Nine Algarve projects take volunteers for the rest of November
Farms and restoration projects in the western Algarve want help to plant trees, repair land that burned in 2025 and keep rainwater in the soil. You'll need to book each session ahead, and most of the last ones are on 28 November.
On 13 November, volunteers at Corte Medronheira, near Barão de São João, will spend the morning on ground that burned in the summer of 2025. They'll clear burnt areas, cover the bare soil, rebuild small structures that hold rainwater, spread seed and plant native trees. The session ends at 1pm.
The session is part of the second Month of Regeneration, run by the Ecosystem Regeneration Community of the Barlavento with the Mud Valley Foundation as coordinator. Nine host projects still have places this month:
Vinha Velha, Barão de São João: planting and upkeep on 19 and 26 November. All ages.
Corte Medronheira, Barão de São João: repair after the fire on 13 and 27 November. Ages 16+.
African Peace Village, Burgau: linking a rainwater tank to a terraced food garden, then planting, on the afternoons of 14 and 15 November. Ages 18+.
Quinta Vale da Lama, Odiáxere: a tour and work session on 14 November, then Tuesday mornings on 17 and 24 November and 1 December. All ages.
Zambujeira de Fora, Barão de São João: planting 50 metres of tree rows along a new ditch that catches rain, on 18 November. All ages.
Quinta do Horizonte, Pedralva: planting rows of trees and crops side by side on 19 and 26 November. Ages 10+.
Carriagem, Rogil: pulling out acacia and planting native species on 20 November. Ages 14+.
Monte do Olho Branco, Aljezur: a tour and planting on 28 November. All ages.
Salema Eco Camp, Budens: a nature walk, tree planting and taking cuttings on 28 November. Ages 12+.
The first edition, in November 2025, counted 25 events and 320 people. They put in 750 hours and planted more than 1,500 trees and other plants across 10 projects. Those are the organisers' own figures. Spread over 320 people, that's a little over two hours each. The event page doesn't say how much of last year's planting made it through the summer.
You sign up per session through one form on the Mud Valley Foundation website, with up to five sessions per form. Quinta Vale da Lama takes bookings on its own site. One day, at the herb garden of Quinta do Jasmim in Bensafrim on 21 November, is already full. The projects bring the tools, but you'll have to sort out your own transport and a place to stay. Bring water, a hat, gloves and sturdy shoes. If you bring children, keep them close, since this is farm work.
The month ends at Monte do Olho Branco near Aljezur. There, the project will show what has grown back after 15 years on the land, and then volunteers plant fruit trees, shrubs and herbs.
