Os Montanheiros – Sociedade de Exploração Espeleológica

Os Montanheiros - Sociedade de Exploração Espeleológica was founded on 1 December 1963 in Angra do Heroísmo, on Terceira Island in the Azores. It is one of the oldest environmental associations in Portugal. Registered as an ONGA (Organização Não Governamental de Ambiente) under number 62/R, the association holds a seat on regional bodies including the Conselho Regional do Ambiente e Desenvolvimento Sustentável. The group manages two well-known volcanic caves on Terceira, Algar do Carvão and Gruta do Natal, both open to visitors, and runs the Museu Vulcanoespeleológico, which documents the geology and history of the caves. Its recognition includes the Medalha de Mérito Municipal from Angra do Heroísmo in 2003 and the title of Membro Honorário da Ordem de Mérito, conferred by President Mário Soares in 1994. Beyond caving, the association organises coastal walks, pedestrian trails, climbing, paragliding and geocaching through its Clube Desportivo Montanheiros. It also runs environmental education activities and an annual campaign, Pedaços de Mar e Ambiente, now in its 7th edition, which includes beach clean-ups, workshops and documentary screenings such as Terrazores. The organisation has extended its reach to the islands of Pico and São Jorge through local núcleos. Membership is open to the public, with the association actively encouraging people to become sócios to support its conservation work. Its founding members in 1963 numbered at least 14, and the group continues to operate from its headquarters in Angra do Heroísmo, coordinating activities across several Azorean islands.