Lousitânea – Liga de Amigos da Serra da Lousã

Lousitânea – Liga de Amigos da Serra da Lousã is a non-profit association founded on 3 December 2003 by Fátima Curado, Fernando Romão and José Augusto Pais, originally aiming to act across the whole territory of the Serra da Lousã mountain range. After establishing contacts with citizens and municipalities in Castanheira de Pêra, Góis and Lousã, the association settled its headquarters in the municipality of Góis, moving in 2009 to the schist village of Aigra Nova, where it remains today. The association's mission is to conserve and promote the natural and cultural heritage of the Serra da Lousã, encouraging sustainable development through environmental, cultural, educational and tourism-related projects. Its structure includes a General Assembly, a Board and a Supervisory Board, totalling ten members, among them residents of the schist villages of the Góis municipality. Among its flagship initiatives is the Ecomuseu Tradições do Xisto, a living museum dedicated to the cultural and natural history of the schist villages, alongside a Geocaching Xisto trail and a network of walking routes (Rede de Percursos Pedestres) inviting visitors to explore the region's historic paths. The association also collaborates with the Município de Góis on forest surveillance, helping to monitor shadow zones vulnerable to wildfire and encouraging community vigilance to protect the local landscape. Lousitânea regularly organises community gatherings, festive events and gastronomic celebrations that bring together residents, associations and visitors, reinforcing local identity and traditions. It has hosted academic groups researching creative tourism and territorial development, and has taken part in regional cooperation projects, geomorphological research and charitable fundraising tied to sporting events. Through this combination of heritage preservation, environmental stewardship and community building, Lousitânea plays a meaningful role in sustaining the resilience and identity of the Serra da Lousã's mountain communities.