Maja, Dusanka, Andrej, Vera, Viktoria, Darina, Natasha, Paul, Milica
From 5-7 May, a team of R4L partners visited the associated region near Rio Estorãos, Ponte de Lima, in Portugal to launch our cooperation between the implementation site in Slovakia (Ruda River) and the Regional Protected Landscape Area of Lagoas de Bertiandos and São Pedro d’Arcos in which the Portuguese restoration site is situated.
The wetland is characterised by floodplain forests along the Estoraos river, humid pastures, lagoons and pine forests on higher ground. Unfortunately, the native forests are heavily invaded by eucalyptus and acacia trees that alter local ecological conditions. The municipal authorities are carrying out works, such as ring-barking exotic trees to kill them and prevent their further spread.
The workshop with around 35 stakeholders was held the following day at the protected area visitor centre. We exchanged information about and experience of the Restore4Life project as well as previous and ongoing projects in the Region, such as LifeFluvial and Merlin. We also conducted a PESTLE analysis with the stakeholders to establish the socio-economic circumstances that local enterprises operate under, and discussed approaches for formulating a road map for site restoration.
The following days were occupied with visits to three companies that had activities associated with the Landscape Area: a provider of accommodation, an organiser of outdoor recreation (hiking, cycling, kayaking), and a farmer raising local cattle for organic beef who was reverting former arable land to herb-rich pasture. The interviews gave a greater perspective of how ecosystem services from wetland restoration could underpin the establishment of local SMEs.
The organisation of our visit was excellent and we highly appreciate the support given to us by the staff of the Landscape Area and the Municipality of Ponte de Lima.
