Nave do Barão is home to “one of the most important and rare freshwater habitats in Europe”
The municipal council of Loulé is set to hold a public information session titled “Nave do Barão – An area to protect!” on Monday, October 28 at 6.30pm.
The session will take place at the headquarters of the local association “Os Barões” in Nave do Barão – a small village in inland Loulé known for its wine-making tradition.
This initiative is part of the ongoing effort to designate Nave do Barão as a locally protected area, aligning with Loulé’s broader strategy for nature conservation and environmental sustainability.
The municipality aims to promote sustainable land management in the area, and residents and landowners of Nave do Barão are expected to play a key role in maintaining a balance between human activity and the preservation of the area’s natural assets.
As the council points out, Nave do Barão is recognised as a geosite of national geological importance, contributing to its rich biological diversity. The area is home to one of Portugal’s largest seasonal wetlands, the Lagoa da Nave do Barão. Classified as a Mediterranean temporary pond, it is “one of the most important and rare freshwater habitats in Europe”. It is also designated as a priority habitat under the European Habitats Directive due to its ecological significance.
Following the creation of other local nature reserves, such as Foz do Almargem and Trafal, this new initiative aims to make another contribution towards environmental preservation, as the protection of Nave do Barão is seen as another critical step in safeguarding biodiversity and promoting sustainable development.
