Around 1,800 trees were planted in the heart of the Serra da Estrela by volunteers from the Polytechnic University of Coimbra (PUC), in an initiative that took place on 29 March. The action took place in Folgosinho, in the municipality of Gouveia, and was organised in collaboration with the Folgonatur Association, the Folgosinho Waste Land, the Folgosinho Parish Council and Gouveia Town Council. The initiative, entitled ‘Together We Will Help Reforest Serra da Estrela’, aimed to contribute to the recovery of biodiversity and the restoration of the areas affected by the 2022 fires in the Serra da Estrela Natural Park.
The action brought together students, teachers and non-teaching staff from the Polytechnic University of Coimbra, and involved planting chestnut, oak and birch trees – species native to the region. The choice of these species aims to promote the ecological resilience of the area, which was severely hit by the forest fires of 2022.
For Ana Ferreira, PUC’s vice-president, ‘this reforestation initiative is further proof of PUC’s ongoing commitment to environmental, social and economic sustainability. It reflects the commitment and dedication of the entire academic and external community, which has always been willing to collaborate in favour of a more sustainable future. PUC will continue to invest in initiatives like this, which contribute to environmental health and global well-being, encouraging everyone’s active participation and promoting positive and lasting change.’
The reforestation action took place in the context of the celebration of International Forest Day and World Tree Day, celebrated on 21 March. It was also part of the ‘UNIgreen Days’ campaign, promoted by the UNIgreen Alliance, of which PUC is a member, helping to offset the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions produced in its daily activities. This event is also aligned with the ‘Politécnico de Coimbra +Sustentável’ project, the aim of which is to implement sustainable environmental practices and measures in all areas of the Polytechnic University of Coimbra.
This event not only sought to restore the region’s ecosystem, but also to sensitise the community to the importance of adopting responsible attitudes towards environmental preservation and sustainability.
Folgonatur, a non-profit association set up after the 2017 fires, has been one of the main drivers of reforestation actions in Serra da Estrela, working tirelessly to mobilise human and material resources for the environmental recovery of the region.
