Zoomarine, in collaboration with Nativawaky, planted a Miyawaki forest at Quinta do Meloal, from AIPAR – Associação de Proteção à Rapariga e à Família. This initiative is part of Operação Montanha Verde, which aims to promote biodiversity and natural soil regeneration in the Algarve.

Inspired by the ‘Together We Protect’ philosophy, Operação Montanha Verde was born in 2017 and has been a force for environmental transformation in the Algarve, so far resulting in the planting of more than 126,000 native trees. In 2024, the project joined forces with Nativawaky to implement the Miyawaki method, an innovative system in Portugal consisting in dense and diverse planting that recreates native ecosystems capable of achieving self-sustainability in just three years. This approach is crucial in the context of combating drought and deforestation, serious problems affecting the region.

This methodology dates back to the 1970s to the discovery by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki that only 0.06 per cent of his country’s forests were native. With all his knowledge acquired over decades of study, Miyawaki developed a method of restoring native vegetation on degraded or destroyed land. These forests grow 10 times faster, are 30 times denser and contain 100 times more biodiversity. They are quick to establish and maintenance-free after the first two to three years. Proven in Japan and around the world, this method has a 97 per cent success rate for tree survival.

For Isabel Gaspar, Biologist and Conservation Coordinator for Zoomarine and Operation Green Mountain: ‘Operation Green Mountain is an example of what we can achieve when we join forces to protect the environment. With the creation of a Miyawaki forest in the parish of Conceição-Faro, we are taking an important step towards strengthening local ecosystems and tackling challenges such as drought and deforestation in the Algarve. It’s inspiring to see the active participation of children and volunteers in this action, because only by increasing awareness the younger generations will we be able to guarantee a sustainable future for our region.”

Sónia Soares, biologist and founder of the Nativawaky project, highlights the advantages of the Miyawaki method: “It’s a methodology that allows us to plant not just trees, but forests, which are dense and rich in biodiversity and respect what occurs. naturally in the ecosystems that surround them. Because the species that have been planted are native to the Algarve landscape and represent the various strata of a forest, they help each other and allow for the forest to develop healthily. This type of planting is autonomous after about three years and does not require watering.”

This year’s initiative ‘Operação Montanha Verde’ had the participation of around 65 volunteers – including 42 children from two primary school classes and a volunteer group from UALG – who planted 330 trees and plants of more than 30 native species.

Once again, ALGAR, SA, a strategic partner since the first year of Operação Montanha Verde, contributed to the success of the initiative by providing NutriVerde® organic compost, which provides important support for the initial growth phase of the plants, encouraging their sustainability and robustness, and is certified for use in organic farming, reinforcing ALGAR’s and Operação Montanha Verde’s commitment to long-term ecological practices.

Filomena Rosa, founder and president of AIPAR, highlighted the significance of this plantation for the users of Quinta do Meloal: “This is a dream come true! AIPAR provides social services for the protection of children and young people and for the disabled, and this space fulfils our desire for these children and their families to get closer to nature and to create connections and nurture affection for plants, because they too deserve our protection.”

With initiatives such as Operação Montanha Verde, Zoomarine reaffirms its commitment to environmental regeneration and to building a greener, more resilient and prosperous future for the Algarve.