Associação Margem Esquerda do Guadiana (AMEG)

Associação Margem Esquerda do Guadiana (AMEG) is a nonprofit environmental organisation whose mission is to promote and value the natural heritage of the Portuguese region along the left bank of the Guadiana river. The association believes that direct interaction with the local community — including students, farmers, senior citizens and other residents — is the right tool to involve people in the preservation and appreciation of local ecosystems. AMEG produces a series of educational resources called 'Aula de Campo Virtual' (Virtual Field Class), covering topics such as 'What is an ecosystem?', 'What is the matter cycle?' and the high biodiversity of the Montado ecosystem, a traditional agro-silvo-pastoral landscape typical of southern Portugal. These short videos are shared on social media and the association's website to make ecological concepts accessible to a broad audience. The organisation maintains an active presence on Instagram and Facebook, sharing quarterly activity updates and a trimestral newsletter to keep the community informed of upcoming events and educational initiatives. Its work sits at the intersection of environmental education, community outreach and ecosystem conservation, with a particular focus on the unique natural and cultural landscape of the Guadiana river's left bank. Through hands-on educational programming and digital content, AMEG aims to build long-term stewardship of the region's ecosystems by fostering direct relationships between citizens and the natural environment they inhabit. The association's approach — combining local, in-person community engagement with accessible virtual learning tools — reflects a broader effort to make environmental education relevant and actionable for people of all ages, from schoolchildren to farmers to senior citizens.