RWSW Rewilding Sudoeste

RWSW Rewilding Sudoeste works across southwest Portugal, especially in the municipalities of Aljezur, Monchique and Odemira. Its work centres on protecting and developing native, or autochthonous, forests and other natural habitats in the region. It's a non-profit nature and environment development association, founded in 2021 and based in Aljezur. The association sees native forests as strategically important for the southwest. They have significant heritage value as biodiversity hotspots, and they also matter for the landscape and the local economy. RWSW's initiatives include emergency stabilisation measures after wildfires, the Zimbral for LIFE project, and clearing fuel breaks to reduce fire risk. RWSW played a key role in developing the Management Plan for the Vale das Amoreiras Private Protected Area (APPVA). This 10.8-hectare private reserve in Aljezur is owned by Nelly and Raban von Mentzingen. It has deciduous oak woodland and cork oak forest, with rare and endemic species such as Quercus estremadurensis and Senecio lopezii, which is listed as endangered on Portugal's Red List of Flora. The reserve is also rich in fungi, mosses and reptiles, among them an isolated population of water lizards. The association uses it as a base for environmental education, and as a model for future native forests of spontaneous growth across southwest Portugal. Individuals and organisations who share RWSW's vision of native forest restoration and nature-close silviculture are invited to become members or partners. Together they would help transform Aljezur's forest landscape over the coming years and decades.