By: CECÍLIA PIRES
AN ALGARVE environmental group, Almargem, is hoping to attract new members from the expat communities in the region.
Founded in 1988, the Algarve-based environmental association has been involved in some of the most prominent ecological projects in the region, like the Via Algarviana, the future Natural Park of the Baixo Guadiana, the Educational Centre in Pena and the Biodesalgarve project, that aims to transform food oil into fuel oil.
And now, said João Ministro, we “invite all the people with concerns about the environment to contact us and participate in our activities”.
Ministro is one of the Almargem directors and also the main coordinator of the Via Algarviana project along with the association’s president, João Santos.
An engineer by trade, Ministro believes that the vast range of activities of Almargem can be more effective if the message is transmitted through all of those who live in the region, including the expat communities and the international schools.
Event
Although the association already has English and German members, he believes it is necessary to take the environmental message to a larger number of people living in the Algarve. Almargem has created a special email contact, leis@sapo.pt, for those who don’t speak Portuguese.
“The idea came from one of our English members, who also speaks other languages. This way we can better help all of those that need information from the association or just don’t know how to join us ,” said João Ministro.
Among the forthcoming events organised by Almargem is the big crossing of Via Algarviana, scheduled to happen from October 21 to November 4.
The big crossing of the Via Algarviana will take about 15 days with walkers coming to the Algarve from all over the country. “We aim to promote the Via Algarviana pedestrian route and also the smaller activities based in the remote areas of the Algarve’s countryside”, said Ministro.
Every 20 kilometres, walkers will have the chance to find appropriate accommodation and recommended restaurants, as well as many other services being identified by Almargem to better promote the isolated areas existing along the pedestrian way.
Because the Via Algarviana is still under construction, Almargem is also asking its members to help with the financing of the project.
With a total cost of 400,000 euros, 70 percent of the construction costs are to be financed by European Union funds. The remainder is supported by local câmaras and the environmental association, which has to raise around 30,000 euros on this first stage of the construction plan.
If you would like to know more about Almargem, please visit: http://almargem.org/joomla/, which is only in Portuguese, or contact almargem@mail.telepac.pt. For English contact, please send an email to leis@sapo.pt. If you would like to know more about Via Algarviana, please visit: http://www.viaalgarviana.org/ingles/index.html or send an email to viaalgarviana@viaalgarviana.org.
Activities planned by Almargem include:
October
A photographic exhibition in Monchique – Photos of the Via Algarviana.
Business meeting – Nature Tourism in Via Algarviana – Involving all the companies operating in the Algarve with alternative products in contact with natural environments.
First Big Crossing of the Via Algarviana – Starting on Sunday 21 and ending on November 4, the Big crossing includes events with local communities like gastronomic and cultural shows.
November
Fifth Local Meeting on Environmental education” – Aims to develop new educational projects involving students and teachers;
Third workshop about mushrooms – A special walk in the Monchique Serra to observe and identify mushrooms. Connection between the Via Algarvia and the Monchique Thermal Resort.
December
Technic Walk in Via Algarviana – Special demonstration about the correct use of all the equipment available along the pedestrian walk of Via Algarviana;
Special walk with blind people – Almargem is organising a special event dedicated to blind people and focused in the smells, tastes and textures of the natural environment.
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