FAPAS – Associação Portuguesa para a Conservação da Biodiversidade

FAPAS manages several protected natural areas in Portugal. They include sites in Ferreira do Zêzere, Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, Ponte da Barca and Vila Nova de Gaia, and the Reserva Ornitológica do Mindelo, where the work is to safeguard habitats, wetlands and native species. Its full name is Associação Portuguesa para a Conservação da Biodiversidade, and it was formerly known as Fundo para a Protecção dos Animais Selvagens. It's one of Portugal's most established environmental NGOs, with its headquarters at Quinta de Chão de Carvalhos in Pedroso, Vila Nova de Gaia. The association also runs a training and education centre. It offers courses, teacher training and school activities to raise environmental awareness among children and adults. One of its initiatives is the “Almanaque da Biodiversidade Portuguesa”, which documents native flora and fauna. FAPAS also campaigns. Through press releases and open letters, it opposes infrastructure and energy projects it considers environmentally harmful, such as photovoltaic and wind developments in sensitive natural areas. It also pushes for stronger legal protections, including the independence of the ICNF and the Lei de Bases do Clima. The association has a General Assembly, a Board (Corpos Gerentes) and a Fiscal Council, a formal nonprofit structure in which members take part. Its general assemblies go back decades, and its publications have appeared continuously. The work is paid for by membership fees, donations, training fees and volunteer contributions, and FAPAS invites the public to become members, volunteers or donors.