Madeira Nature EN

Reinforced support to Laurissilva and Freira do Bugio

2007-04-03T10:12:00.000+01:00

It has been approved in Brussels, a reinforcement of 785 million euros for the project LIFE. This project’s goal is the preservation of the threatened species and the richest habitats in Europe, in which the project Life Freira do Bugio is included as well as the project for the preservation of sea-wolf and the Laurissilva.

Madeira island will probably be one of the regions that will benefit most from these supports, due to the amount of projects being developed within the program LIFE.

Source: DN online March 30, 2007

Operation “Clean Sea”

2007-03-28T10:52:00.000+01:00

Following what has happened last year, another Operation “Clean Sea” will take place in the Natural Reserve of the Desertas Islands on April 22^nd .

In the International Earth Day, a group of divers will collect the garbage in the Desertas Islands. Also, in the city of Santa Cruz - Madeira, a group of mountain climbers will join the students of the schools of Santa Cruz, to clean the edges of the two rivers of Santa Cruz. This environment cleaning process will also enable the practice of a radical sport – scaling.

After garbage collection, a selection and separation of residuals will be made.

This is an initiative of The Natural Park of Madeira, the Santa Cruz City Hall, the Capitania of Funchal Port and of the several diving centers existing in the island.

Source: Jornal da Madeira – February 16, 2007-04-12

International Bird Day

2007-03-28T10:39:00.000+01:00

In order to celebrate the International Bird Day and promote at the same time Birdwatching among people, the “Ventura do Mar” and the Portuguese Society for the Study of the Birds (SPEA) will organize a boat excursion on Sunday, April 1^st. Everyone registered will be able to watch the seabirds and all the involving nature.

Registrations are already open and are available until March 28, at the following contacts:

Tel.: (+351) 291 241 210 (+351) 967 232 195

E-mail: madeira@spea.pt or venturadomar@iol.pt

Forest area has increased 6% in the Region

2007-03-27T12:38:00.000+01:00

After the commemorations of the International Tree Day, the Autonomous Region of Madeira defines strategies to prevent risks as fires, climatic alterations, plagues, illnesses and invaders.

The Plan intends to go beyond what was defined in the National Strategy of the Forests (ENF), approved by the Cabinet on the 17 of August 2006. The most important steps, in this plan, are the prevention of the erosion of the land and the regulation of the hydraulic regimen. This because, without the existing efficient covered vegetal area, the rocky risks of haul of soil masses and materials would be enormous, leading to catastrophes.

The Regional Strategy of the Forests counts on several other objectives, namely to create instruments of support to the order and management of the forest , to promote the expansion and regeneration of the patrimony, to preserve the ecosystems, to develop the organized breeding sheep, to explore and to preserve the synergetic and aquaculture resources in internal waters, to develop the scientific inquiry in the domains of fauna and flora, to develop the ecotourism and to improve the administrative and technician support installations.

This project gives continuity to the 121 projects of reforesting ; to the 2,512 hectares of forest area and to the 5.727.636 trees that, throughout these 32 years, increased the forest area in 6%.

Just Remember that this goal strategy is the preservation of Laurissilva, classified by UNESCO as Natural Patrimony of the Mankind, because Laurissilva constitutes a pillar for the regional economy that is based mainly in the tourism.

Source: www.dnoticias.pt - March 26, 2007

Sea-wolves in growth

2007-03-23T11:37:00.000Z

Although in the last year we have had only a successful birth, the colony of sea-wolves of Madeira is the only one that has come to grow in the last five years. An it is expected that the colony comes to grow again, as March is one month where the males try to couple. The period of gestation is of about 9 months. The baby sea-wolves are born in land and then go by a period of breast-feeding that may reach the 120 days.
Currently, these species are at risk, existing only about 500 exemplars spread throughout the Mediterranean, Black Sea and Atlantic Ocean, namely in the northwest cost of Africa and in Madeira. The colony in Madeira is constituted at this moment of sea-wolves - Lobos Marinhos - (designation used solely in the Region), being already many of them identified, as the Desertinha, the Birisca, the Risca Grande, the Esbranquiçado, the Macho of the Bugio and the Loma.
The preservation of this species is, since 1988, in charge of the Natural Park of Madeira with the patrol of a small boat throughout the islands and by the direct watch of the sea-wolves.

Source: http://www.dnoticias.pt/ – March 22, 2007

Friends of the Park help to reforest Madeira

2007-03-22T11:54:00.000Z

On March 17, some of the members of the Associação Amigos do Parque Ecológico do Funchal (Association of Friends of the Ecological Park of Funchal) contributed, once again, to the reforesting of Madeira Island. The destinations were the Cabeceira of the Ribeira de Santa Luzia and the Montanha do Cabeço. In spite of the cold weather (about 10ºc), the objective was fulfilled - to plant 600 indigenous and endemic trees and shrubs.
The Regional Direction of the Forests supplied 2,000 plants to this effect, which would be planted during the last week and until yesterday, the Tree Day, by the Association of Friends of the Park. This project of reforesting, which started in 2001, aims to guarantee the future of the indigenous and endemic species of the region. Raimundo Quintal was satisfied with the results achieved during these last years, referring that this initiative is to prevent Madeira “from being another desert” and so that Madeira continues “with the same beauty that had before fires…”

Source: http://www.dnoticias.pt/ – March 18, 2007

Desertinha returns

2007-03-22T11:46:00.000Z

After 10 months, the Desertinha returned to Desertas islands. The last time she was seen - next to the south coast of Madeira - looked like to be wounded and probably for this reason remained in the same area until now.
Desertinha was the first monachus monachus to be identified by the Natural Park of Madeira and is the oldest Mediterranean Monk Seal of the colony of Desertas Islands. It is therefore of great importance for the responsible biologists for the preservation of the colony, that counts, currently, with about 30 adult Mediterranean Monk Seals.
Rosa Pires, biologist of the Natural Park of Madeira (PNM), reported that this is the time of coupling for the Mediterranean Monk Seals in the Desertas Islands, and Desertinha may have returned to couple. This is an important factor, in the colony, as last year there was only a successful birth.

Source: http://www.dnoticias.pt/ – March 21, 2007

The Mantas in Madeira

2007-03-20T12:05:00.000Z

The involved volunteers in the second campaign of quantification and study of habitats of the existing Mantas in Madeira are about 40, an initiative of the regional delegation of the Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds - SPEA (http://www.spea.pt). After the quantification of specimens, in one second phase, the analysis of the evolution of the population of these birds of prey will be followed.
Isabel Fagundes, responsible for the SPEA in Madeira, explained to Diário de Notícias that the inventory of the number of Mantas is made through registration cards, where the volunteers register the birds that they watch (by foot, bicycle or car) on areas previously marked. All the collected data is later treated statistically, in order to estimate which is the existing population of Mantas in the whole island. This project comes to fill the lack of studies related with the evolution of the population of this species in the region.

Source: Diário de Notícias – March 18, 2007

Diving Packages in the Dom Pedro Hotel Group

2007-03-13T12:23:00.000Z

Dom Pedro Hotels in association with the Diving Center of Madeira, offer to their customers several diving packages in the coast of Machico. These offers are valid for APA bookings, until 31st of December 2007, in the Dom Pedro Baía Club.
Packages description:
3 nights: includes 5 divings (a boat trip - two times to the Reserve of the Garajau; and two exits to the coast - Caniçal, Reis Magos, Three Marias). Price per person in double room- since 240€;
7 nights: incudes 7 divings (a boat trip - two times to the Reserve of the Garajau; and four exits to the coast - Caniçal, Reis Magos, Three Marias). Price per person in double room - since 365€.
The package includes transport, bottles and lastro. It does not include full diving equipment (95€ per person).
Any package requires a minimum number of 4 divers.

Source: Presstur

Recuperation of pedestrian courses

2007-02-01T14:41:00.000Z

On January 29th the recuperation works of 2 of the 18 pedestrian courses has been inaugurated with an expected requalification until the end of August this year.
The two inaugurated courses are Levada do Rei (Quebradas – Ribeiro Bonito) and Levada of Caldeirão Verde (Queimadas – Caldeirão Verde).
This project, which had the support of the European Union, intends to guarantee more safety and comfort to the enthusiasts of this activity which has everyday more adepts among the visitors of Madeira Island.

Source: Diário de Notícias da Madeira – January 30, 2007

New boats to control the sea and the sea species of the Archipelago

2006-12-22T12:15:00.000Z

The Fiscal Brigade of the National Republican Guard (GNR) of Madeira will have a new fast motor-boat with a specialized crew, to complement the surveillance around the island. This will be an additional mechanism of intervention, for possible aid missions.
Starting next year, it is expected a new motor-boat , also with a specialized crew to observe cetaceans – whales, cachalots and dolphins.
This is another contribution to the control and promotion of the Madeira sea.

Source: Diário de Notícias da Madeira - December 21, 2006

CARBON ZERO

2006-12-20T12:11:00.000Z

This Christmas, Madeira Nature suggests that you offer an alternative gift: a day of null effect on the climate.
This is a proposal Carbon Zero, the Portuguese version of a worldwide project which allows, to everyone of us, to quantify our CO2 emissions and compensate them with a sponsorship of measures which reduce or avoid equivalent emissions.
The idea, simple and original, contributes to the growing of forests all around the world and to the development of environment-friendly technologies. To participate, it is enough to calculate the CO2 emission associated to a certain activity (for instance, the one we produce everyday or on a journey) and, afterwards to sponsor, in the Carbon Zero shop, the development of part of a forest in order to compensate these emissions. At the end, we recieve a certificate, in the name of the person we wish offer it. And why not offer one to yourself?

THE NATURAL PARK OF MADEIRA PRESENTS PROJECTS FOR JANUARY

2006-12-13T11:53:00.000Z

Several initiatives for the maintenance of species and sea habitats in the Region will be presented to the public in a symposium taking place in Funchal, on the 12th and 13th of January. Among the projects to be presented, we can highlight: “SOS Freira of the Bugio”, “Life – Sea IBAs ”, “Life Freira of Madeira” and “Plan of Maintenance PostLife”.
This is another initiative of the responsibility of the Natural Park of Madeira, which has the support of the Portuguese Society for the Study of the Birds (SPEA). On the first day of the Symposium, the various informative sessions will begin with these and other projects. This symposium will take place in the auditorium of the Madeira Magic. On the 13th, a direct contact with the mentioned species and habitats will be available, with excursions to the countryside and to the sea. This initiative is open to all the interested persons and you just need a prior registration until January 5th. To register and ask for informations, you must call the phone number 291.795155 or send an e-mail to cispnm@netmadeira.com.

Source: Diário de Notícias da Madeira – Funchal, December 13, 2006

Ornithologist at the “Gavião”

2006-12-13T11:50:00.000Z

The “Gavião”, the boat which organizes tourist tours for nature observation, will have as part of its crew an ornithologist. This initiative is the result of a cooperation protocol with SPEA and intends to contribute to the study of the frequent birds in the coast of Madeira, as well as to reinforce the quality of information given to the tourists during the tours.

Source: Diário de Notícias da Madeira – Funchal, December 13, 2006

Pestana Village and Pestana Miramar win the environment award given by TUI

2006-11-21T11:47:00.000Z

Once again, two of Group Pestana hotels situated in Funchal – Village and Miramar – won the Award “TUI Umwelt Champions”, which proves that these hotel units are among the best partners of Tui in what concerns the use of adequate policies for the preservation of the environment and nature. The environment certificate has been delivered to Rita Vasconcelos, manager of the Pestana Village and Miramar, by the representative of Tui in Madeira, Kerstin Wichehaus.

INCREASE IN TEMPERATURE THREATENS ZINOS PETREL IN MADEIRA

2006-11-21T11:34:00.000Z

The increase in the production of gases means a heater effect to the atmosphere, provoking a negative impact on the high habitats. Due to this situation, we can foresee that some of these habitats and – consequently – some of species living there may be extinguished until the end of the century.

According to the study made to evaluate the susceptibility of the Archipelago of Madeira to the Global Climate Alterations, in the context of CLIMAAT II, financed by the Union Community program INTERREG III-B, the Zinos Petrel, Pterodroma Madeira, is within this conjuncture the more menaced sea bird . The climate alterations which create a negative effect on the flora and fauna species associated to the high habitats are the same that, by contrast, are favourable to the establishment of the vegetal group of plants forming Laurissilva, in areas which before were covered with high mountain flora. This study, organized by the Regional Environment Bureau, it is important for us to understand the impact which the progressive increase on the annual average temperature may have in regions such vulnerable as the Archipelago of Madeira, as well as to direct the plans undertaken for the preservation of the affected species.

Source: Diário de Notícias da Madeira – Funchal, November 20, 2006