The program aims to transform national nature restoration goals into concrete, measurable projects, focusing on ecosystem recovery, biodiversity protection, climate change adaptation, and improving quality of life.
Braga was chosen for its diverse territory, including urban areas, rivers (Este and Cávado), agricultural and forest lands, allowing for testing various restoration solutions and developing a replicable model for other municipalities.
The Municipal Council President, João Rodrigues, highlighted the opportunity to "enhance our territory and improve the population's quality of life," bringing nature closer to people and making the city more resilient.
The "Braga Restaura 2027-2030" program will be developed within 120 days, identifying priority interventions, targets, investments, and a timeline. Interventions will include demonstrator projects in the Historic Center, the Este and Cávado rivers, and the Green Ring.
The restoration of the Este River is a key focus, with actions to recover riverbanks, improve water quality, control invasive species, and reduce flood risk.
The Minister of Environment and Energy, Maria da Graça Carvalho, stated that "Braga will allow us to test solutions, measure results, and learn from the execution," so the experience can serve as a national example.
The goal is for nature restoration to become a visible reality, strengthening the role of municipalities in ecosystem recovery and climate change adaptation.
