Associação ALDEIA

Associação ALDEIA, whose name stands for Ação, Liberdade, Desenvolvimento, Educação, Investigação e Ambiente, is a Portuguese non-governmental environmental organisation. It aims to contribute to sustainable development grounded in nature conservation and the preservation of the culture and traditions that survive in rural areas. The association runs a wildlife recovery service and organises a public agenda of field activities: birdwatching outings, biodiversity expeditions, and courses such as a Curso de Recuperação e Medicina de Mamíferos scheduled for 17 October 2026. It also publishes educational materials, including a children's book about birdsong, *Olha quem canta assim*, released in October 2024, and sells related titles through its own shop at Chão do Rio. On social media, ALDEIA shares seasonal phenology notes, guides to Portugal's 750 known bee species, and updates on active conservation cases. It has spoken out publicly on threats to wildlife, including construction work disturbing a black swift (Apus apus) colony nesting in the walls of Trancoso during breeding season in 2026, and joined other organisations such as Rewilding Portugal, Quercus and SPEA in a petition defending the Iberian lynx conservation programme run by CNRLI. Membership and donations fund the association's day-to-day work. ALDEIA describes itself as depending on this support to carry out projects that bring people closer to nature, protect wildlife and conserve ecosystems. Its work spans direct fieldwork, advocacy on active conservation controversies, and outreach aimed at helping the public notice and understand natural cycles, from the arrival of autumn to the return of migratory birds each spring.