Sra. da Alegria Bio-Reserve
It is located on a steep north-facing slope between the villages of Almalaguês and Rio de Galinhas, fifteen kilometres from the city of Coimbra.
On its arenite soils, there is a leafy vegetation cover with Atlantic-Mediterranean characteristics. In the wetter, shadier areas, the oak and chestnut trees dominate, while on the more exposed, drier headlands there is Mediterranean forest, abundant in species such as the cork oak and the strawberry tree.
At the bottom of the slope runs the permanent waters of the Polomos stream, bordered by hazelnut and willow trees.
This slope is home to a very rich range of biodiversity, particularly forest birds, mesocarnivores and ungulates, as well as reptiles and amphibians.
High up, in the treetops, you may be lucky enough to spot emblematic species such as the goshawk, the bullfinch, the lesser spotted woodpecker or the nuthatch, as well as the energetic red squirrel.
Tucked away in the dense understory, you should be concentrated to spot the roe deer, the genet, the badger or the weasel, elusive species that are more active at the end of the day.
In the wetter spots and along the watercourses, it's worth looking out for the Iberian frog, the golden-striped salamander, the midwife toad and the Iberian emerald lizard, all of them charismatic species of these habitats. Given this wealth of life, Milvoz carries out the environmental management of this area in order to ensure the conservation and maturation of the existing native forest, as well as the conservation of all the other biodiversity that depends on it.
We continuously monitor the fauna and flora and improve the various existing habitats, organise activities with the community and carry out environmental education.
Invasive plant species control, ecological recovery of damaged areas and restoration of the river bank gallery, construction of nest boxes and water points, making and maintaining visitor trails and sessions of biodiversity observation are some of the activities organised by Milvoz at the Senhora da Alegria Bio-Reserve.
To help this conservation project, Milvoz has created a group of volunteers to manage and take care of this area, which you can also join by signing up here.
Discover what we are preserving
In 2023, thanks to 'Bio-Reserva Senhora da Alegria: A project for the benefit of the territory and the community', it was possible to create a guide on the fauna and flora occurring in the Bio-Reserve.
Partners that make all the difference!
Since the beginning, Milvoz has had the support of countless citizens who have enabled, among other achievements, the acquisition and expansion of the Senhora da Alegria Bio-Reserve.
However, the support of the business sector cannot be overlooked, as it allows us to considerably increase the impact of the measures implemented on the ground. With the help of business partners, Milvoz can move forward more quickly and effectively in changing the paradigm of nature preservation and rural areas in Portugal. Here are the companies who have decided to give nature a voice so far:
Visit us!
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Located between the villages of Almalaguês and Rio de Galinhas (Coimbra), the Senhora da Alegria Bio-Reserve can be visited from three points. The Chapel of Our Lady of Alegria (recommended), the Casa do Fogo or the Fonte do Calvo.
40°07'20.8‘N 8°23'20.5’W