Regen Waves
Regen Waves is a non-profit movement regenerating the Arrábida bioregion in Portugal through native 'superforests', community-led Regen Walks, and regenerative agroforestry training for farmers.
Founded in 2021 and formalized as a non-profit association in 2024, Regen Waves is a movement dedicated to regenerating ecosystems at a bioregion scale, based in Palmela, in the Arrábida region of Portugal. Following the devastating Palmela fires of 2022, the team restarted the Regen Lab Forest, transforming degraded soils into a thriving 'superforest' designed with native species to endure for the next 250 years. This model accelerates ecological succession up to ten times faster than conventional reforestation, integrating soil, plants, and wildlife into a resilient system that boosts biodiversity, provides long-term food and medicinal abundance, and withstands storms and heat extremes. Over 1,000 people have joined the movement through trainings, Regen Walks, and collective actions, creating 11 active regenerative hotspots across 81.5 hectares. Regen Waves is now scaling this blueprint across a 40km peninsula, aiming to establish 50 interconnected sites as part of a broader 25,000-hectare bioregional plan. The organization runs a Pilot Program in Regenerative Agroforestry, supported by partners such as Fujitsu and ADREPES, to train local farmers and land stewards in soil regeneration, irrigation, and agroforestry techniques. Community engagement is central to the mission: monthly Regen Walks invite anyone, regardless of expertise, to immerse in the landscape, learn about native ecosystems, and help sow native seeds. Regen Waves combines onsite action in Arrábida with online education, positioning itself as a replicable global model for bottom-up climate action, food sovereignty, biodiversity, and community resilience.
Our Goal
Regen Waves aims to accelerate ecosystem regeneration across the Arrábida bioregion by planting fast-growing native 'superforests', restoring degraded soils, and empowering farmers, schools, and communities to adopt regenerative practices at scale.
Our Wishes
The project seeks donations and crowdfunding support to expand its Superforest network from 11 to 50 sites, as well as more volunteers, farmers, land stewards, and community members to join trainings, Regen Walks, and collective actions.
