, we are seeking people with a variety of interests, viewpoints, experiences, and skills to come together to form a cohesive working group.
Land owners, farmers and stewards
whether actively engaged in, or wanting to get started on, ecosystem regeneration work at your location.
Non-land owners and regeneration agents
with knowledge and experience in ecosystem restoration who are ready for your next challenge.
Program designers and facilitators
who are ready to prepare and guide activities and events.
Scientists and reseachers
who want to contribute your academic and practical knowledge and expertise in support of our work.
Engaged citizens
wishing to be a part of the regeneration of the southwestern Algarve, regardless of your knowledge or skill level in regeneration.
Policymakers
working for government agencies which support ecosystem restoration initiatives and programs.
Participating projects
A dynamic collection of restoration projects is joining together to scale our impact
Quinta Vale da Lama
Odiáxere
Vinha Velha
Barão de São João
Quinta do Jasmim
Bensafrim
Restore Nature Foundation
Barão de São João
Santuário da Machada
Bensafrim
Quinta dos Três Figos
Marmelete
African Peace Village
Burgau
Zambujeira de Fora
Barão de São João
Corte Medronheira
Bensafrim
Quinta do Horizonte
Pedralva
Lagos Mais Verde
Lagos
Events
Our community is based on collaboration and interaction, whether that be a planning session or a regenerative-action event in the field. We would love for you to join us and be a part of the impact we are creating.
Please note that dates and topics are subject to change. Check this page regularly for updates.
Upcoming events
Month of Regeneration
November 2025, Various Dates
Locations across the Southwestern Algarve
A Month of Actions and Volunteering to Regenerate our Bioregion
The Ecosystem Restoration Community of the Southwestern Algarve will present a variety of actions and events throughout November, and the first week of December, 2025 to support the regeneration of our local ecosystem. We are actively seeking volunteers to support these works to help scale our impact.
A full range of activities are planned by the members of this community. Participants and volunteers will help with landscape maintenance, reforestation, and waterworks building. Tours, trainings, and workshops will also be offered.
This month will be filled with ways for land stewards, agents of regeneration, and interested members of the public to get involved in ecosystem restoration!
English 
Portuguese