Under the motto «Caring today to preserve tomorrow», the initiatives aim at preserving biodiversity, valuing native species, and promoting environmental awareness, with activities for the school community and the general public.
The program kicks off on November 20, at 9:30 AM, at the Adega Cultural, with the presentation of 'Cacheirinha: A Little Porcupine, a Great Mission for Nature'. This will be followed by an awareness session on hedgehog biodiversity and protection, led by the Associação Amigos Picudos, the environmental theater show «Cacheirinha and its Mission», by Teatro do Longe, and the distribution of environmental commitment bracelets.
On the same day, at 3:00 PM, the Casa do Conhecimento hosts the exhibition «Fragments of Forest», by Adelino Silva, and the distribution of native trees, with students from Escola Básica de Vila Verde.
The «Discovering the Native Forest» environmental walk takes place on November 21, starting at Campo da Feira do Pico. The planting of native trees, «Planting the Future», occurs on November 23 at Monte da Santa, in Gême, involving students from several schools.
Environmental education continues on November 24 at Escola Básica de Ribeira do Neiva with «The Planetarium Goes to School», and on November 25, students from Escola Básica de Cabanelas participate in the «5 a Day» program at the Mercado Abastecedor de Braga (MARB).
November 26 is dedicated to the olive tree, with the initiative «Memories of the Olive Tree and Olive Oil in Vila Verde» at Escola Profissional Amar Terra Verde (EPATV). The program includes the lecture «The Olive Tree: memory, tradition, and future», olive oil and food tasting, and the photographic challenge «Olive Trees of Vila Verde – Living Heritage».
The Native Forest Week concludes on November 27, at Escola Secundária de Vila Verde, with the action «The Forest We Want to Leave», featuring a sensitization session by the Nature and Environment Protection Service (SEPNA) and a demonstration of forest protection methods.
Throughout the week, the Municipality of Vila Verde thus promotes the knowledge, valorization, and preservation of natural heritage, involving the school community and the population in activities that highlight the importance of the native forest for biodiversity and the future of the territory.
The initiative reinforces the shared responsibility in defending the environment and building a more sustainable territory.
