The “Floresta Serra do Açor” (Serra do Açor Forest) project – which brings together the Jerónimo Martins Group, the Arganil Town Council, common land owners’ associations, and the Coimbra College of Agriculture – is an initiative aimed at preserving and developing the landscape ravaged by the wildfires. The joint effort of so many different entities under one reforestation project that aims to create, monitor and manage the forest in an integrated way, makes this an unprecedented initiative in the country.
The long-term project involves planting fire-resistant species to cover an area of 2,500 ha in inland Portugal and is expected to be carried out over a period of 40 years, with restoration of the forest designed to create new sources of income for the local populations while the biodiversity of forests is preserved.
Three years after the wildfires that ravaged the Serra do Açor mountains, the foundations have been laid to bring new life to the region of central Portugal. Most of the planting of new trees will take place in the first five years, preventing the forest from again being decimated by wildfires in the future – believe those involved.
The intervention underway aims at reversing the cycle by planting fire-resistant plant species, which will have a positive impact on protecting wildlife and creating economic conditions to attract and entice people to settle in the region.
With the support of the Coimbra College of Agriculture, which will guarantee the technical and scientific aspects of the project, an area that was mostly covered with pine trees will also be populated with native trees, such as cork oaks, chestnut trees, oak trees and strawberry trees.
Know some of the trees that will be planted in Serra do Açor
These tree species are more fire-resistant and will contribute to carbon sequestration from the atmosphere, helping to fight climate change. In the long term, the forest is expected to offer new sources of income, such as the cultivation of berries from the strawberry trees, chestnuts and cork production, and a pastoral project is planned in forest areas, an economic activity that has the advantage of animals clearing those areas. The municipality also believes that the forest regeneration will boost tourism in the region, another source of income and employment.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Jerónimo Martins Group
Respect for the environment is a priority of the Jerónimo Martins Group’s Responsibility strategy. Fighting climate change must necessarily include improving the quality and quantity of sustainably managed forests.
The “Serra do Açor Forest” initiative reinforces Jerónimo Martins’ commitment to preserving the environment, in line with UN Sustainable Development Goals 13: Climate Action and 15: Life on Land.
Find out more about the environmental priorities of the Jerónimo Martins Group here.
Know more about the Serra do Açor Forest project in Feed magazine.
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