EcoAtivo is a Portuguese nature protection and conservation association based in Fundão that works to improve the relationship between humans and the environment through regenerative ecology, environmental education, and technology-assisted ecosystem monitoring. The association runs multiple projects spanning syntropic agriculture, invasive species control, forest monitoring, and environmental education in the Serra da Estrela region.
EcoAtivo — formally the Associação de Protecção e Conservação da Natureza — is a non-profit organisation headquartered in Fundão, in the Beira Interior region of Portugal. Founded with the social objective of regenerating the relationship between humans and nature, EcoAtivo operates through a holistic, multi-level approach grounded in regenerative ecology, community resilience, environmental justice, and progressive innovation.
The association's core values include regenerative ecology, integrity, holistic awareness, sustainability, progressive innovation, and the valuing of diversity. These principles guide a portfolio of concrete projects across central Portugal.
Among its flagship initiatives, EcoAtivo promotes syntropic agriculture — the natural succession agroforestry model developed by Ernst Götsch — as the most sustainable and resilient method of food production. The GreenTech project bridges natural knowledge with technological intelligence to generate environmental benefits, while the ForestVision project focuses on monitoring, measuring, analysing, and evaluating forest ecosystems in response to local environmental challenges.
In the municipality of Idanha-a-Nova, EcoAtivo leads an aquatic invasive species control project targeting Ludwigia peploides found in the Barragem de Toulica reservoir. The association also runs two environmental education programmes: 'A Minha Serra', which promotes active citizenship and capacity-building in the southern slopes of Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela, and 'Água, Ar e Vento na Serra', which addresses water, air, and noise quality for students and citizens in the Cova da Beira region.
Through its movement and online presence, EcoAtivo advocates for a universal, cooperative, and resilient relationship between nature and society — summed up in its Instagram motto: 'Together regenerating ecosystems!'
Our Goal
EcoAtivo aims to regenerate the relationship between human beings and the natural environment through environmental education, design and implementation of regenerative projects, and the development of policies for environmental conservation.
Our Wishes
EcoAtivo seeks community engagement and partnerships to support its environmental protection activities, ecosystem monitoring initiatives, and educational programmes across Portugal.
