Good morning. Today's Pulse leans towards water, wildfire and wild things: protection plans for six Azorean islands, rabbits returning to the Côa, and a steady drumbeat of energy and water investment across the country.
The Azorean government has published management plans for the land areas of natural parks on Terceira, Graciosa, Corvo, Flores, Santa Maria and São Jorge, setting protection zones and conservation goals. Invasive alien species are named as the main driver of biodiversity loss across the archipelago.
Rewilding Portugal has released 17 wild rabbits at Ermo das Águias in the Greater Côa Valley, its first such reintroduction, housed in artificial warrens until they spread out on their own. The species is a keystone prey animal for the Iberian wolf and lynx.
The Climate Agency has approved 18 co-management projects in protected areas, chosen from 29 applications and led by municipalities, associations and NGOs. The work spans nature conservation, heritage, sustainable tourism and environmental education.
Veterinary student Jade Gava is completing her second research stay with the LPN under the LIFE Aegypius Return project, combining bird capture and tagging with analysis of pellets and food remains from nests. The One Health approach links animal, human and environmental health.
A shepherd argues that traditional grazing on hills and mountain ranges clears fuel more effectively than water-bombing aircraft. The piece makes the case for pastoralism as a land-management complement to conventional firefighting.
The DBoidS project at the Polytechnic of Leiria and Oeste combines drones, artificial intelligence and digital twins for continuous surveillance of fire-risk areas. A smart docking station now allows uninterrupted flights, with validation under way alongside the GNR in Leiria.
A new ordinance regulates PEPAC support for training and information, with non-repayable funding of up to 300,000 euros per action plan and an 80% support rate. Certified training bodies, cooperatives, associations and technology centres are among the eligible beneficiaries.
The national electricity system has reached a new high for renewables and storage in system services markets, with 1,668 MW qualified for mFRR reserve and 340 MW for secondary regulation. It is presented as proof that Portugal can absorb growing renewable shares without losing reliability.
Moeve and Greenvolt Comunidades are turning 36 fuel stations with rooftop solar into shared generation for local energy communities. Eleven sites are already active across eight communities, with around 330 MWh a year expected to reach some 400 households.
Cleanwatts' chief executive frames energy communities as an answer to costs, decarbonisation and grid resilience, with 150 million euros planned for solar and storage by 2030. The company currently manages around 70 communities and 30 MWp of photovoltaic capacity.
Barcelos council has approved an international tender for a new wastewater treatment plant in Vila Frescainha São Pedro, worth over 35 million euros and due in 910 days. Some 25 million comes from the EU through the Norte 2030 regional programme.
The Madeira 2030 programme has opened a call for projects in the urban water cycle, focused on cutting losses, renewing deficient networks and extending public supply. Local authorities and regional public companies may apply until 28 August 2026.
Alentejo 2030 has opened a three-million-euro call, backed by ERDF, for the environmental recovery of abandoned quarries in critical condition. Public bodies may apply in phases until 31 May 2027, with the first window closing on 31 August 2026.
The "Pensar e Agir" series continues with three free sessions in September, October and December on textile waste, biowaste and biomethane, and recycling. They are open to professionals, companies, municipalities, academia and the general public.
Craftsman António Lameiro turns old wine barrels and casks into rustic furniture, a practice that began with a favour for a friend. His pieces include a coffee table and a lamp made from the two halves of the same cask, using as much of the wood as possible.
Turismo de Portugal has opened a one-million-euro call for municipalities and parishes to create free climate refuges under the new "Stay Cool" network. The spaces must offer thermal comfort and drinking water between 11am and 5pm on the hottest days, with up to 80% of costs covered.
The Almargem association hosts "Pensar o Território" in Monchique on 21 August, with morning field visits and afternoon "Future Tables" on attracting residents, landscape management, tourism and the local economy. Participation is free but requires registration.
Loulé council and NBI have published a guide identifying seven Nature Investment Hubs, with opportunities in ecological restoration, bioeconomy, regenerative farming, nature tourism and carbon and biodiversity markets. Around 64% of the municipality lies within classified areas.
"Super Guardiões do Planeta", run at the Rates primary school in Póvoa de Varzim, was chosen as national winner of the Pact2School Challenge 2026, with a 1,000-euro prize. Pupils learn about zero waste, composting and sustainability through hands-on activities.
The council's "Guardiões da Floresta e da Natureza 2.0" volunteering scheme puts ten young people to work for six weeks in the city park and gardens. It runs from 27 July to 4 September.
Research led by Ricardo Boavida Ferreira at the Instituto Superior de Agronomia is exploring deflamina, a patented protein from sweet lupin seeds. Potential applications range from functional foods to preventing and treating intestinal and other diseases.
The sixth Camp in Defence of Barroso expects 700 to 800 people in Covas do Barroso for several days of debates, workshops, concerts and a march against Savannah Resources' lithium project. Opposition from residents, local officials and environmentalists continues.
A video from Armação de Pêra beach in Silves showed workers mixing waste that had been separated for recycling, and the council has confirmed the footage. It blames a poorly prepared temporary replacement of the cleaning team and says the procedure has since been corrected.
A short read every morning — what's happening across sustainable Portugal.
