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, biodiversity conservation, and direct ecological intervention. ALMARGEM invests heavily in public awareness and environmental literacy, publishing specialised scientific and educational materials focused on regional biodiversity — and organising events to mark key environmental dates such as World Wetlands Day. The association manages the Via Algarviana, a long-distance walking path that connects ecotourism with landscape and heritage discovery across the inland Algarve, with the aim of promoting sustainable development. Almargem is also a co-organiser of two of the Algarve’s leading nature festivals: the Sagres Birdwatching and Nature Activities Festival and the Barão de São João – Walk & Art Fest. 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.