A program to help regenerate our bioregion
The Ecosystem Restoration Community of the Southwestern Algarve presented a variety of actions and events throughout November, and the first week of December, 2025 to support the regeneration of our local ecosystem. Volunteers supported these works and helped scale our impact.
A full range of activities was planned throughout the month by the members of the Community. Participants and volunteers helped with landscape maintenance, reforestation, and waterworks building. Tours, trainings, and workshops were also offered.
This month was filled with a variety of ways for land stewards, agents of regeneration, and interested members of the public to get involved in ecosystem restoration!
2025 Collective impact
in numbers
3 Nov — 6 Dec 2025
Events
Participants
Guided Agroforestry Tours
Trees and perennials planted
Volunteer Hours
Projects
Why volunteers took part
Working in nature and the soil
Discovering and working with our local ecosystem
Learning about ecosystem restoration
Meeting and working with fellow earth stewards
About our Ecosystem Restoration Community
We are a group of changemakers who have come together to address the ongoing challenges related to ecosystem degradation in the southwestern Algarve. Our work entails holistic, community-led restoration approaches that unite nature, culture, and economy in our bioregion of the southwestern Algarve, Portugal.
Participating Projects & Actions
This program was presented by a collaborative group of restoration projects throughout the region
Actions taking place throughout the month included volunteering to directly support ecosystem regeneration, as well as tours, training, and workshops to share knowledge and improve skills.
Volunteers could attend as many of these actions as they wished!
3 TO 9 NOV, 2025
Ecosystem Regeneration Camp
A 7-day residential training camp focused on agroforestry and ecological regeneration. Participants came away from this training program with more knowledge, skills, and confidence in ecosystem restoration. Ages 18+.
3, 10, 17, 24 NOV & 1 DEC
Ecosystem Regeneration Mondays
A non-residential version of the Ecosystem Regeneration Camp.
4, 12, 26 & 28 NOV 2025
Water Storage and Retention & Forest Plantation
Quinta do Horizonte, in association with Restore Nature Foundation, offered two water-focused sessions and two planting sessions. Each session was from 2pm-7pm, and volunteers could join as many sessions as they wished. Ages 10+.
4 & 12 Nov: Workshop on storing and keeping the water in the landscape. 30 minute theory introduction followed by on-site construction of two small check dams.
26 & 28 Nov: Planting workshop on diverse agroforestry plantations inspired by the principles of syntropic agroforestry.
Questions about the action? Email Quinta do Horizonte.
6, 14, 20, 27 NOV & 4 DEC 2025
Agroforestry Actions
Vinha Velha hosted volunteers to perform maintenance and planting actions to support reforestation efforts on the property. Specific activities varied for each session. The activities were from 9am-1pm on each of the event days, and volunteers could join as many sessions as they wished. This event was open to all ages.
Questions about the action? Email Vinha Velha.
Corte Medronheira
Bensafrim
23 & 30 NOV 2025
Post-Wildfire Remediation
After a devastating summer fire, the Corte Medronheira community invited volunteers to join Sundays of hands-on restoration and learning. Together they cleared burned areas, protected the soil, rebuilt water-retention features, spread seeds, and planted native trees to help the landscape recover. Each session focused on a different theme while sharing stories, meals, and practical skills for fire-resilient ecosystems. Sessions were from 9:30am – 3:30pm. Ages 16+
Questions about the action? Email Corte Medronheira.
29 NOV 2025
Planting Fruit Trees and Native Trees
Quinta dos Três Figos worked on opening paths and clearing vegetation, followed by planting of fruit tress and native trees, mainly cork and holm oaks, in their 16ha ecosystem regenerative area. The session was from 9:30am-3pm, and was open to all ages.
Questions about the action? Email Quinta dos Três Figos.
19 NOV 2025
Building a Water Retention Landscape
African Peace Village’s action focused on the design, mapping, and initiation of a water retention landscape on a historical farm with dry wells. The session was from 1:30pm-6:30pm, and was presented in conjunction with Erasmus+. This event was open to ages 18+.
Questions about the action? Email African Peace Village.
21 NOV 2025
Medicinal Mediterranean Garden
Quinta do Jasmim implemented a garden featuring plants which provide natural remedies for healing. A variety of activities were presented, including site preparation, stone work, and planting a rich mix of medicinal and Mediterranean species. The session was from 9:30am – 1:00pm and was open to ages 18+.
Questions about the action? Email Quinta do Jasmim.
22 NOV 2025
Experimental Agroforestry
Zambujeira de Fora, in association with the Restore Nature Foundation, planted 30 linear meters of an experimental agroforestry system, focused on the production of opuntia ficus indica (prickly pear cactus), grapes, and a variety of fruits. The session was from 1:30pm-dark and was open to all ages.
Questions about the action? Email Zambujeira de Fora.
