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Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e Ação Climática
Alonso Miguel highlights key role of nature rangers in environmental preservation and nature conservation
Alonso Miguel highlights key role of nature rangers in environmental preservation and nature conservation
Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e Ação Climática
Alonso Miguel highlights importance of LIFE IP CLIMAZ project for climate adaptation and protection of people and property in the Azores
Alonso Miguel highlights importance of LIFE IP CLIMAZ project for climate adaptation and protection of people and property in the Azores
Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e Ação Climática
Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action marks World Environmental Education Day
Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action marks World Environmental Education Day
February 3, 2026
Alonso Miguel highlights key role of nature rangers in environmental preservation and nature conservation
January 30, 2026
Alonso Miguel highlights importance of LIFE IP CLIMAZ project for climate adaptation and protection of people and property in the Azores
January 27, 2026
Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action marks World Environmental Education Day
News
Nota de Imprensa
February 3, 2026
Alonso Miguel highlights key role of nature rangers in environmental preservation and nature conservation
The Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Action, Alonso Miguel, took part in an educational birdwatching session with an interpretive trail in Paul da Pedreira, held on Monday on the island of Terceira, as part of the celebrations for World Wetlands Day and National Nature Ranger Day. Promoted by nature rangers, the initiative involved 20 preschool children from the "O Gu e a Tita" kindergarten in Praia da Vitória. It aimed to reinforce the importance of preserving wetlands and raise awareness of the important role of nature rangers. The initiative was part of a wide-ranging programme of environmental education and awareness-raising activities to be carried out across the Azores islands between January 21 and February 5. "With a view to marking these important events, the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action prepared a wide range of educational and environmental awareness activities, including lectures, field trips and visits to environmental centres, clean-up actions in public spaces and ecological restoration activities, interpretive trails and bird watching in wetlands. They are aimed at children and young people from different levels of education and the general public, with the indispensable participation of our Nature Rangers, in conjunction with the Environmental and Climate Action Services of the nine islands," stated the government official. Alonso Miguel emphasised that “wetlands are ecosystems of high ecological, environmental, landscape and social value, providing ecosystem services that are fundamental to the safety and well-being of populations, namely in terms of regulating the water cycle, protecting biodiversity, recharging aquifers and mitigating climate change effects." "As true biodiversity hotspots, wetlands are also prime locations for bird watching, an activity that is growing in popularity in the Azores and, as such, is an important tourist asset with economic relevance," he added. The Regional Secretary also pointed out that "the Azores have 13 wetlands classified as being of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, covering around 13,000 hectares." He added that "the Regional Government has been developing various structural nature conservation projects, with emphasis on LIFE projects, namely LIFE IP AZORES NATURA, which has a budget of over €19 million for investment in the protection and recovery of areas within the Natura 2000 Network. It also includes wetlands classified as Ramsar Sites in the Azores." The government official recalled that "this heritage is as valuable as it is sensitive and fragile. As such, it is important to ensure its protection and conservation through an integrated and multidisciplinary approach, seeking a balance between human beings and natural ecosystems, a mission in which nature rangers play a key role." On National Nature Ranger Day, Alonso Miguel took the opportunity “to pay tribute to the key role played by these professionals in preserving nature, protecting natural resources, as well as monitoring, supervising, and raising environmental awareness across all islands.” “Nature rangers are at the forefront when it comes to defending the environmental quality and unique natural heritage of the Azores, providing an invaluable contribution to the sustainable development of our islands.” Alonso Miguel recalled that "the Regional Government has been consistently increasing the human and operational resources allocated to nature rangers." In this regard, he highlighted the recently launched procedure to hire another 12 nature rangers, as well as the substantial investment in vehicles, inflatable boats, machinery, drones, uniforms and technical equipment for these professionals. This represents an overall investment surpassing €1 million, complemented by the provision of in-depth specialised training." He concluded: “These investments lead to better monitoring, inspection, and intervention on the ground, closer ties with the population, and better conditions to protect our natural resources, demonstrating the Regional Government's strong commitment to protecting the environment and sustainable development in the Region.”
February 3, 2026
Alonso Miguel highlights key role of nature rangers in environmental preservation and nature conservation
The Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Action, Alonso Miguel, took part in an educational birdwatching session with an interpretive trail in Paul da Pedreira, held on Monday on the island of Terceira, as part of the celebrations for World Wetlands Day and National Nature Ranger Day. Promoted by nature rangers, the initiative involved 20 preschool children from the "O Gu e a Tita" kindergarten in Praia da Vitória. It aimed to reinforce the importance of preserving wetlands and raise awareness of the important role of nature rangers. The initiative was part of a wide-ranging programme of environmental education and awareness-raising activities to be carried out across the Azores islands between January 21 and February 5. "With a view to marking these important events, the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action prepared a wide range of educational and environmental awareness activities, including lectures, field trips and visits to environmental centres, clean-up actions in public spaces and ecological restoration activities, interpretive trails and bird watching in wetlands. They are aimed at children and young people from different levels of education and the general public, with the indispensable participation of our Nature Rangers, in conjunction with the Environmental and Climate Action Services of the nine islands," stated the government official. Alonso Miguel emphasised that “wetlands are ecosystems of high ecological, environmental, landscape and social value, providing ecosystem services that are fundamental to the safety and well-being of populations, namely in terms of regulating the water cycle, protecting biodiversity, recharging aquifers and mitigating climate change effects." "As true biodiversity hotspots, wetlands are also prime locations for bird watching, an activity that is growing in popularity in the Azores and, as such, is an important tourist asset with economic relevance," he added. The Regional Secretary also pointed out that "the Azores have 13 wetlands classified as being of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, covering around 13,000 hectares." He added that "the Regional Government has been developing various structural nature conservation projects, with emphasis on LIFE projects, namely LIFE IP AZORES NATURA, which has a budget of over €19 million for investment in the protection and recovery of areas within the Natura 2000 Network. It also includes wetlands classified as Ramsar Sites in the Azores." The government official recalled that "this heritage is as valuable as it is sensitive and fragile. As such, it is important to ensure its protection and conservation through an integrated and multidisciplinary approach, seeking a balance between human beings and natural ecosystems, a mission in which nature rangers play a key role." On National Nature Ranger Day, Alonso Miguel took the opportunity “to pay tribute to the key role played by these professionals in preserving nature, protecting natural resources, as well as monitoring, supervising, and raising environmental awareness across all islands.” “Nature rangers are at the forefront when it comes to defending the environmental quality and unique natural heritage of the Azores, providing an invaluable contribution to the sustainable development of our islands.” Alonso Miguel recalled that "the Regional Government has been consistently increasing the human and operational resources allocated to nature rangers." In this regard, he highlighted the recently launched procedure to hire another 12 nature rangers, as well as the substantial investment in vehicles, inflatable boats, machinery, drones, uniforms and technical equipment for these professionals. This represents an overall investment surpassing €1 million, complemented by the provision of in-depth specialised training." He concluded: “These investments lead to better monitoring, inspection, and intervention on the ground, closer ties with the population, and better conditions to protect our natural resources, demonstrating the Regional Government's strong commitment to protecting the environment and sustainable development in the Region.”
Nota de Imprensa
January 30, 2026
Alonso Miguel highlights importance of LIFE IP CLIMAZ project for climate adaptation and protection of people and property in the Azores
The Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Action, Alonso Miguel, accompanied the European Commission's monitoring visit, through CINEA, to the intervention areas covered by the LIFE IP CLIMAZ project on Terceira Island, between January 28 and 30. Coordinated by the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action, the LIFE IP CLIMAZ Project is a key element in the implementation of the Regional Climate Change Programme, with a budget of about €20 million, including 60% co-financed by the European Union, to be implemented between 2021 and 2030. Its associated beneficiaries include the Regional Directorates for the Environment and Climate Action, Forest Resources and Spatial Planning, Energy and Maritime Policy, the Horta and Vila Franca do Campo Municipal Councils, EDA and the Agricultural Union Cooperative. During his visit to the streams targeted for intervention on Terceira Island, the Regional Secretary revealed that "the project has already implemented a wide range of actions in Grota das 8, parish of Santa Bárbara, and in the ribeira do Testo and ribeira do Tapete streams, parish of Porto Judeu. They are focused on improving the ecological and hydraulic resilience of watercourses and promoting nature-based solutions to reduce vulnerability to flooding in the context of the climate change adaptation strategy.” Alonso Miguel explained that the work carried out included the removal and control of invasive species, the planting of endemic plants, the redevelopment of stream beds and banks, and the implementation of preventive land management measures. "A fence was installed along a 650-metre stretch of the ribeira do Testo stream to prevent cattle access and promote ecological recovery. In turn, the Grota das 8 was fitted with natural engineering infrastructure to stabilise the banks and reduce erosion," he added. The government official also revealed that “new interventions are planned on Terceira Island, namely in ribeira da Agualva stream, ribeira de Santo Antão – Casa da Ribeira stream, ribeira de São Bento – Grota dos Carlinhos stream and the ribeira das 12 stream, reinforcing a preventive and integrated approach to sustainable management of water resources.” Across the archipelago, the LIFE IP CLIMAZ project is working on 18 streams spread across seven islands, with several sections already completed, where around 35,000 endemic specimens have been planted, covering a distance of more than nine kilometres. This represents an integrated effort to increase community resilience, protect people and property, and promote nature-based solutions to the challenges posed by climate change. The monitoring team also visited the intervention areas of the Native Species Forest Nursery in the parish of São Brás, Praia da Vitória. The technical visits also covered the areas of conversion from pasture to native forest as well as the areas of conversion from existing forest to non-productive native forest, whose implementation is the responsibility of the Regional Directorate for Forest Resources and Spatial Planning, an associated beneficiary of the project. During the European Commission's monitoring visit, a series of actions already implemented by the LIFE IP CLIMAZ project between 2021 and 2025 were also highlighted. They encompassed key areas of climate change adaptation and mitigation, namely the improvement of hydrometeorological and natural risk monitoring and the approval of strategic instruments, such as the Azores Flood and Drought Risk Management Plans, as well as the progress of the revision of the Regional Programme for Climate Change," emphasised Alonso Miguel. The Regional Secretary also noted that "the project has also boosted mobility and energy efficiency. This has been achieved with the expansion of the electric charging network, the acquisition of electric vehicles and pilot decarbonisation projects, along with relevant interventions in ecological recovery, sustainable agriculture, coastal protection, technical training and public awareness, boosting the resilience of the Autonomous Region of the Azores against climate change impacts." Alonso Miguel highlighted the project's commitment to sustainable mobility, with the recent acquisition of nine electric pick-up vehicles to reinforce the operational fleet of the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action and support the implementation of actions in the field, while contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions associated with the operational activity of this public body. According to the government official, this is "an investment of over €730,000, carried out as part of a pilot project to promote the decarbonisation of regional public administration transport. The project is integrated and co-financed by the LIFE IP CLIMAZ Project, in an unprecedented move to provide electric vehicles of this kind to the Environment and Climate Action Services of the nine islands. It is also another important step in the decarbonisation of the regional vehicle fleet, with sustainable technological solutions capable of responding to high operational demands." The Regional Secretary also emphasised the strategic importance of LIFE IP CLIMAZ in the context of the ongoing revision of the Azores Regional Climate Change Plan, noting that "the experience and results achieved in the field are decisively contributing to the improvement of regional public policies on climate adaptation and mitigation." Alonso Miguel concluded by highlighting that "the European Commission's monitoring visit highlighted the progress achieved, the solid technical implementation of the actions and the alignment of the project with regional, national and European strategic climate goals. As such, these efforts have strengthened technical and institutional capabilities, preparing the Region for a more effective response to climate change impacts."
January 30, 2026
Alonso Miguel highlights importance of LIFE IP CLIMAZ project for climate adaptation and protection of people and property in the Azores
The Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Action, Alonso Miguel, accompanied the European Commission's monitoring visit, through CINEA, to the intervention areas covered by the LIFE IP CLIMAZ project on Terceira Island, between January 28 and 30. Coordinated by the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action, the LIFE IP CLIMAZ Project is a key element in the implementation of the Regional Climate Change Programme, with a budget of about €20 million, including 60% co-financed by the European Union, to be implemented between 2021 and 2030. Its associated beneficiaries include the Regional Directorates for the Environment and Climate Action, Forest Resources and Spatial Planning, Energy and Maritime Policy, the Horta and Vila Franca do Campo Municipal Councils, EDA and the Agricultural Union Cooperative. During his visit to the streams targeted for intervention on Terceira Island, the Regional Secretary revealed that "the project has already implemented a wide range of actions in Grota das 8, parish of Santa Bárbara, and in the ribeira do Testo and ribeira do Tapete streams, parish of Porto Judeu. They are focused on improving the ecological and hydraulic resilience of watercourses and promoting nature-based solutions to reduce vulnerability to flooding in the context of the climate change adaptation strategy.” Alonso Miguel explained that the work carried out included the removal and control of invasive species, the planting of endemic plants, the redevelopment of stream beds and banks, and the implementation of preventive land management measures. "A fence was installed along a 650-metre stretch of the ribeira do Testo stream to prevent cattle access and promote ecological recovery. In turn, the Grota das 8 was fitted with natural engineering infrastructure to stabilise the banks and reduce erosion," he added. The government official also revealed that “new interventions are planned on Terceira Island, namely in ribeira da Agualva stream, ribeira de Santo Antão – Casa da Ribeira stream, ribeira de São Bento – Grota dos Carlinhos stream and the ribeira das 12 stream, reinforcing a preventive and integrated approach to sustainable management of water resources.” Across the archipelago, the LIFE IP CLIMAZ project is working on 18 streams spread across seven islands, with several sections already completed, where around 35,000 endemic specimens have been planted, covering a distance of more than nine kilometres. This represents an integrated effort to increase community resilience, protect people and property, and promote nature-based solutions to the challenges posed by climate change. The monitoring team also visited the intervention areas of the Native Species Forest Nursery in the parish of São Brás, Praia da Vitória. The technical visits also covered the areas of conversion from pasture to native forest as well as the areas of conversion from existing forest to non-productive native forest, whose implementation is the responsibility of the Regional Directorate for Forest Resources and Spatial Planning, an associated beneficiary of the project. During the European Commission's monitoring visit, a series of actions already implemented by the LIFE IP CLIMAZ project between 2021 and 2025 were also highlighted. They encompassed key areas of climate change adaptation and mitigation, namely the improvement of hydrometeorological and natural risk monitoring and the approval of strategic instruments, such as the Azores Flood and Drought Risk Management Plans, as well as the progress of the revision of the Regional Programme for Climate Change," emphasised Alonso Miguel. The Regional Secretary also noted that "the project has also boosted mobility and energy efficiency. This has been achieved with the expansion of the electric charging network, the acquisition of electric vehicles and pilot decarbonisation projects, along with relevant interventions in ecological recovery, sustainable agriculture, coastal protection, technical training and public awareness, boosting the resilience of the Autonomous Region of the Azores against climate change impacts." Alonso Miguel highlighted the project's commitment to sustainable mobility, with the recent acquisition of nine electric pick-up vehicles to reinforce the operational fleet of the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action and support the implementation of actions in the field, while contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions associated with the operational activity of this public body. According to the government official, this is "an investment of over €730,000, carried out as part of a pilot project to promote the decarbonisation of regional public administration transport. The project is integrated and co-financed by the LIFE IP CLIMAZ Project, in an unprecedented move to provide electric vehicles of this kind to the Environment and Climate Action Services of the nine islands. It is also another important step in the decarbonisation of the regional vehicle fleet, with sustainable technological solutions capable of responding to high operational demands." The Regional Secretary also emphasised the strategic importance of LIFE IP CLIMAZ in the context of the ongoing revision of the Azores Regional Climate Change Plan, noting that "the experience and results achieved in the field are decisively contributing to the improvement of regional public policies on climate adaptation and mitigation." Alonso Miguel concluded by highlighting that "the European Commission's monitoring visit highlighted the progress achieved, the solid technical implementation of the actions and the alignment of the project with regional, national and European strategic climate goals. As such, these efforts have strengthened technical and institutional capabilities, preparing the Region for a more effective response to climate change impacts."