Landscape Laboratory: 10 years on the road to sustainability

Over the last decade, the institution has promoted sustainability and well-being, positively impacting communities and the environment.

The Guimarães Landscape Laboratory is celebrating 10 years of activity, dedicated to promoting sustainability and well-being, positively impacting communities and the environment. This Wednesday, the date was marked with a gala honouring the institution’s journey and its contribution to environmental research and education over the last decade, as well as the importance of science and education as decision support for building more sustainable and resilient territories. The event, which included multimedia and musical moments, was attended by around two hundred people and kicked off with speeches by the president of the Board of Directors, Adelina Pinto, and José Pimenta Machado, President of the Portuguese Environment Agency. The closing speech was given by José Meijóme, representing the Rector of the University of Minho, and Domingos Bragança, Mayor of Guimarães.

Throughout the evening, the participation of personalities who marked the launch, growth and development of the Landscape Laboratory was also highlighted, and they had the opportunity to mark the most important moments of this decade for the Landscape Laboratory.

Domingos Bragança, mayor of Guimarães, highlighted the role of the Landscape Laboratory in the journey that ‘Guimarães has been on since 2014, towards climate neutrality by 2030. Its work has been fundamental at the scientific level, in collecting data, which is absolutely important for decision-making. But also environmental education, with the municipal education programme, PEGADAS, which reaches all the schools in the municipality. Thank you, Landscape Laboratory. The Municipality and Guimarães recognise and thank you for your work of excellence.’

Adelina Pinto, chairwoman of the Board of Directors, said that this event celebrated the ‘Landscape Laboratory and its work in research, environmental education, and the greater goal of sustainability and well-being in a territory that is better for everyone. In ten years, the Laboratory has built this great community because it has always worked with people and for people, particularly in environmental education.’

José Pimenta Machado, President of the APA – Portuguese Environment Agency, emphasised that the Landscape Laboratory ‘has made a very important contribution to Guimarães, the region and the country, at various levels, but especially in terms of environmental education. This is extremely important work, which the Landscape Laboratory has done remarkably well and should continue to do.’

Carlos Ribeiro, the institution’s executive director since 2015, emphasised that ‘In these 10 years, we believe that the Landscape Laboratory has been an important agent for the green transition and for designing a more sustainable future for Guimarães, the country and the world. He continues: ‘The future holds a demanding path, but we are prepared to continue innovating and inspiring the next generations to protect our planet, with the collaboration of all our partners,’ he concludes.

A decade of achievements and environmental leadershipFounded in 2014, the Landscape Laboratory began its activity with three researchers in the fields of ecology, hydraulics and geography. It currently has a team of 20 people focused on Green Areas, Biodiversity, Climate, Circular Economy, Water Resources, Health and Well-being and Soil. The organisation’s work is based on three main areas of intervention: Research and Education, Project and Application Management, and Environmental Communication and Training. It has also played a key role in Guimarães’ bid to become European Green Capital, and is the headquarters of the Guimarães 2030 mission structure.

Over the last decade, Laboratório da Paisagem has been involved in more than three dozen national and international projects with partners from various countries, including 21 European countries and Brazil. Currently, it stands out for leading a group in the European EuroCities network and, at a local level, coordinating the municipal environmental education programme PEGADAS, which impacts more than 20,000 students every year with more than 800 actions. It is also the headquarters of the Guimarães 2030 mission structure and of Guimarães’ bid to become European Green Capital.