Pulse

6 September 2026

A day that leans on the land: vines recovering from fire, boars at the village edge, and questions about what our fields are for. We close with a fair, a festival and a quiet country house.

Land, fire and wildlife

Mação to meet hunters and wildlife agency over wild boar surge

The Mação council will meet hunting associations and the ICNF on 11 September to tackle a growing wild boar presence across the municipality. Mayor José Fernando Martins said the animals are entering villages, destroying crops, damaging municipal property and causing road accidents. He linked the rise partly to abandoned farmland, which has pushed boars closer to homes in search of food. Residents have been asked not to feed the animals and to keep bins secured. The ICNF estimates around 300,000 wild boars now live in mainland Portugal.

Centro Ecosystems & Biodiversity Read more at Agroportal ↗ View project: ICNF - Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas →

Three Portuguese fire-prevention projects cited among Mediterranean's best practices

An international study led by researcher Elsa Varela of Spain's CSIC has identified ten Mediterranean initiatives, including three Portuguese ones, as examples of a new generation of wildfire risk management strategies. The Portuguese projects are FIZ in the Pinhal Interior, CARE in central-eastern Portugal, and the nationwide Aldeia Segura/Pessoas Seguras programme. Rather than relying mainly on fire suppression through firebreaks or aircraft, these approaches focus on landscape management, multiple land uses and community involvement. The study warns of a 'fire paradox', where suppressing fires builds up fuel that fosters larger blazes, and calls for greater investment in cross-sector collaboration and long-term governance.

Centro Ecosystems & Biodiversity Read more at Jornal PT Green ↗

Two damara pines felled at São Lourenço Palace in Funchal

Two damara pines (Agathis robusta), a species native to Papua New Guinea introduced in Madeira in the 19th century, were felled inside São Lourenço Palace in Funchal. The trees' roots lacked sufficient support, posing a risk of collapse onto Avenida Arriaga during windy weather and threatening the historic building. Forestry authorities and other bodies issued favourable opinions for the felling after the trees were found to endanger the palace, which is undergoing a roughly 2.3 million euro rehabilitation of its civil area, covering roof repairs and structural degradation. The felling operation proceeded safely.

Madeira Ecosystems & Biodiversity Read more at Funchal Notícias ↗

What the land is for

Quercus Madeira urges halt to golf courses to protect farmland

The Madeira branch of environmental group Quercus has warned that the region's heavy dependence on imported food leaves it exposed to a potential global food crisis. It calls for agricultural land and water resources to be protected rather than given over to golf courses and related property development. The group cites ongoing golf course construction at Ponta do Pargo, plus planned projects in Faial and Porto Santo, as threats to farmland and water reserves. Quercus argues Madeira's reliance on tourism is a major vulnerability and calls for policies favouring greater regional resilience and food self-sufficiency.

Madeira Food & Agriculture Read more at Funchal Notícias ↗

Alentejo regional body seeks study on Tagus-Guadiana water link

Portugal's Alentejo regional coordination commission (CCDR Alentejo) is pushing for a formal study into transferring water from the Tagus river basin to the Guadiana basin, which feeds the Alqueva reservoir. The idea, previously discussed informally, is now moving towards a more concrete evaluation phase. The aim would be to reinforce Alqueva's water reserves, an important resource for irrigation and supply in the Alentejo region. Further details on timing, cost or technical feasibility were not given in the available text.

Alentejo Energy, Water & Mobility Read more at Agroportal ↗

Waste, energy and the road ahead

Norway's deposit-return recycling model inspires Portugal's new Volta scheme

Norway has built a highly effective deposit-return system that makes returning plastic bottles and aluminium cans a routine, financially rewarding habit for millions of people. Portugal is now trying to replicate that model through a new scheme called Volta, which pays consumers back for returning empty packaging. Despite Norway's success as a reference point, the launch of Volta in Portugal is meeting scepticism, reflecting the practical and cultural challenges of adapting a well-established Scandinavian system to a different country roughly three thousand kilometres away.

Products, Consumption & Circular Read more at Público ↗

Portugal completes all environment and energy targets under recovery plan

Portugal's Ministry of Environment and Energy has completed all 51 targets under its responsibility in the EU's Recovery and Resilience Plan, with investment exceeding 1.8 billion euros. Key results include support for over 85,000 homes through energy efficiency schemes, 204 kilometres of water network upgrades in the Algarve exceeding the original goal, 447 million euros invested in hydrogen and battery storage, and 952 zero-emission buses deployed. The European Commission praised Portugal's use of the funds to tackle energy poverty. Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho said the government now aims to build on this foundation in coming years.

Energy, Water & Mobility Read more at Jornal Económico ↗

Leiria region struggles with waste chaos seven months after storm Kristin

Seven months after storm Kristin hit, bulky waste and construction debris in the Leiria region are still being dumped in a disorganised way, often illegally. The local councillor for the environment describes the situation as chaos and lawlessness that has taken hold, not just locally but across much of the country. The prolonged mishandling of storm-related waste is adding to the overall cost and disruption caused by the storm, with no clear sign yet of the problem being brought under control.

Centro Products, Consumption & Circular Read more at Região de Leiria ↗

Arganil mayor calls for openness to new energy ideas

Arganil's mayor, Luís Paulo Costa, said on 5 September that the municipality will stay attentive to new forms of energy production and remain prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the energy transition. The statement coincided with the opening of an exhibition, "100 anos de eletricidade em Arganil" (100 years of electricity in Arganil), at the Cerâmica Arganilense venue, marking a century of the local electricity supply.

Centro Energy, Water & Mobility Read more at Notícias de Coimbra ↗

Close to home

Beja home-improvement aid scheme closes applications today

The NERBE/AEBAL business association, in partnership with the NORMA Group, is running the social programme "Construir com Coração" to help families in the Beja municipality carry out small home-improvement works. The scheme targets households struggling to maintain their homes, covering basic repairs, minor renovations and essential structural improvements to boost comfort, hygiene and safety. Applications close today, 6 September, and are open only to residents of the Beja municipality. The organisers say the initiative aims to mobilise the local community and support those most in need.

Alentejo Construction & Housing Read more at Rádio Pax ↗

Funchal to build environmental training centre for scouts

At a ceremony marking the 113th anniversary of the Associação de Escoteiros de Portugal, held at Funchal's Parque Ecológico near Casa do Burro, mayor Jorge Carvalho announced that the park will gain an Environmental Training Centre within two years. The facility is aimed mainly at scouts but will also be open to the public. The event, attended by environment councillor Paula Jardim and regional youth director André Alves, included a formation ceremony, an environmental awareness activity themed around small everyday actions, and a picnic running until 4pm.

Madeira Education & Eco-tourism Read more at JM Madeira ↗

Good things ahead

Raízes Vivas food festival returns to Santarém

The Raízes Vivas Festival will hold its second edition in Santarém on September 25 and 26. Organisers expect between 4,500 and 5,000 visitors over the two days. The event centres on gastronomy and regenerative agriculture, themes that shaped its first edition as well.

Centro Food & Agriculture Read more at The Portugal News ↗

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