GREEN GAP

Two of the GREEN GAP pilot projects are taking place in Guimarães:

1 – Renaturalisation and Rehabilitation of sections of the Febras river and Agrela stream, Guimarães.

The intervention areas are located along 9 km between Citânia de Briteiros (UF Briteiros e S. Salvador, GPS: 41°31’35.7″N 8°18’55.1″W) and the Praia Seca Leisure Park (Caldelas, GPS: 41°29’19.5″N 8°20’12.5″W).

The purpose of restoring and renaturalising the stream is to rehabilitate sections of the watercourse by implementing natural engineering techniques; creating planting plans to control and manage invasive species, encouraging the planting of native species. With the aim of improving the ecological functions of the riparian gallery, promoting the ecological connectivity of the municipality’s green corridors and reviving its natural and heritage history.

OBJECTIVES

– Rehabilitation and recovery of sections of the River Febras and the Agrela stream, promoting the mitigation of the effects of floods and inundation through the application of natural engineering techniques;

– Creation of planting plans to contain invasive and weed species;

– Planting riparian forests;

– Reforestation of plots of wasteland adjacent to the water line. Planting of native forest species;

– Restoration and landscaping of forest land to create a naturalised leisure park;

– Promote the use of existing paths that connect natural and cultural heritage;

– Reducing waterproofed areas near the water line;

– Rehabilitation and recovery of banks adjacent to industrial areas.

2 – Reforestation of the Biodiversity Route, Guimarães

The intervention plots are located over 4km, between Avenida Rio de Janeiro (GPS: 41°26’54.1″N 8°16’18.2″W) and Santuário da Penha (GPS: 41°25’58.5″N 8°16’09.0″W). It is proposed to reforest wasteland on the side of the existing Biodiversity Route.

The Biodiversity Route is a forestry trail that includes a number of priority habitats. The proposal is aimed at planting plots that have been deforested or invaded by exotic and invasive plants, thereby boosting the planting of native trees.

OBJECTIVES

– To promote the connection of the municipality through existing routes;

– Create planting plans adapted to the conditions of the terrain (wetlands, edge areas, headlands);

– Enhance the existing route;

– Promote the creation of new habitats, boosting ecological connectivity;

The project will run until June 2026 and is 75% co-financed with ERDF funds, with a total budget of more than 2.178 million euros, with the Landscape Laboratory receiving a share of approximately 143,000 euros, while the Municipality of Guimarães will have an allocation of 170,000 euros. Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)