
Bispo Bio-Reserve
Located near Podentes, an area of highly diverse native forest is part of Milvoz's set of conservation areas. This new Bio-Reserve is the result of a partnership with the affiliate member Luís Cardoso, whom Milvoz deeply thanks for his initiative in developing a pioneering collaborative model for the association.


The area under protection is home to dense woodland with oak, cork oak, strawberry, chestnut and elm trees. Beneath the dense canopy, a rich shrub layer is home to butcher's brooms, primroses, forget-me-nots and Solomon's seals. On the edge of the forest, a mosaic landscape greatly enhances biodiversity, providing wildlife with a range of food and opportunities in a multifunctional system, with traditional agriculture consisting of vineyards, orchards, olive groves, meadows and fallow land. A meadow, integrated into the Bio-Reserve, is undergoing an accelerated process of naturalisation following the restoration of a degraded agricultural area. At the beginning of the year, dusky dog fennels begin to appear, followed by huge clusters of scarlet pimpernels. In spring, the wild leek, the centaury and the pincushion flower attract huge numbers of butterflies and other insects, such as the painted lady, which has been observed laying its eggs on a boar thistle.​
It is in this context that a wide range of invertebrates thrive, with butterflies being particularly noteworthy, which have been part of a catalogue process in the area. At the bottom of the valley, Polygonia c-album, Kuchleria insignata and Valeria jaspidea fly frantically. The reed bunting is abundant on the edges and hedges, singing alongside the Iberian green woodpecker, the starling and the turtle dove. In the refuge of dense vegetation, the red squirrels, the beech marten and the roe deer appear, taking advantage of the abundance of food generated by the diverse vegetation. In the stream, the Iberian frog, the fire salamander and the marbled newt thrive in their niche, sheltering among the stone walls and leafy vegetation, which helps to maintain a cool and humid environment.​


The goal of Milvoz - preserving areas of rich biodiversity - is fully reinforced with the integration of this new piece of land into its range of Bio-Reserves! This new partnership with an associate has special symbolism: it shows that anyone can be an agent of change in their territory, actively contributing to the protection of biodiversity refuges, which are often discreet but ecologically precious. Preserving these places, no matter their size, through a multiplier effect, can have a real impact on building a healthier, more resilient and biodiverse landscape. These actions help to maintain centres of genetic diversity and prevent local extinctions, steps that are essential for ecological balance and the survival of species.
Become an agent in fulfilling Milvoz's mission!
Together, we can protect nature's most valuable assets, in a context that is unfortunately increasingly fraught with threats to ecosystem conservation.

