Associação ALMARGEM

Associação ALMARGEM is a Portuguese non-governmental, non-profit environmental organisation headquartered in Loulé, dedicated to the protection and promotion of the natural, historical, and cultural heritage of the Algarve region. Founded with a broad environmental mandate, ALMARGEM operates across several interconnected fields: environmental administration, environmental education, ecotourism and mountaineering, biodiversity conservation, and direct ecological intervention. One of the organisation's most significant responsibilities is the management of the Reserva Natural Local da Foz do Almargem e do Trafal, one of the most important wetland ecosystems in southern Portugal. Through active stewardship of this protected area, ALMARGEM safeguards critical habitats that support a rich diversity of flora and fauna, while also advocating for the continuity of conservation programmes such as the Centro Nacional de Reprodução do Lince-Ibérico. ALMARGEM invests heavily in public awareness and environmental literacy, publishing the BioDossiers series — specialised scientific and educational materials focused on regional biodiversity — and organising events to mark key environmental dates such as World Wetlands Day. The association also manages the Via Algarviana, a long-distance walking route that connects ecotourism with landscape and heritage discovery across the Algarve. Beyond conservation, ALMARGEM actively engages local communities through guided historical walks in Algarve town centres, educational programmes, and campaigns for sustainable water management. The organisation has been a consistent voice in public consultations and environmental debates, advocating for policies that protect the Algarve's unique natural and cultural landscapes. Through research, publication, community engagement, and hands-on ecological work, ALMARGEM remains one of the most important civil society actors for environmental protection in southern Portugal.