Corvo hosts Portuguese Biosphere Reserves Festival - Communication

Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e Ação Climática

The Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Action, Alonso Miguel, chaired on Thursday the opening of the 4th edition of the Portuguese Biosphere Reserves Festival, which is taking place on the island of Corvo until March 29, highlighting the importance of this event in promoting sustainable regions and enhancing natural, cultural and human heritage.

According to the government official, this event “has established itself as a benchmark in the promotion of sustainable territories and the enhancement of natural, cultural and human heritage at a national level.”

“This fourth edition, held on the island of Corvo, takes on a particularly special significance, as it completes a cycle that began four years ago in the Azores with the aim of raising the profile of the Region’s four Biosphere Reserves,” he continued.

“This festival has been a success in the Azores, with the first edition taking place on the island of Graciosa in 2023, followed by the Fajãs de São Jorge in 2024, and moving to Flores in 2025. It is now with particular enthusiasm that we welcome this fourth edition on the island of Corvo,” he said.

Alonso Miguel recalled that “Corvo was recognised as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2007, making it, alongside Graciosa, the second oldest Biosphere Reserve in Portugal, emphasising that it is a small territory in size, but extraordinarily rich from a natural, cultural and social standpoint."

“Corvo may be small in terms of land area, but it is vast in terms of the richness of its natural, cultural and social heritage,” he said, adding that “the island, covering just 17.1 km², boasts a rare scenic beauty, characterised by the grandeur of the Caldeirão and the concentration of ecosystems of significant ecological value.”

The government official also highlighted the island’s strong cultural dimension and the local community’s ability to preserve unique traditions and cultural practices, noting that Corvo constitutes “one of the most striking examples of the harmonious coexistence between human beings and nature.”

“This community has, over time, managed to withstand the hardships arising from extreme remoteness and adapt to each new challenge, ensuring a balance between conservation, cultural identity and sustainable development,” he emphasised.

Alonso Miguel also pointed out that “the Biosphere Reserves Festival is not limited to the programme of the host island, but also features mirror events held in other Biosphere Reserves across the country, including those in the Azores, fostering the spirit of cooperation and networking.”

In his speech, the Regional Secretary highlighted “the extraordinary natural heritage of the Azores and the international recognition the Region has been achieving, noting that four Azorean islands are classified as Biosphere Reserves.”

The Regional Secretary also highlighted other significant achievements, such as “the designation of 41 areas under the Natura 2000 network, the designation of 13 Ramsar sites, the recognition of the Priolo Lands with the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism, the classification of the "Triangle" Islands (Faial, Pico and São Jorge) as a Bio-Region, and the inclusion of the Azores Geopark in the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network.”

“In fact, the Azores are one of the few regions in the world designated as MIDAS – Multi-Internationally Designated Areas, which simultaneously encompass Ramsar sites, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Biosphere Reserves and UNESCO Global Geoparks,” he continued.

Alonso Miguel highlighted the Azores’ certification as the world’s first archipelago classified as a Sustainable Tourism Destination by EarthCheck, which currently holds gold-level certification.

“All these distinctions bolster a brand image of sustainability, which is increasingly sought after and valuable, representing an extraordinary tourism asset and a catalyst for the regional economic and social development,” he stated.

However, the government official also highlighted the collective responsibility to protect and enhance this natural heritage.

“All this heritage is as valuable as it is fragile, so we bear the huge responsibility, both collectively and individually, to ensure its protection and enhancement, in an ongoing process that demands constant reflection and adaptation to new challenges,” he emphasised.

In this context, Alonso Miguel highlighted the work carried out by the Regional  Government to preserve and enhance the natural heritage, notably through the creation of the Regional Network of Protected Areas, the Island Nature Parks, the Regional Network of Environmental Interpretation Centres, and the implementation of various land management tools.

The government official also noted that “about 45% of the land area of Corvo Island is part of the Island Nature Park, highlighting the importance of preserving the local natural heritage, as well as the role of local communities in managing Biosphere Reserves."

“Biosphere Reserves are dynamic areas with real communities, rich histories and extraordinary potential for sustainable development. Ultimately, the Biosphere Reserve is all of us,” he said.

In this regard, he called on "all partners of the Corvo Biosphere Reserve, from the Municipal Council to the Regional Government services, public companies, local action groups and environmental NGOs, to remain committed to the management and promotion of this territory."

“Over the coming days, the festival will feature a varied and participatory programme, including interpretive trails, sporting events, musical performances, film screenings, talks, environmental education initiatives aimed at children and young people, as well as a visit to the Flores Biosphere Reserve,” he explained.

He concluded: “More than just a celebration, this festival aims to be a platform for dialogue, action and commitment to a model of sustainable development, helping to strengthen the communities’ sense of belonging to the Biosphere Reserves – a distinction that is a source of immense pride for all Azoreans.”