A Bridge Between Generations

Wildlife Portugal, in partnership with Rewilding Portugal, Beir’aja, and Ambieduca, and with funding from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, led an innovative initiative in the Greater Côa Valley. The project brought together young people and seniors in inter-generational camps designed to enhance the region’s natural and cultural heritage through direct experience.

Composed of three phases: In the first phase, held in a classroom setting, we presented the documentary “Wilder Côa” and discussed the theme of rewilding and active conservation initiatives in the Greater Côa Valley. In the second phase, we accompanied visits to the rewilding areas of Ermo das Águilas and Paul de Toirões. The third and final phase was a bootcamp, an inter-generational meeting held over two days in Vale de Madeira (Pinhel).

During two intensive days, in the bootcamp, participants:
– Experienced traditional knowledge: From making artisanal bread and cheese production to beekeeping and creating a joint herbarium;
– Engaged in conservation: Notably, they actively participated in releasing two tawny owls back into the wild, accompanying the work of C.E.R.A.S.;
– Preserved local memory: Young people recorded stories and testimonies from seniors, strengthening bonds and ensuring the transmission of knowledge.

This initiative demonstrated that the best way to protect nature is through those who live in and cherish it, creating lasting relationships between generations and reinforcing Wildlife Portugal’s commitment to sustainable nature tourism rooted in the local community.