Bee Serra da Estrela

Bee Serra da Estrela is a project born in the mountains of Manteigas, dedicated to caring for nature, people and the future of the region. Structured around three interconnected pillars, the project unites ancestral knowledge with innovative practices to create living landscapes where humans and nature coexist in balance. Bee Agriculture focuses on syntropic farming, a method inspired by forest ecosystems that respects natural cycles while regenerating soil and biodiversity — developing new agroforestry models adapted to the Mediterranean mountain climate. Bee Forest addresses the aftermath of the devastating 2022 wildfire that destroyed the project's forest area; today it works to restore roughly 300 hectares of woodland with native trees, living soils and a regenerative vision for the mountain's future. Bee Wild offers nature tourism experiences — guided walks and outings — that share local knowledge and stories while fostering protection of the shared territory. Underlying all three pillars is a strong social dimension: the project builds local partnerships to promote community cohesion, inclusion and participation, believing that revitalising rural areas requires bringing people closer to the land through education, culture and local economy. Environmental education and knowledge-sharing are considered essential to the project's commitment, ensuring no action happens without a parallel transmission of understanding between people and nature. Based in Manteigas within Serra da Estrela Natural Park, the project has begun local partnerships, such as a cherry harvest collaboration, and continues to grow its community-facing activities while inviting donations to support its ongoing regeneration work.