Guardiãs da Natureza is a national network of women acting as local catalysts for ecosystem regeneration, biodiversity conservation and sustainable rural development across Portugal's protected areas. Through training, mentoring and mapping of good practices, it empowers women to lead the transition to a circular, low-carbon rural economy.
Guardiãs da Natureza is a growing national network of women dedicated to the regeneration of ecosystems, conservation of biodiversity, and sustainable development of Portugal's rural world, with a special focus on protected areas such as the Guadiana Valley Natural Park and the Serras de Aire e Candeeiros Natural Park. The initiative identifies, trains and connects women who act as local dynamisers of nature-based projects, ranging from sustainable agriculture and forestry to circular economy ventures rooted in each territory's endogenous resources.
Participants develop skills and knowledge in sustainability, climate change adaptation, ecosystem services and natural capital, sustainable agriculture, water resources and forest management. The network also maps existing initiatives led mostly by women across the country, aggregating good practices onto a shared platform so that successful models can be scaled, replicated and shared as inspiration for other guardians.
Born out of a broader mission to promote sustainable production, consumption and the circular economy, the project is driven by the association Business as Nature, with support from partners including Crédito Agrícola. It began in specific protected territories and is expected to expand across Portugal's National Network of Protected Areas (RNAP), with future plans for international expansion. The network contributes to a low-carbon economy centred on women's involvement, encouraging female empowerment and gender equality in rural and environmental leadership.
Beyond training, Guardiãs da Natureza fosters community among its members, connecting women guardians across different regions—from beekeepers and forest stewards to tourism entrepreneurs—so they can share experiences, amplify impact, and jointly advance the regeneration of Portugal's rural landscapes and natural heritage.
Our Goal
To build a nationwide network of women who identify, catalyse and coordinate rural intervention projects, especially within protected areas, becoming local drivers of ecosystem regeneration, biodiversity conservation, sustainable use of endogenous resources, and the transition to a circular, low-carbon economy.
Our Wishes
The network seeks new women guardians to join across Portugal's protected areas, as well as partners, mentors and sponsors to support training, incubation and the mapping of good practices already underway in rural territories.
