Awareness Actions

Action E1 presents the average execution of the respective sub-actions.

The Webpage (www.liferelict.ect.uevora.pt) is online since March 2018 and it is regularly updated in both Portuguese and English. The contents of the webpage are diverse and includes news, events, information on the intervention areas, pedestrian trails, communications and photographs. Globally it has 32 articles and over 45 pages. Since its launch it reached 172 754 views and 27 884 users. The Facebook page (www.facebook.com/Life-Relict) has now 1 171 likes, but 1 238 are followers since it was launched in February 2018.

 

All panels are in place since November 2020. Panels content and layout was conceived by the UÉvora with revision and validation from CMMonc and CMSeia. Panels were produced in order to meet national legislation inside Protected areas. Panels layout are available online in LIFE-RELICT Webpage.

 

This sub-action is starting and the structure and contents are being defined as well as the process of selecting the company that will execute the design has started.

Action E2 presents the average execution of the respective sub-actions.

Information leaflets are printed in Portuguese and English. It should be noted that these leaflets have a very original format, as, in addition to an informative part about the project, they also have a postal card. It is thus hoped that they will be sent to friends and family members of the recipients of these leaflets and, consequently, increase the reach of people who are aware of the importance of conserving the Relics of the Continental Laurel Forest. Digital versions of the brochures can be downloaded from the publicity materials page.

 

The execution of this sub-action was divided in tasks between each partner involved, such as CMMonchique and CMSeia because they will have two different exhibitions, one about the Rhododendron and another about the Portuguese Laurel, respectively. Moreover, the scientific content was produced by UÉvora and the design was at the responsibility of each respective partner. However, the overall process was time consuming because revisions were made by all the involved partners in order to meet everyone expectations. At the moment of this report, the itinerant exhibition of CMMonchique was concluded and already used in the 2nd seminar of the project (16th of July 2021). To what concerns the itinerant exhibition of CMSeia, the design is concluded and it is expected to be printed out soon. The opening of Seia exhibition will take place on November 27th as part of the CISE Open Day. The main reason for the delay of these products is related to the need of special care that has been given to the production of this communication material in order to guarantee its utility and the information given during and after the project ends.

To what regards the Rhododendron Small Route in Monchique, UÉvora and the project partner CMMon created a partnership with Almargem Association, which is the coordinator of the Great Pedestrian Route (GR13 – Via Algarviana) and one of the biggest nature-based tourism promotors in Algarve, in Oct 2019. Thereafter, the production of the communication materials and the implementation of this small route was done in accordance with all partners involved in order to guarantee its sustainability in the after-LIFE. As such, the Rhododendron small route was included in Via Algarviana Route, in its new communication materials as a complementary small interpretative trail and is expected to ensure the dissemination to a wider audience. The Monchique Pedestrian Route was already implemented and officially inaugurated on the 16th of July 2021, after the 2nd Life-Relict Seminar. In the After-Life period, the Rhododendron small route will be maintained by the project partner CMMonchique and will have the technical support of Almargem Association.

To what concerns the Portuguese Laurel interpretive small route, the project partner CMSeia is preparing its materials and is committed to implemented it until the end of December 2021. This small route will overlap the one that already exist, named Rota dos Socalcos, being its communication material complementary to what already exists.

Since the beginning of the project that we have been making several contacts to the national, regional and local media in order to stimulate their curiosity in reporting our project progress. The results of our efforts are shown in the increasing number of articles produced and disseminated in our website (http://www.liferelict.ect.uevora.pt/index.php/imprensa/?lang=en). Meanwhile, we are collecting more images and videos throughout our fieldwork in order to produce some promotion videos and expected to disseminate them through our website and Facebook page. Moreover, in June 2019, a report in the format of a video was made by APA (Portuguese Environment Agency) about the project action in Monchique. This report happened during the 2nd project workshop.

 

Since the end of 2017, we have promoted LIFE-RELIT at the Christmas event called “Cabeça, Aldeia Natal”, in the village of Cabeça. In fact, in 2017 we set an exhibition where visitors could learn about the Project and the importance of the Habitat conservation. By that time, the organization estimated that 15 000 persons visited “Cabeça, Aldeia Natal”. In 2018 (December, 27) and 2019 (December, 14 and 27) CMSeia with the help of UÉvora organized interpretive visits to Prunus lusitanica forest. The activities consisted of a pedestrian walk (3km) in Cabeça surroundings and was part of event “Cabeça, Aldeia Natal” program. In the trail of 2018, it participated 12 persons and 45+12 in the two editions of 2019. Thereafter, due to the world pandemic, no more events were organized. However, if possible, next Christmas, one more event will be implemented.

Action E3 presents the average execution of the respective sub-actions.

So far, we involved 543 people in environmental education activities (i.e. 495 students ranging from preschool to secondary schools and 48 teachers and assistants). The type of activities varied among the age and the curriculum specifications of each class. It was developed 21 sessions within the school facilities or in CISE (Interpretation centre of Estrela Mountain) or online session and 10 fieldtrips to the intervention areas of the project.

At the beginning of 2018, all involved partners in this sub-action (CMSeia and CMMonchique) prepared education materials to apply in the schools within their range areas.

In the school year of 2018/2019, CMMonchique carried out environmental education activities to primary school students that visited the project intervention area of Vale Largo, learned about the importance of the project as well as the characteristics of the Rhododendron community. The project partner CMSeia also developed activities in this same school year to preschool and primary students. The contents of these activities included learning about the importance of the project as well as the characteristics of the Portuguese Laurel and some had the opportunity to visit Casal do Rei intervention area.

For the school year 2019/2020, UÉvora develop one environmental education activity in the secondary school of Gouveia. The project partner CMSeia applied a new education plan called “from the tree to the forest” to preschools and primary students. This plan included several sessions in CISE and activities in the Casal do Rei intervention area and was carried out during the months of September, October and November. Meanwhile, all the school activities, either in Seia as in Monchique, were interrupted due to the pandemic situation.

For the school year 2020/2021, the project partner CMSeia continue to apply the “from the tree to the forest” education plan to preschools and primary students. In this same school year, UÉvora created a new environmental education plan for the project partner CMMonchique but due to the ongoing world pandemic and school restrictions, it was not possible to implemented it. It is expected to be implemented in the next scholar year 2021/22 and to this end, the project partner CMMonchique will hire a teacher to implement this environmental activity plan. Moreover, during May and June 2021, UÉvora develop 3 sessions in a secondary school in Évora called André de Gouveia. These sessions aimed to introduce the project to students from 3 different professional courses, namely multimedia, sport and theatre. The main goal was, not only the dissemination of the project activities, explain the importance of the habitat and its threats, but also to encourage student to develop this thematic under their final coursework. By the time of this report, there was one student from the multimedia course interested in an internship with Life-Relict in order to produce audio-visual materials for their final coursework and to help us to disseminate further our project. UÉvora also developed 1 education session, this time online, to students from the Secondary School in Estremoz. This session was integrated in a broader seminar under the theme climate change and natural disasters where UÉvora presented how Life-Relict project is contributing to the mitigation of climate change in the 5230* habitat. Another 2 online education session were developed by UÉvora to students of the Secondary School of Portalegre, where the theme was native forests and in which Life-Relict was presented.

The school contest is about to be launched next school year (2021/22) in both areas: Seia and Monchique.

 

So far, we developed two informative sessions for the local population that took place in Cabeça village in the year of 2017 and 2019. The first, on 28th December 2017, the informative session involved several landowners and other interested residents. This session was implemented by the UÉvora and CMSeia project partner and more than 30 persons were present. The second informative session was held on 27th December 2019 in the “Cabeça, Aldeia Natal” event, after the interpretative visits under sub-action E2.5, we organized a Magusto (a popular autumn reunion around a fireplace, eating roasted chestnuts) for local population and visitors and it was in collaboration with local parish council. About 35 persons participated, where we had the opportunity to talk about LIFE-RELICT project.

Also, in 2019, an extra session was developed in Orvalho village, outside the intervention areas. For more information about this extra session, please visit to our website:
http://www.liferelict.ect.uevora.pt/index.php/2019/05/31/orvalho-detem-importante-repositorio-da-laurissilva-continental/?lang=en . Since than (2019) no more sessions were developed due to Covid-19 but we anticipate that during the last months of 2021 and/or begging of 2022 more informative session will be made possible, if the world pandemic situation allows.

During the event “Cabeça, Aldeia Natal” in 2019, the project partner CMSeia made a symbolic plantation with volunteers, in Estrela-Cabeça C2 intervention area. It was planted 20 Portuguese-laurel produced by CICYTEX in C1. During 2020, the project partner CMMonchique made an unforeseen extra activity with volunteer to plant 11.9 ha in our C7 areas, in Monchique. This involved several local stakeholders and the plants used were offered by the local plant nursery. Thus, it didn’t imply extra costs for the Life-Relict project.

Action E4 presents the average execution of the respective sub-actions.

 

We have done the 1st Life-Relict Seminar in Évora in the 14th and 15th of November 2018, in association with SPECO (17th National Ecology Meeting). The 15th of November was the specific day for LIFE-RELICT, and so, was free for participants. This event was published nationally since April 2018, especially in several net platforms. SPECO created the advertising material, with our help, but without extra expenses for LIFE-RELICT. UÉvora team contact sponsors and got several offers that were given to the participants: bags from “Piscinas Biológicas”, pen drives from ECOMED project, pencils and folders from “Assus” insurances, coffee from “Delta Cafés” and extra food from several local stores (fruit, cheese, sausages, wine). The seminar took place in UÉvora facilities. We had 180 inscriptions and a full amphitheatre. The strategy was to focus this seminar in conservation main problems, ensuring knowledge exchange between conservationist, researchers and conservation projects. In this regard, we invited three speakers: Angel Penas (climate specialist); Tomás Diaz (specialist in invasive control in Spain), and Elizabete Marchante (specialist in invasive control in Portugal). We also invited, without extra expenses, other LIFE projects, including LIFE-PRIOLO that was done some similar management interventions in Azores islands (For E5 objectives). In total in LIFE day we had 24 oral communications (including 3 conferences). After the seminar we organized a visit to Évora heritage (led by a specialist from Évora Municipality) followed by a cocktail with Alentejo Popular songs. Both visit and cocktail were offered by the municipality of Évora.

More recently, we have done the 2nd Life-Relict Seminar that took place in Caldas de Monchique, on the 16th of July 2021. Due to the pandemic situation it was only possible to have around 20 people present in the event but the Project partner CMMonchique made the necessary arrangements to have it broadcast Live in YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8C94s1XLE4Q). At the end of August 2021, the movie had more than 380 views. The program of the 2nd Life-Relict Seminar included not only the presentations of it progress made by all project partner but also presentations of local stakeholders such as Almargem Association and Geota. In this same day, the Rhododendron pedestrian route was officially inaugurated.

 

We have implemented three technical workshops. The 1st workshop was led by UÉvora and took place in Margaraça. This was a real success with the attendance of 35 participants from different entities (Quercus, ICNF, Reflorestar Portugal, Cicytex, the Municipality of Oleiros, Center for Functional Ecology – University of Coimbra, and local associations members) (See First Progress Report for more details).

The 2nd workshop took place in Monchique and was led by CMMonc with the theme “Valorisation and Management of Mediterranean Rhododendron ponticum communities”. We planned this 2nd workshop for 25 participants but in the end decided to extend the number of entries to 45 in order to ensure the participation of all interested entities, such as ICNF, GEOTA, APA, ISA, IGOT, UAlg, 2bforest, Biopiscinas, and several other local associations.

The 3rd workshop was held by CICYTEX on February the 14th 2020. The main topic was the propagation of vulnerable species. The event took place at the Instituto de Investigaciones Agraria, Finca La Orden, Valdesequera, in Badajoz. Here, the 48 participants had the opportunity to get to know more closely the work that the project partner CICYTEX has been developing under Action C1 – Collection and Propagation of Vegetable Material. The opening session was attended by the Director General of CICYTEX, Carmen González Ramos, with the coordinator of Life-Relict, Prof. Dr. Carlos Pinto Gomes from the UÉvora and with the Research Coordinator of CICYTEX, responsible for the working group for the propagation of vulnerable Life-Relict species, Francisco Vasquez Pardo. Thereafter followed the presentations on the work developed at CICYTEX within the scope of Life-Relict Project and some of the results already achieved were disclosed. Then, the participants went to see the facilities where everything happens, such as the laboratory where the seeds are cleaned and the first germination tests are carried out. The visit to the greenhouses took place immediately afterwards, where it is possible to observe the development of the Rhododendron cuttings (Rhododendron ponticum subsp. baeticum), the Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica) and many other species, including Quercus sp. Once more we applied a survey to participants to understand their perception of the 3rd workshop.

When analysing the data from the 3 surveys applied in the 3 workshops, the results show that the majority of participants have already heard about the target species, recognising that they are rare and in poor conservation state. Additionally, more than 70% of the participants know the existence of the Life-Relict project and admitted that their knowledge improved significantly after the workshops.

 

We represented Life-Relict project in 22 scientific national and international events with 32 oral communications and 2 posters to an estimate audience of 1683 people

 

Since the begging of the project we have develop 25 talks to an estimate audience of 372 undergraduates and graduate students at the University of Évora. One of this talk was during a field excursion to Serra da Estrela. The students were from different courses, such as BSc in Biology, MSc in Conservation Biology, BSc in Landscape Architecture, BSc Geography, BSc Ecotourism, MSc in Landscape Architecture, BSc Environment & Ecology and in Archeology and Environment. In order to reach wider audience, in Mars 2019 we held an open class with the title “Do you now continental Laurissilva?”, for the general public at the University of Évora. This class was properly disseminated through our platforms with posters placed throughout the University campus. This event was attended by 21 people, including students from the following degrees: Forestry; Environmental Architecture; Biology; Ecology and Environment; and Architecture.

 

The production of a field guide is extremely important for the dissemination of knowledge of the species, habitat and natural values of the Life-Relict intervention areas. For a correct and dignified dissemination, quality photographs are needed, so the compilation of all the images already collected and the planning of the collection of the missing images has already started.

Action E5 presents the average execution of the respective sub-actions.

This action is proceeding as planned. Until the end of August 2021, several contacts were made by the Life-Relict team with other LIFE projects, namely:

This action in continuous progress until the end of the Project.

Contacts were made with the Municipalities that host the Life-Relict target communities in order to offer technical-scientific support for the correct management and consequent replication of the Project’s C’s actions. By the end of August 2021, four municipalities, namely Mação, Pampilhosa, Oleiros and Proença-a-Nova, showed interest and started some work.

Additionally, ICNF replicated some C’s actions in Mata da Margaraça (outside the Life-Relict intervention area). Furthermore, a collaboration protocol was signed with GEOTA in 2020and to find out more click HERE.

 

For more information on other actions, please click on the following images:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Action E1 presents the average execution of the respective sub-actions.

The Webpage (www.liferelict.ect.uevora.pt) is online since March 2018 and it is regularly updated in both Portuguese and English. The contents of the webpage are diverse and includes news, events, information on the intervention areas, pedestrian trails, communications and photographs. Globally it has 32 articles and over 45 pages. Since its launch it reached 172 754 views and 27 884 users. The Facebook page (www.facebook.com/Life-Relict) has now 1 171 likes, but 1 238 are followers since it was launched in February 2018.

 

All panels are in place since November 2020. Panels content and layout was conceived by the UÉvora with revision and validation from CMMonc and CMSeia. Panels were produced in order to meet national legislation inside Protected areas. Panels layout are available online in LIFE-RELICT Webpage.

 

This sub-action is starting and the structure and contents are being defined as well as the process of selecting the company that will execute the design has started.

Action E2 presents the average execution of the respective sub-actions.

Information leaflets are printed in Portuguese and English. It should be noted that these leaflets have a very original format, as, in addition to an informative part about the project, they also have a postal card. It is thus hoped that they will be sent to friends and family members of the recipients of these leaflets and, consequently, increase the reach of people who are aware of the importance of conserving the Relics of the Continental Laurel Forest. Digital versions of the brochures can be downloaded from the publicity materials page.

 

The execution of this sub-action was divided in tasks between each partner involved, such as CMMonchique and CMSeia because they will have two different exhibitions, one about the Rhododendron and another about the Portuguese Laurel, respectively. Moreover, the scientific content was produced by UÉvora and the design was at the responsibility of each respective partner. However, the overall process was time consuming because revisions were made by all the involved partners in order to meet everyone expectations. At the moment of this report, the itinerant exhibition of CMMonchique was concluded and already used in the 2nd seminar of the project (16th of July 2021). To what concerns the itinerant exhibition of CMSeia, the design is concluded and it is expected to be printed out soon. The opening of Seia exhibition will take place on November 27th as part of the CISE Open Day. The main reason for the delay of these products is related to the need of special care that has been given to the production of this communication material in order to guarantee its utility and the information given during and after the project ends.

To what regards the Rhododendron Small Route in Monchique, UÉvora and the project partner CMMon created a partnership with Almargem Association, which is the coordinator of the Great Pedestrian Route (GR13 – Via Algarviana) and one of the biggest nature-based tourism promotors in Algarve, in Oct 2019. Thereafter, the production of the communication materials and the implementation of this small route was done in accordance with all partners involved in order to guarantee its sustainability in the after-LIFE. As such, the Rhododendron small route was included in Via Algarviana Route, in its new communication materials as a complementary small interpretative trail and is expected to ensure the dissemination to a wider audience. The Monchique Pedestrian Route was already implemented and officially inaugurated on the 16th of July 2021, after the 2nd Life-Relict Seminar. In the After-Life period, the Rhododendron small route will be maintained by the project partner CMMonchique and will have the technical support of Almargem Association.

To what concerns the Portuguese Laurel interpretive small route, the project partner CMSeia is preparing its materials and is committed to implemented it until the end of December 2021. This small route will overlap the one that already exist, named Rota dos Socalcos, being its communication material complementary to what already exists.

Since the beginning of the project that we have been making several contacts to the national, regional and local media in order to stimulate their curiosity in reporting our project progress. The results of our efforts are shown in the increasing number of articles produced and disseminated in our website (http://www.liferelict.ect.uevora.pt/index.php/imprensa/?lang=en). Meanwhile, we are collecting more images and videos throughout our fieldwork in order to produce some promotion videos and expected to disseminate them through our website and Facebook page. Moreover, in June 2019, a report in the format of a video was made by APA (Portuguese Environment Agency) about the project action in Monchique. This report happened during the 2nd project workshop.

 

Since the end of 2017, we have promoted LIFE-RELIT at the Christmas event called “Cabeça, Aldeia Natal”, in the village of Cabeça. In fact, in 2017 we set an exhibition where visitors could learn about the Project and the importance of the Habitat conservation. By that time, the organization estimated that 15 000 persons visited “Cabeça, Aldeia Natal”. In 2018 (December, 27) and 2019 (December, 14 and 27) CMSeia with the help of UÉvora organized interpretive visits to Prunus lusitanica forest. The activities consisted of a pedestrian walk (3km) in Cabeça surroundings and was part of event “Cabeça, Aldeia Natal” program. In the trail of 2018, it participated 12 persons and 45+12 in the two editions of 2019. Thereafter, due to the world pandemic, no more events were organized. However, if possible, next Christmas, one more event will be implemented.

Action E3 presents the average execution of the respective sub-actions.

So far, we involved 543 people in environmental education activities (i.e. 495 students ranging from preschool to secondary schools and 48 teachers and assistants). The type of activities varied among the age and the curriculum specifications of each class. It was developed 21 sessions within the school facilities or in CISE (Interpretation centre of Estrela Mountain) or online session and 10 fieldtrips to the intervention areas of the project.

At the beginning of 2018, all involved partners in this sub-action (CMSeia and CMMonchique) prepared education materials to apply in the schools within their range areas.

In the school year of 2018/2019, CMMonchique carried out environmental education activities to primary school students that visited the project intervention area of Vale Largo, learned about the importance of the project as well as the characteristics of the Rhododendron community. The project partner CMSeia also developed activities in this same school year to preschool and primary students. The contents of these activities included learning about the importance of the project as well as the characteristics of the Portuguese Laurel and some had the opportunity to visit Casal do Rei intervention area.

For the school year 2019/2020, UÉvora develop one environmental education activity in the secondary school of Gouveia. The project partner CMSeia applied a new education plan called “from the tree to the forest” to preschools and primary students. This plan included several sessions in CISE and activities in the Casal do Rei intervention area and was carried out during the months of September, October and November. Meanwhile, all the school activities, either in Seia as in Monchique, were interrupted due to the pandemic situation.

For the school year 2020/2021, the project partner CMSeia continue to apply the “from the tree to the forest” education plan to preschools and primary students. In this same school year, UÉvora created a new environmental education plan for the project partner CMMonchique but due to the ongoing world pandemic and school restrictions, it was not possible to implemented it. It is expected to be implemented in the next scholar year 2021/22 and to this end, the project partner CMMonchique will hire a teacher to implement this environmental activity plan. Moreover, during May and June 2021, UÉvora develop 3 sessions in a secondary school in Évora called André de Gouveia. These sessions aimed to introduce the project to students from 3 different professional courses, namely multimedia, sport and theatre. The main goal was, not only the dissemination of the project activities, explain the importance of the habitat and its threats, but also to encourage student to develop this thematic under their final coursework. By the time of this report, there was one student from the multimedia course interested in an internship with Life-Relict in order to produce audio-visual materials for their final coursework and to help us to disseminate further our project. UÉvora also developed 1 education session, this time online, to students from the Secondary School in Estremoz. This session was integrated in a broader seminar under the theme climate change and natural disasters where UÉvora presented how Life-Relict project is contributing to the mitigation of climate change in the 5230* habitat. Another 2 online education session were developed by UÉvora to students of the Secondary School of Portalegre, where the theme was native forests and in which Life-Relict was presented.

The school contest is about to be launched next school year (2021/22) in both areas: Seia and Monchique.

 

So far, we developed two informative sessions for the local population that took place in Cabeça village in the year of 2017 and 2019. The first, on 28th December 2017, the informative session involved several landowners and other interested residents. This session was implemented by the UÉvora and CMSeia project partner and more than 30 persons were present. The second informative session was held on 27th December 2019 in the “Cabeça, Aldeia Natal” event, after the interpretative visits under sub-action E2.5, we organized a Magusto (a popular autumn reunion around a fireplace, eating roasted chestnuts) for local population and visitors and it was in collaboration with local parish council. About 35 persons participated, where we had the opportunity to talk about LIFE-RELICT project.

Also, in 2019, an extra session was developed in Orvalho village, outside the intervention areas. For more information about this extra session, please visit to our website:
http://www.liferelict.ect.uevora.pt/index.php/2019/05/31/orvalho-detem-importante-repositorio-da-laurissilva-continental/?lang=en . Since than (2019) no more sessions were developed due to Covid-19 but we anticipate that during the last months of 2021 and/or begging of 2022 more informative session will be made possible, if the world pandemic situation allows.

During the event “Cabeça, Aldeia Natal” in 2019, the project partner CMSeia made a symbolic plantation with volunteers, in Estrela-Cabeça C2 intervention area. It was planted 20 Portuguese-laurel produced by CICYTEX in C1. During 2020, the project partner CMMonchique made an unforeseen extra activity with volunteer to plant 11.9 ha in our C7 areas, in Monchique. This involved several local stakeholders and the plants used were offered by the local plant nursery. Thus, it didn’t imply extra costs for the Life-Relict project.

Action E4 presents the average execution of the respective sub-actions.

 

We have done the 1st Life-Relict Seminar in Évora in the 14th and 15th of November 2018, in association with SPECO (17th National Ecology Meeting). The 15th of November was the specific day for LIFE-RELICT, and so, was free for participants. This event was published nationally since April 2018, especially in several net platforms. SPECO created the advertising material, with our help, but without extra expenses for LIFE-RELICT. UÉvora team contact sponsors and got several offers that were given to the participants: bags from “Piscinas Biológicas”, pen drives from ECOMED project, pencils and folders from “Assus” insurances, coffee from “Delta Cafés” and extra food from several local stores (fruit, cheese, sausages, wine). The seminar took place in UÉvora facilities. We had 180 inscriptions and a full amphitheatre. The strategy was to focus this seminar in conservation main problems, ensuring knowledge exchange between conservationist, researchers and conservation projects. In this regard, we invited three speakers: Angel Penas (climate specialist); Tomás Diaz (specialist in invasive control in Spain), and Elizabete Marchante (specialist in invasive control in Portugal). We also invited, without extra expenses, other LIFE projects, including LIFE-PRIOLO that was done some similar management interventions in Azores islands (For E5 objectives). In total in LIFE day we had 24 oral communications (including 3 conferences). After the seminar we organized a visit to Évora heritage (led by a specialist from Évora Municipality) followed by a cocktail with Alentejo Popular songs. Both visit and cocktail were offered by the municipality of Évora.

More recently, we have done the 2nd Life-Relict Seminar that took place in Caldas de Monchique, on the 16th of July 2021. Due to the pandemic situation it was only possible to have around 20 people present in the event but the Project partner CMMonchique made the necessary arrangements to have it broadcast Live in YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8C94s1XLE4Q). At the end of August 2021, the movie had more than 380 views. The program of the 2nd Life-Relict Seminar included not only the presentations of it progress made by all project partner but also presentations of local stakeholders such as Almargem Association and Geota. In this same day, the Rhododendron pedestrian route was officially inaugurated.

 

We have implemented three technical workshops. The 1st workshop was led by UÉvora and took place in Margaraça. This was a real success with the attendance of 35 participants from different entities (Quercus, ICNF, Reflorestar Portugal, Cicytex, the Municipality of Oleiros, Center for Functional Ecology – University of Coimbra, and local associations members) (See First Progress Report for more details).

The 2nd workshop took place in Monchique and was led by CMMonc with the theme “Valorisation and Management of Mediterranean Rhododendron ponticum communities”. We planned this 2nd workshop for 25 participants but in the end decided to extend the number of entries to 45 in order to ensure the participation of all interested entities, such as ICNF, GEOTA, APA, ISA, IGOT, UAlg, 2bforest, Biopiscinas, and several other local associations.

The 3rd workshop was held by CICYTEX on February the 14th 2020. The main topic was the propagation of vulnerable species. The event took place at the Instituto de Investigaciones Agraria, Finca La Orden, Valdesequera, in Badajoz. Here, the 48 participants had the opportunity to get to know more closely the work that the project partner CICYTEX has been developing under Action C1 – Collection and Propagation of Vegetable Material. The opening session was attended by the Director General of CICYTEX, Carmen González Ramos, with the coordinator of Life-Relict, Prof. Dr. Carlos Pinto Gomes from the UÉvora and with the Research Coordinator of CICYTEX, responsible for the working group for the propagation of vulnerable Life-Relict species, Francisco Vasquez Pardo. Thereafter followed the presentations on the work developed at CICYTEX within the scope of Life-Relict Project and some of the results already achieved were disclosed. Then, the participants went to see the facilities where everything happens, such as the laboratory where the seeds are cleaned and the first germination tests are carried out. The visit to the greenhouses took place immediately afterwards, where it is possible to observe the development of the Rhododendron cuttings (Rhododendron ponticum subsp. baeticum), the Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica) and many other species, including Quercus sp. Once more we applied a survey to participants to understand their perception of the 3rd workshop.

When analysing the data from the 3 surveys applied in the 3 workshops, the results show that the majority of participants have already heard about the target species, recognising that they are rare and in poor conservation state. Additionally, more than 70% of the participants know the existence of the Life-Relict project and admitted that their knowledge improved significantly after the workshops.

 

We represented Life-Relict project in 22 scientific national and international events with 32 oral communications and 2 posters to an estimate audience of 1683 people

 

Since the begging of the project we have develop 25 talks to an estimate audience of 372 undergraduates and graduate students at the University of Évora. One of this talk was during a field excursion to Serra da Estrela. The students were from different courses, such as BSc in Biology, MSc in Conservation Biology, BSc in Landscape Architecture, BSc Geography, BSc Ecotourism, MSc in Landscape Architecture, BSc Environment & Ecology and in Archeology and Environment. In order to reach wider audience, in Mars 2019 we held an open class with the title “Do you now continental Laurissilva?”, for the general public at the University of Évora. This class was properly disseminated through our platforms with posters placed throughout the University campus. This event was attended by 21 people, including students from the following degrees: Forestry; Environmental Architecture; Biology; Ecology and Environment; and Architecture.

 

The production of a field guide is extremely important for the dissemination of knowledge of the species, habitat and natural values of the Life-Relict intervention areas. For a correct and dignified dissemination, quality photographs are needed, so the compilation of all the images already collected and the planning of the collection of the missing images has already started.

Action E5 presents the average execution of the respective sub-actions.

This action is proceeding as planned. Until the end of August 2021, several contacts were made by the Life-Relict team with other LIFE projects, namely:

This action in continuous progress until the end of the Project.

Contacts were made with the Municipalities that host the Life-Relict target communities in order to offer technical-scientific support for the correct management and consequent replication of the Project’s C’s actions. By the end of August 2021, four municipalities, namely Mação, Pampilhosa, Oleiros and Proença-a-Nova, showed interest and started some work.

Additionally, ICNF replicated some C’s actions in Mata da Margaraça (outside the Life-Relict intervention area). Furthermore, a collaboration protocol was signed with GEOTA in 2020and to find out more click HERE.

 

For more information on other actions, please click on the following images:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Action E1 presents the average execution of the respective sub-actions.

The Webpage (www.liferelict.ect.uevora.pt) is online since March 2018 and it is regularly updated in both Portuguese and English. The contents of the webpage are diverse and includes news, events, information on the intervention areas, pedestrian trails, communications and photographs. Globally it has 32 articles and over 45 pages. Since its launch it reached 172 754 views and 27 884 users. The Facebook page (www.facebook.com/Life-Relict) has now 1 171 likes, but 1 238 are followers since it was launched in February 2018.

 

All panels are in place since November 2020. Panels content and layout was conceived by the UÉvora with revision and validation from CMMonc and CMSeia. Panels were produced in order to meet national legislation inside Protected areas. Panels layout are available online in LIFE-RELICT Webpage.

 

This sub-action is starting and the structure and contents are being defined as well as the process of selecting the company that will execute the design has started.

Action E2 presents the average execution of the respective sub-actions.

Information leaflets are printed in Portuguese and English. It should be noted that these leaflets have a very original format, as, in addition to an informative part about the project, they also have a postal card. It is thus hoped that they will be sent to friends and family members of the recipients of these leaflets and, consequently, increase the reach of people who are aware of the importance of conserving the Relics of the Continental Laurel Forest. Digital versions of the brochures can be downloaded from the publicity materials page.

 

The execution of this sub-action was divided in tasks between each partner involved, such as CMMonchique and CMSeia because they will have two different exhibitions, one about the Rhododendron and another about the Portuguese Laurel, respectively. Moreover, the scientific content was produced by UÉvora and the design was at the responsibility of each respective partner. However, the overall process was time consuming because revisions were made by all the involved partners in order to meet everyone expectations. At the moment of this report, the itinerant exhibition of CMMonchique was concluded and already used in the 2nd seminar of the project (16th of July 2021). To what concerns the itinerant exhibition of CMSeia, the design is concluded and it is expected to be printed out soon. The opening of Seia exhibition will take place on November 27th as part of the CISE Open Day. The main reason for the delay of these products is related to the need of special care that has been given to the production of this communication material in order to guarantee its utility and the information given during and after the project ends.

To what regards the Rhododendron Small Route in Monchique, UÉvora and the project partner CMMon created a partnership with Almargem Association, which is the coordinator of the Great Pedestrian Route (GR13 – Via Algarviana) and one of the biggest nature-based tourism promotors in Algarve, in Oct 2019. Thereafter, the production of the communication materials and the implementation of this small route was done in accordance with all partners involved in order to guarantee its sustainability in the after-LIFE. As such, the Rhododendron small route was included in Via Algarviana Route, in its new communication materials as a complementary small interpretative trail and is expected to ensure the dissemination to a wider audience. The Monchique Pedestrian Route was already implemented and officially inaugurated on the 16th of July 2021, after the 2nd Life-Relict Seminar. In the After-Life period, the Rhododendron small route will be maintained by the project partner CMMonchique and will have the technical support of Almargem Association.

To what concerns the Portuguese Laurel interpretive small route, the project partner CMSeia is preparing its materials and is committed to implemented it until the end of December 2021. This small route will overlap the one that already exist, named Rota dos Socalcos, being its communication material complementary to what already exists.

Since the beginning of the project that we have been making several contacts to the national, regional and local media in order to stimulate their curiosity in reporting our project progress. The results of our efforts are shown in the increasing number of articles produced and disseminated in our website (http://www.liferelict.ect.uevora.pt/index.php/imprensa/?lang=en). Meanwhile, we are collecting more images and videos throughout our fieldwork in order to produce some promotion videos and expected to disseminate them through our website and Facebook page. Moreover, in June 2019, a report in the format of a video was made by APA (Portuguese Environment Agency) about the project action in Monchique. This report happened during the 2nd project workshop.

 

Since the end of 2017, we have promoted LIFE-RELIT at the Christmas event called “Cabeça, Aldeia Natal”, in the village of Cabeça. In fact, in 2017 we set an exhibition where visitors could learn about the Project and the importance of the Habitat conservation. By that time, the organization estimated that 15 000 persons visited “Cabeça, Aldeia Natal”. In 2018 (December, 27) and 2019 (December, 14 and 27) CMSeia with the help of UÉvora organized interpretive visits to Prunus lusitanica forest. The activities consisted of a pedestrian walk (3km) in Cabeça surroundings and was part of event “Cabeça, Aldeia Natal” program. In the trail of 2018, it participated 12 persons and 45+12 in the two editions of 2019. Thereafter, due to the world pandemic, no more events were organized. However, if possible, next Christmas, one more event will be implemented.

Action E3 presents the average execution of the respective sub-actions.

So far, we involved 543 people in environmental education activities (i.e. 495 students ranging from preschool to secondary schools and 48 teachers and assistants). The type of activities varied among the age and the curriculum specifications of each class. It was developed 21 sessions within the school facilities or in CISE (Interpretation centre of Estrela Mountain) or online session and 10 fieldtrips to the intervention areas of the project.

At the beginning of 2018, all involved partners in this sub-action (CMSeia and CMMonchique) prepared education materials to apply in the schools within their range areas.

In the school year of 2018/2019, CMMonchique carried out environmental education activities to primary school students that visited the project intervention area of Vale Largo, learned about the importance of the project as well as the characteristics of the Rhododendron community. The project partner CMSeia also developed activities in this same school year to preschool and primary students. The contents of these activities included learning about the importance of the project as well as the characteristics of the Portuguese Laurel and some had the opportunity to visit Casal do Rei intervention area.

For the school year 2019/2020, UÉvora develop one environmental education activity in the secondary school of Gouveia. The project partner CMSeia applied a new education plan called “from the tree to the forest” to preschools and primary students. This plan included several sessions in CISE and activities in the Casal do Rei intervention area and was carried out during the months of September, October and November. Meanwhile, all the school activities, either in Seia as in Monchique, were interrupted due to the pandemic situation.

For the school year 2020/2021, the project partner CMSeia continue to apply the “from the tree to the forest” education plan to preschools and primary students. In this same school year, UÉvora created a new environmental education plan for the project partner CMMonchique but due to the ongoing world pandemic and school restrictions, it was not possible to implemented it. It is expected to be implemented in the next scholar year 2021/22 and to this end, the project partner CMMonchique will hire a teacher to implement this environmental activity plan. Moreover, during May and June 2021, UÉvora develop 3 sessions in a secondary school in Évora called André de Gouveia. These sessions aimed to introduce the project to students from 3 different professional courses, namely multimedia, sport and theatre. The main goal was, not only the dissemination of the project activities, explain the importance of the habitat and its threats, but also to encourage student to develop this thematic under their final coursework. By the time of this report, there was one student from the multimedia course interested in an internship with Life-Relict in order to produce audio-visual materials for their final coursework and to help us to disseminate further our project. UÉvora also developed 1 education session, this time online, to students from the Secondary School in Estremoz. This session was integrated in a broader seminar under the theme climate change and natural disasters where UÉvora presented how Life-Relict project is contributing to the mitigation of climate change in the 5230* habitat. Another 2 online education session were developed by UÉvora to students of the Secondary School of Portalegre, where the theme was native forests and in which Life-Relict was presented.

The school contest is about to be launched next school year (2021/22) in both areas: Seia and Monchique.

 

So far, we developed two informative sessions for the local population that took place in Cabeça village in the year of 2017 and 2019. The first, on 28th December 2017, the informative session involved several landowners and other interested residents. This session was implemented by the UÉvora and CMSeia project partner and more than 30 persons were present. The second informative session was held on 27th December 2019 in the “Cabeça, Aldeia Natal” event, after the interpretative visits under sub-action E2.5, we organized a Magusto (a popular autumn reunion around a fireplace, eating roasted chestnuts) for local population and visitors and it was in collaboration with local parish council. About 35 persons participated, where we had the opportunity to talk about LIFE-RELICT project.

Also, in 2019, an extra session was developed in Orvalho village, outside the intervention areas. For more information about this extra session, please visit to our website:
http://www.liferelict.ect.uevora.pt/index.php/2019/05/31/orvalho-detem-importante-repositorio-da-laurissilva-continental/?lang=en . Since than (2019) no more sessions were developed due to Covid-19 but we anticipate that during the last months of 2021 and/or begging of 2022 more informative session will be made possible, if the world pandemic situation allows.

During the event “Cabeça, Aldeia Natal” in 2019, the project partner CMSeia made a symbolic plantation with volunteers, in Estrela-Cabeça C2 intervention area. It was planted 20 Portuguese-laurel produced by CICYTEX in C1. During 2020, the project partner CMMonchique made an unforeseen extra activity with volunteer to plant 11.9 ha in our C7 areas, in Monchique. This involved several local stakeholders and the plants used were offered by the local plant nursery. Thus, it didn’t imply extra costs for the Life-Relict project.

Action E4 presents the average execution of the respective sub-actions.

 

We have done the 1st Life-Relict Seminar in Évora in the 14th and 15th of November 2018, in association with SPECO (17th National Ecology Meeting). The 15th of November was the specific day for LIFE-RELICT, and so, was free for participants. This event was published nationally since April 2018, especially in several net platforms. SPECO created the advertising material, with our help, but without extra expenses for LIFE-RELICT. UÉvora team contact sponsors and got several offers that were given to the participants: bags from “Piscinas Biológicas”, pen drives from ECOMED project, pencils and folders from “Assus” insurances, coffee from “Delta Cafés” and extra food from several local stores (fruit, cheese, sausages, wine). The seminar took place in UÉvora facilities. We had 180 inscriptions and a full amphitheatre. The strategy was to focus this seminar in conservation main problems, ensuring knowledge exchange between conservationist, researchers and conservation projects. In this regard, we invited three speakers: Angel Penas (climate specialist); Tomás Diaz (specialist in invasive control in Spain), and Elizabete Marchante (specialist in invasive control in Portugal). We also invited, without extra expenses, other LIFE projects, including LIFE-PRIOLO that was done some similar management interventions in Azores islands (For E5 objectives). In total in LIFE day we had 24 oral communications (including 3 conferences). After the seminar we organized a visit to Évora heritage (led by a specialist from Évora Municipality) followed by a cocktail with Alentejo Popular songs. Both visit and cocktail were offered by the municipality of Évora.

More recently, we have done the 2nd Life-Relict Seminar that took place in Caldas de Monchique, on the 16th of July 2021. Due to the pandemic situation it was only possible to have around 20 people present in the event but the Project partner CMMonchique made the necessary arrangements to have it broadcast Live in YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8C94s1XLE4Q). At the end of August 2021, the movie had more than 380 views. The program of the 2nd Life-Relict Seminar included not only the presentations of it progress made by all project partner but also presentations of local stakeholders such as Almargem Association and Geota. In this same day, the Rhododendron pedestrian route was officially inaugurated.

 

We have implemented three technical workshops. The 1st workshop was led by UÉvora and took place in Margaraça. This was a real success with the attendance of 35 participants from different entities (Quercus, ICNF, Reflorestar Portugal, Cicytex, the Municipality of Oleiros, Center for Functional Ecology – University of Coimbra, and local associations members) (See First Progress Report for more details).

The 2nd workshop took place in Monchique and was led by CMMonc with the theme “Valorisation and Management of Mediterranean Rhododendron ponticum communities”. We planned this 2nd workshop for 25 participants but in the end decided to extend the number of entries to 45 in order to ensure the participation of all interested entities, such as ICNF, GEOTA, APA, ISA, IGOT, UAlg, 2bforest, Biopiscinas, and several other local associations.

The 3rd workshop was held by CICYTEX on February the 14th 2020. The main topic was the propagation of vulnerable species. The event took place at the Instituto de Investigaciones Agraria, Finca La Orden, Valdesequera, in Badajoz. Here, the 48 participants had the opportunity to get to know more closely the work that the project partner CICYTEX has been developing under Action C1 – Collection and Propagation of Vegetable Material. The opening session was attended by the Director General of CICYTEX, Carmen González Ramos, with the coordinator of Life-Relict, Prof. Dr. Carlos Pinto Gomes from the UÉvora and with the Research Coordinator of CICYTEX, responsible for the working group for the propagation of vulnerable Life-Relict species, Francisco Vasquez Pardo. Thereafter followed the presentations on the work developed at CICYTEX within the scope of Life-Relict Project and some of the results already achieved were disclosed. Then, the participants went to see the facilities where everything happens, such as the laboratory where the seeds are cleaned and the first germination tests are carried out. The visit to the greenhouses took place immediately afterwards, where it is possible to observe the development of the Rhododendron cuttings (Rhododendron ponticum subsp. baeticum), the Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica) and many other species, including Quercus sp. Once more we applied a survey to participants to understand their perception of the 3rd workshop.

When analysing the data from the 3 surveys applied in the 3 workshops, the results show that the majority of participants have already heard about the target species, recognising that they are rare and in poor conservation state. Additionally, more than 70% of the participants know the existence of the Life-Relict project and admitted that their knowledge improved significantly after the workshops.

 

We represented Life-Relict project in 22 scientific national and international events with 32 oral communications and 2 posters to an estimate audience of 1683 people

 

Since the begging of the project we have develop 25 talks to an estimate audience of 372 undergraduates and graduate students at the University of Évora. One of this talk was during a field excursion to Serra da Estrela. The students were from different courses, such as BSc in Biology, MSc in Conservation Biology, BSc in Landscape Architecture, BSc Geography, BSc Ecotourism, MSc in Landscape Architecture, BSc Environment & Ecology and in Archeology and Environment. In order to reach wider audience, in Mars 2019 we held an open class with the title “Do you now continental Laurissilva?”, for the general public at the University of Évora. This class was properly disseminated through our platforms with posters placed throughout the University campus. This event was attended by 21 people, including students from the following degrees: Forestry; Environmental Architecture; Biology; Ecology and Environment; and Architecture.

 

The production of a field guide is extremely important for the dissemination of knowledge of the species, habitat and natural values of the Life-Relict intervention areas. For a correct and dignified dissemination, quality photographs are needed, so the compilation of all the images already collected and the planning of the collection of the missing images has already started.

Action E5 presents the average execution of the respective sub-actions.

This action is proceeding as planned. Until the end of August 2021, several contacts were made by the Life-Relict team with other LIFE projects, namely:

This action in continuous progress until the end of the Project.

Contacts were made with the Municipalities that host the Life-Relict target communities in order to offer technical-scientific support for the correct management and consequent replication of the Project’s C’s actions. By the end of August 2021, four municipalities, namely Mação, Pampilhosa, Oleiros and Proença-a-Nova, showed interest and started some work.

Additionally, ICNF replicated some C’s actions in Mata da Margaraça (outside the Life-Relict intervention area). Furthermore, a collaboration protocol was signed with GEOTA in 2020and to find out more click HERE.

 

For more information on other actions, please click on the following images: