Rehabilitated storks return to the wild
Rehabilitated storks were released back into their natural habitat in the BioRia area, with local conservation groups involved.
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Pulse
11 July 2026
A calm Saturday overview of sustainable Portugal, from restored storks and nature plans to water debates and greener ways to move around.
407 restoration measures on the table
The ICNF's draft plan details 407 interventions, targets of 260 km² restored and three million trees a year, open for consultation until August 19.
Bordalo II's flamingos from waste in Olhão
A new mural made from around 300 kg of waste celebrates the Ria Formosa and encourages environmental awareness in Olhão.
Debate over the State's role
On CNN Portugal, Sérgio Sousa Pinto used Almada to argue the State struggles to manage water, criticising unacceptable network losses.
Petition against private water in Feira
A petition with 1,834 signatures in Santa Maria da Feira calls for remunicipalising the water service now run by Indaqua.
Updated rules for drinking water
The President signed amendments to the drinking water quality regime, transposing EU directives into national law.
Desalination and water reuse in the Algarve
Work began on a €108 million desalination plant in Albufeira, alongside a new water reuse station and a farming pilot in Loulé.
Recycled water for Loures stadium
A €836,000 system will irrigate the Loures Stadium pitch with treated water instead of potable water.
Leiria calls for lower-impact alternatives
Local officials say the ZAER plan is disproportionate and favour offshore wind, green hydrogen and reusing existing infrastructure.
Miranda do Douro against megaprojects
The municipal assembly unanimously opposed new renewables megaprojects on the Planalto Mirandês and asked to delay the consultation.
Portugal a leader in hydrogen valleys
Portugal ranks third in Europe for hydrogen valleys, with Sines as the main hub, though regulatory and cost challenges persist.
More biodiesel in diesel fuel
The Government raised the biodiesel limit in diesel from 7% to 10%, keeping a 7% option for older vehicles.
Free energy advice in Penela
Penela's Espaço Energia offers free advice to help residents cut energy use and improve home efficiency.
Free public transport in Porto
Porto residents with the city card now travel free on public transport, a measure expected to cost over €30 million by 2028.
Guimarães hosts CIVITAS mobility course
European mobility experts met in Guimarães to work on multimodality, school mobility and urban logistics solutions.
ZERO wants a rail-only Douro bridge
ZERO praised the underground Santo Ovídio station but urged a rail-only Douro bridge and less parking at high-speed stations.
A second life fixing bikes in Benfica
Former photographer Salvador Esteves runs Salva Biclas, championing the bicycle as sustainable urban transport in Lisbon.
Record of young farmers applying
AJAP's technical days highlighted a record 24,312 young farmer applications and the challenge of attracting youth to agriculture.
Climate and irrigation debated in Odemira
A horticulture colloquium in Odemira will discuss climate shocks and the future of the Mira irrigation scheme.
New agroclimatic platform from IPMA
IPMA launched a free agroclimatic platform with indicators, risk alerts and forecasts to support farming decisions.
Meeting on sustainable soil management
Coimbra hosted the annual soil sciences meeting focused on sustainable soil management in agroecosystems.
Rural dynamics conference calls for papers
RURDYNAMIX 2026 in Baião opens paper submissions on rural resilience, innovation and land planning.
Iberian beekeeping congress returns
Vila Real will host the Iberian Beekeeping Congress in March 2027, gathering researchers and beekeepers.
Albufeira takes over ecopoint management
Albufeira signed a protocol with ALGAR to manage selective waste collection and boost recycling participation.
Maia values green waste
Maiambiente launched a campaign to improve sorting of green waste and turn it into natural compost.
46 new trees for a Leiria garden
Leiria's Luís de Camões garden will gain 46 trees to replace storm losses and boost climate resilience.
Caminha eyes cleared Minho river
Caminha expects the Minho river to be dredged by 2027/2028 and defends a new marina to boost nautical tourism.
Wool innovation week in Manteigas
Manteigas hosts a wool innovation week with debates, artistic residencies and designer collaborations with local factories.
Swiss-backed sustainable routes in Madeira
New thematic tourist routes in Câmara de Lobos, funded by a Swiss foundation, aim to promote sustainable tourism.
A 'conscious village' in the Alentejo
NEOS, a 410-hectare project in the Alentejo, plans a sustainable village of 144 homes with farming and a retreat centre.
More on the CREE Iberia venture
The venture combines wood, concrete and prefabricated parts to promote efficient, low-carbon construction in Portugal and Spain.
Illegal pig farm polluting a Madeira stream
JPP says an illegal pig farm discharging into a Câmara de Lobos stream confirms pollution concerns, and demands answers from the council.
Limpets back but pricey in Madeira
Limpet harvesting resumed in Madeira after 21 months, with over 19 tonnes gathered but prices near €30 a kilo.
Recent
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- Good morning! Today's Pulse carries the weight of summer heat, from water use to food waste, alongside quiet good news for rivers, soil and renewable energy.
- Happy Monday! Today's Pulse ranges from wild valleys and electric trains to water worries and the quiet art of telling one olive oil from another.
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