RWSW Rewilding Sudoeste

RWSW Rewilding Sudoeste is a non-profit nature and environment development association headquartered in Aljezur, founded in 2021. The association focuses its activities and projects across the Southwest of Portugal, especially in the municipalities of Aljezur, Monchique and Odemira, with a strong interest in protecting and developing native (autochthonous) forests and other natural habitats in the region. The group recognises the strategic importance of native forests for the Southwest of Portugal, given their significant heritage value as biodiversity hotspots as well as their landscape and economic value. Among the association's initiatives are post-wildfire emergency stabilization measures, the Zimbral for LIFE project, and fuel-break clearing to reduce fire risk. RWSW also played a key role in developing the Management Plan for the Vale das Amoreiras Private Protected Area (APPVA), a 10.8-hectare private reserve in Aljezur owned by Nelly and Raban von Mentzingen. This area is home to deciduous oak woodland and cork oak forest, including rare and endemic species such as Quercus estremadurensis and Senecio lopezii, an endangered species on Portugal's Red List of Flora, along with rich fungal, moss, and reptile biodiversity, including an isolated population of water lizards. The association uses this protected area as a hub for environmental education activities and as a model for future spontaneous-growth native forests across Southwest Portugal. RWSW invites individuals and organisations who share its vision of native forest restoration and nature-close silviculture to become members or partners, contributing to the long-term transformation of Aljezur's forest landscape over the coming years and decades.