Reforestation • Biodiversity • Serra da Estrela

BioBeijames – Reforestation and Biodiversity Project in Verdelhos

Parish of Verdelhos, municipality of Covilhã, Portugal. Community project for soil carbon sequestration, reforestation with native species and biodiversity conservation in an area severely affected by the 2022 fire.

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Project Presentation

The BioBeijames Project consists of a soil carbon sequestration initiative through reforestation with native species and biodiversity conservation in an area affected by a major forest fire in Verdelhos. The 2022 fire was part of a large-scale event that consumed more than 24,000 hectares in the Serra da Estrela protected area.

The Project will be implemented in a community area managed by Baldios de Verdelhos and covers 787.95 hectares (about 35% of the 2,197.97 hectares of common land).

The plantation and the right to use all natural resources from the Project belong to the community, represented by Baldios de Verdelhos. The compartes are legally represented by the management bodies elected in General Assembly, under Law No. 75/2017, of August 17.

Project Objectives

Carbon sequestration through reforestation of 787.95 ha with native species suitable for the Verdelhos region.
Social and economic benefits for the local community, including pastoralism, agriculture, beekeeping and hunting activities.
Biodiversity restoration and increased ecological resilience, contributing to the conservation of local habitats, fauna and flora.

Entities Involved

1) Baldios de Verdelhos

Land owners, strategic partners and co-founders of the Project. They are a non-profit public legal entity whose main activity is silviculture and forest exploitation.

Area managed in the parish: 2,197.97 ha; approximately ~1,700 ha burned in 2022, including the 787.95 ha of the Project.
Competencies: sustainable forest management, fire protection and biodiversity conservation.
Community involvement: support for shepherds (seeds for pastures), beekeepers (honey production and pollination) and infrastructure rehabilitation.

2) Aeroflora Lda.

Project proponent, ensures technical capacity building for Baldios in obtaining and certifying carbon units, as well as technical monitoring.

Headquarters: Proença‑a‑Nova, Portugal.
Activities: ESG strategies for climate change mitigation and adaptation; quantification, reduction and offsetting of emissions.
Consultancy: strategic planning, sustainable development, territorial planning, environment and landscaping.
Experience: more than 30 years valuing territories and their natural capital.

3) SerQ

R&D center and innovation in wood technology (Sertã, Portugal). Will provide technical-scientific support in preparing the Project for verified carbon unit certification.

Focus: raw material quality, development and certification of new products and solutions.
Partnerships: University of Coimbra and LNEC.
Mission: enhance the agroforestry sector, protect the environment and promote environmental values for sustainable benefit of territories.

Stakeholders

Entities and associations with relevant presence in the territory, which may contribute to and benefit from the Project's success:

Contacts

Aeroflora Lda.

Address: Estrada Nacional 241, Moitas, 6150‑345 Proença‑a‑Nova
Website: aeroflora.pt

Direct contact

Catarina Correia — Aeroflora Lda.

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Localização e Mapa das Parcelas

Camadas interativas (Leaflet + OpenStreetMap). Se o seu dispositivo não suportar o mapa, use o botão em baixo para abrir o PDF original.

Abrir mapa em PDF Descarregar GeoJSON

Legal notes

Baldios de Verdelhos is the representative entity of the local community (compartes), according to Law No. 75/2017, of August 17. Planting rights and use of natural resources belong to the community.