New project links Rabo de Peixe pupils and families to the sea
A new 18-month project called "Heróis do Mar Também se Fazem em Terra" launches this school year in Rabo de Peixe, São Miguel, combining education, environment, science, technology and art. Run by the Get Art association, it starts as a pilot with three classes, including electronics students, and involves community assemblies about the sea, family history-gathering, underwater exploration using diving equipment, water sampling, and building a machine that turns collected plastic into 3D-printing filament. The project aims to make pupils active participants rather than passive learners, and will end with an exhibition at the Arquipélago Centro de Artes Contemporâneas.
Coimbra Botanical Garden gives 120 native plants to new students
The University of Coimbra's Botanical Garden is relaunching its "UC.Plantas" environmental awareness project for the 2026/2027 academic year, under the slogan "Saber plantar o futuro". On 23 September, between 5pm and 7.30pm at Avenida das Tílias, first-year students can collect one of 120 native trees and shrubs offered by the garden to take home and care for. Throughout the year, participants will also be invited to join volunteering activities at the garden. Interested students must complete an online form by 1pm on the day of the event.
Cascais school brings zero-waste cooking to Lisbon sustainability fair
On Sunday at Parque Eduardo VII in Lisbon, the international school Aprendizes (Cascais) will take part in Cidade do Zero, Portugal's largest sustainability event. Chef Joana Xardoné, who runs the school's organic, zero-waste kitchen, will lead a free show-cooking session on using food fully to cut waste. Separately, pedagogical director Eunice Maia will join a panel on the school of the future alongside representatives of Fundação Mendes Gonçalves and Educa-te. Both activities require no registration. The school's kitchen sources food locally and from its own garden, feeding around 550 students, amid data showing each Portuguese person wasted over 161.2 kg of food in 2024.
Arcos de Valdevez renews local food deal for school meals
The Arcos de Valdevez municipal council has renewed a cooperation protocol with the local agricultural cooperative, the school grouping, a parents' association and the school meals provider to keep supplying local produce to school canteens. Items include cachena beef, tarreste beans, chestnuts and Ermelo oranges. The initiative falls under the council's "Terras do Vez - Sabores e Tradições" programme, which aims to promote local products and producers while encouraging healthier, more balanced school meals. Officials say the move reinforces support for the local economy, sustainability and meal quality for pupils.
LPN leads Lisbon teacher training walk on water and heritage
On 12 September, the Liga para a Protecção da Natureza, with EPAL support, ran a teacher training walk in Lisbon called "Caminhos da Água". Covering about 5km from Parque do Calhau in Monsanto to the Sampaio Bruno geomonument, participants used a digital and printed guide to explore links between water, geology and biodiversity at three stops, including the Águas Livres Aqueduct and Jardim da Parada. The route also prompted discussion on civic participation regarding a planned metro station at Campo de Ourique. The initiative aimed to equip teachers to use Lisbon's natural and heritage sites for future school field trips.
Madeira hiking group to hold first exchange in Azores
The Associação do Caminho Real da Madeira will hold its first inter-association exchange dedicated to hiking, taking place from 1 to 6 October on São Miguel island, in partnership with the Associação Ecológica Amigos dos Açores. A delegation of 14 members will discuss shared challenges such as trail use, nature conservation, heritage value and sustainable development, take part in two guided hikes on 3 and 4 October, visit natural and cultural sites, and attend institutional receptions. The trip is part of the association's 2026 activity plan and aims to build lasting cooperation with other hiking and heritage organisations.
Ponte de Lima to host traditional corn bread workshop
Ponte de Lima's Centro de Interpretação do Território will hold a cultural workshop on making traditional corn bread with chouriço, baked in an old wood-fired oven, timed to World Bread Day month. Open to the general public, the free event takes place on Saturday, 17 October, at 2pm. Organisers say participants will be involved in every stage of the process, from kneading the dough to tasting the finished bread. Prior registration is required to attend.
