Conservation of Alvao Natural Park

  Portugal

Rural Areas

Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: 25th June - 5th July 2008

Description: Who we're working with

Alvão Natural Park was created in 1983 and protected under the Portuguese Nature Conservation Institute. It is one of several natural parks in the region that work on the conservation of natural and semi-natural areas directly in conjunction with supporting the local sustainable development. The park aims to maintain ecological processes, preserve genetic diversity and protect species and the ecosystems upon which they depend. Promoting the conservation of natural heritage and ecological balance, the conservation of traditional cultural values, improved welfare for the resident population as regards environmental quality, economic improvement and improved living conditions, environmental education, scientific research and eco-tourism. There is a good long standing relationship between BTCV and Alvão - in fact the park's Director Henrique Pereira has been on a BTCV Natural Break in Gloucestershire!

Where we're working

ALVÃO NATURAL PARK (7220 hectares) is in the Alvão Mountain in the north of Portugal, in the province of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, in the Vila Real district. This is a transitional zone between humid coastal region and increasingly drier interior. The high area creates an extensive granite basin, source of the important Olo River, between 500-1330m. The lower zone is a schist area with sloped valleys. Between there is a quartzite barrier, its hardness the reason for the abrupt height changes and the spectacular waterfalls of Fisgas do Ermelo. The mountain landscape, vegetation flora and fauna are very rich and diverse. Natural vegetation is Atlantic-Submediterranean woods mostly oak trees, but also some groves of birch and cork with chestnuts, holly, hazel, wild pear, bilberry, strawberry-tree and more. Heathers, brooms and gorses are the common shrubs. You can find some scientifically important, rare or threatened fauna: Iberian-salamander, Pyrenean-desman, several species of bats and birds, important insects like the alcon blue Maculinea alcon butterflies; and flora: Drosera rotundifolia, Narcissus asturiensis, Gentiana pneumonnthe.

What we'll be doing

We'll be involved in a range of habitat management activities, such as scrub clearance - particularly removal of the dreaded 'Haquea' - an invasive plant species taking over natural areas. In addition we'll continue work started last year to stabilise steep slopes prone to erosion by creating terraces and seeding. There may also be basic construction work on traditional dry-stone walls, information points for visitors, access, boundaries and signposts. The final plan will depend on how the winter has gone and the priorities it brings.

Benefits of our work

Our work is helping local systems of sustainable production in conjunction with efforts of the park and local community. The haquea removal is a critical part of the project directly helping to maintain the semi-natural habitats characteristic of the area and preserving traditional grazing lands. Work on way-marking and trails is an important part of visitor management in the park ensuring that the area can be enjoyed with minimal disturbance to wildlife and the environment.

Where we'll be staying

We'll be staying at a former forest guard house, now used as an Ecological School near the village of Arnal, 1000m above sea level and away from everything, except goats, cows, the odd dog or two and the occasional local. It has bedrooms, bathrooms with showers, kitchen, dining/living room and a meeting room. It's near the top of the mountain and has a long view to the valley and to the town of Vila Real. There's a nearby waterfall perfect for that end of the day refreshing dip, and even a local bar in the next village about 30min walk away.

Highlights: By way of orientation, we'll have an extensive guided tour of the natural park with villages, waterfall, mountains, prairies, goat herds and oak forests. We'll also take a day out to explore the Port Wine region of the Douro Valley (port caves, vineyards and unique landscape) taking the opportunity to sample its finest and visit the historic town of Vila Real. If it's big nightlife you want - this is the wrong holiday for you (although the trek to the bar of an evening can be quite an adventure!) But for the remote life, walking, splashing in waterfalls, watching the stars as the sun sets and curling up with a good book by the woodstove, it's perfect.

Qualifications: You must be over 18. No previous experience necessary.

Cost in US$: Approx. $770 (375 GBP)

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18-80

This Program is open to World Wide Participants.

Participants Travel to Portugal Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Other

BTCV's Mission Statement: BTCV is the UK's largest practical conservation organization. It is a charity which involves over 130,000 people every year in projects to bring about positive environmental change. When BTCV was first established, over 40 years ago, most projects took place in the countryside and on nature reserves. The emphasis was on nature reserves. The emphasis was on improving rural landscapes and protecting habitats for wildlife. However it is not just; Countryside Landscape Wildlife But also Providing opportunities to volunteer Improving towns and cities Building communities Developing skills Helping people into work BTCV's remit has broadened considerably over the last four decades. We have evolved to meet the needs of an ever changing world. As far as conservation work is concerned, BTCV now offers volunteering opportunities in urban as well as rural locations, thus improving our towns and cities as well as the countryside. But beyond this, we also; give support to local groups train people in conservation and life skills run schemes - and take part in government initiatives - to help people secure employment.

Year Founded: 1959