The Senhora da Alegria Bio-Reserve was the first area acquired by the association, through a fundraising campaign with contributions from 164 citizens, in May 2019. 

 

This is a mixed indigenous forest, rich in biodiversity, which develops on a steep north-facing slope between the villages of Almalaguês and Rio de Galinhas (region of Coimbra). The trail that crosses it from top to bottom corresponds to the historic pilgrimage route to the Chapel of Our Lady of Alegria (Joy).

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In October 2021, we deeded the second Milvoz Bio-Reserve, which is located on a slope right next to the ocean, south to Nazaré. This is the Serra da Pescaria Bio-Reserve! The vegetation we find here is very dense and essentially shrubby, offering very particular habitats for local biodiversity, and allowing us to diversify the sites we set out to conserve.

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At the beginning of 2023 we set up the Morena Bio-Reserve, based on limestone soil and dominated by Mediterranean vegetation. There are several hectares of habitats rich in biodiversity, including a pit that takes us several tens of metres down into a geological heritage completely new to Milvoz!
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In the same year, we announced the area that became Milvoz' first Integral Bio-Reserve, called “Vale da Aveleira” (Hazelnut tree Valley). In the heart of the mountain range of Lousã, this place is characterised by the extreme steepness of its slopes, the absence of human influence and consequent environmental harmony that reigns here, and above all by the beauty and grandeur of its highly biodiverse forests!