ANP|WWF and Loulé City Council are launching the project “Restoration of Ecosystem Services”, which will promote increased resilience and reduced risk of rural fires in five villages in the interior of the municipality: Águas Frias and Sarnadas (Parish of Alte), Cortinhola and Amendoeira (Union of Parishes of Querença, Tôr, and Benafim), and Vermelhos (Parish of Ameixial).

In these villages, a set of actions will be developed aimed at reducing this risk, while simultaneously conserving biodiversity and local natural values. These actions include clearing undergrowth and reducing biofuel consumption, diversifying the species of trees and shrubs present (including planting native species), dividing existing plant populations into mosaics, and eliminating invasive alien species, among other actions to be agreed with rural landowners.

Public sessions have been organised with landowners on September 11 and 12, in order to identify land surrounding the villages where these actions can be implemented.