Parque de Natureza de Noudar

Parque de Natureza de Noudar was established in 1997 when EDIA acquired the Herdade da Coitadinha, located approximately 8 km from the village of Barrancos in the Alentejo region. The park was conceived as an environmental compensation measure associated with the Alqueva Multi-purpose Undertaking, offsetting habitat loss caused by the construction of the Alqueva dam — the largest irrigation project currently underway in Europe. Spanning around 151 hectares, the park sits within the Moura/Barrancos Special Conservation Zone and is integrated into the European Natura 2000 network, a recognition driven primarily by its outstanding holm oak (azinho) ecosystems and exceptional biodiversity. The park holds Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification for its sustainable forest management practices, with a strong focus on maintaining and improving these critical holm oak habitats. The project operates on the principle that sustainable use and responsible economic activity are the most effective means of ensuring long-term territorial conservation. Organic farming practices aligned with regional traditions are implemented throughout, preserving both biodiversity and cultural heritage. Monte da Coitadinha, the historic estate farmhouse, has been carefully restored and now functions as an interpretation centre and visitor accommodation facility, offering guests an immersive experience of the Alentejo's bio-ecological and cultural heritage through modern interpretive media including sound, video, and print. Beyond conservation, Parque de Natureza de Noudar generates meaningful socio-economic impact in one of Portugal's most rural and sparsely populated areas. It attracts qualified professionals to settle in the region and contributes to the revitalisation of local tourism, gastronomy, commerce, and culture. The park is widely regarded as a national model for multifunctional rural land management, proving that ecological conservation and economic development are not mutually exclusive. An ongoing biodiversity monitoring programme ensures that visitor activity is carefully balanced against conservation requirements.