Residential Camp
A camp for regeneration agents
The Ecosystem Regeneration Camp (ERC) is an immersive learning, action and networking experience to disseminate, develop and put into practice seasonal knowledge of agroforestry and ecological regeneration. People from diverse backgrounds come together to act as regeneration agents for 7 days in a residential camp in the Lama Valley. Our aim is to reach as many eco-social initiatives and individuals as possible who are willing to join this opportunity and share ways of bringing other Ecosystem Regeneration Camps to life.
The program is taught in Portuguese and English, and the price is based on a donation model. See below for more information.
* Registration for the March 2025 program will be available in January 2025.
This course is presented by the following partners:
The Ecosystem Regeneration Camp empowers participants to become agents of change in the fight against ecosystem collapse
Residential Camp - March 24th to 30th, 2025
Topic of the day
Various topics will be presented to nurture participants' knowledge
Day 1
Regenerative agroforestry
- Introduction to regenerative agroforestry
- Guided tour of various examples of regenerative agroforestry
Day 2
Alley Cropping Agroforestry
- Food sovereignty in productive agroforestry systems
Day 3
Syntropic agroforestry
- Ecological succession and the design of syntropic agroforestry systems
- Increasing the productivity of an existing syntropic system
- Planting a new area of syntropic agroforestry
Day 4
Wood pastures and fodder
- Why and how to manage a wood pasture and forage banks as a complement to holistic rotational grazing in the semi-arid region.
Day 5
Healthy soils and I.M.O. (indigenous microorganisms)
- Introduction to soil science. Healthy soils, what makes and keeps them healthy. Living soils
- Making biofertilizer from indigenous microorganisms
Day 6
Semi-arid forest
- Regeneration of Mediterranean (semi-arid) coastal ecosystems
- Micro-water harvesting and reforestation techniques for regeneration in the semi-arid region
Day 7
Closing
- How to support the regeneration movement
- Next steps and evaluation
Main practical project
Drought-resistant windbreak and water harvest system in a semi-arid environment.
Each ERC features an ongoing project which participants work on collaboratively during the course of the program. This project takes place on the farm and is designed to directly apply learning and skills in a practical and real way, producing tangible results in the field.
Pattern of the day
May change
9:00 - Morning circle
9:30 - Topic of the day (theoretical moment)
11:00 - Interval
11:30 - Practical tutorial
13:00 - Lunch (included)
14:30 - Application of learning
18:00 - Community contributions
20:00 - Dinner (included)
21:00 - Evening activities
Important details
For whom?
This experiential learning opportunity is offered to anyone interested in learning about and continuing the work of regenerating ecosystems in their home and/or work context.
We hope to reach individuals with experience in environmental and social activism with the intention of using the skills acquired in the field to increase their regenerative impact in actions in their contexts.
This program is for people over 18.
Dates
Camp dates:
March 24-30, 2025
Arrival:
March 23, 2025
Registration deadline:
Ends March 10, 2025
Languages
Portuguese and English
Prices
By donation
(Read more below and find out how to contribute)
What to bring?
To ensure your comfort and safety, bring it with you:
- Outdoor clothing (boots, hat, waterproof jacket)
- Work gloves
- Water bottle and/or personal mug
Learning
By the end of the week you will be able to:
- Apply ecosystem regeneration methods and techniques
- Mimick natural processes
- Use appropriate tools
- Participate in a network of learning, support and action
Camping & Facilities
Campo do Vale at Quinta Vale da Lama
Participants will have access to on-site camping facilities, including shaded tent sites, showers, toilets, a cafeteria and recreational areas. Some camping materials can be provided; please indicate your needs on the registration form.
1 Workshop area
2 Multi-purpose kitchen
3 - Bathrooms and showers
4 - Outdoor meeting area and camping area
5 - Versatile indoor pavilion
General photos
Facilitation team
Hugo Oliveira
Orla Design
Landscape Ecologist and Permaculturist. Co-founder and Regenerative Design Consultant at OrlaDesign. Researcher at the Center for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Change (Uni. Lisboa). Master's in Ecological Design Thinking at Schumacher College. Completing his PhD in Interdisciplinary Landscape Management at Uni. Évora. Actively working with Permaculture as a designer, educator and researcher since 2006 in Europe, Asia and Australia. At Vale da Lama he is a consultant in the creation of landscape regeneration strategies for the semi-arid Mediterranean, focusing on Agroforestry as the main regeneration tool.
Patrícia Pereira
Novas Descobertas Association
Dedicated to creating experiences that enhance the connection to nature as the main resource in outdoor learning contexts for all ages. She has been organizing courses and camps for regeneration and learning for several years, including the ERC (Ecosystem Regeneration Camps) in the Lama Valley. She is motivated to share methods and tools for participatory learning, community building, group facilitation and regenerative group activities.
Quinta Vale da Lama
43 hectares - Connecting people of all ages to nature
Thousands of trees have been carefully planted, complemented by the installation of water collection systems to reinforce their growth.
Soil fertility receives special attention and is continually enriched through the incorporation of indigenous microorganisms, compost, bokashi, earthworms, mulch and other natural soil improvers.
An on-site soil laboratory helps monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of these interventions. In addition, a small group of sheep, two donkeys and a handful of chickens are strategically rotated on various plots, adhering to a holistic grazing plan designed to optimize the health of the land. In addition, the creation of five temporary Mediterranean ponds serves to promote biodiversity.
How can I contribute?
We offer these camps on a regular basis, motivated to enhance the regeneration of the ecosystem and to share tools on how to do this. In order to make this accessible to everyone, the camps run on a donation basis.
The cost of running this camp, including food, materials, staff training, organization and communication, as well as infrastructure, is around €160 per person. If you support it in this way, you will ensure that this opportunity reaches more people.
Please support in any way you can:
- Make a donation!
- Bring tools to use (gloves, pruning shears, gardener's spoon, etc.);
- Bring fresh vegetables, herbs for tea, homemade bread and your best jams and preserves - the Novas Descobertas Association team will make lunch including your contributions;
- Become a member of Novas Descobertas Association on arrival;
- Spread the word! Spread the word about this camp and our activities.
Details for making a monetary donation to the Novas Descobertas Association
- Make a donation via MBWAY: Use your cell phone or banking app to make a donation using the phone number: 967620397
- Make a donation by direct bank transfer: Our bank details are: Caixa de Crédito Agrícola IBAN: PT50 0045 7194 4015 2135 17136, BIC/SWIFT: CCCMPTPL
Note: To obtain an invoice for your donation, send us an email to programas@projectonovasdescobertas.org indicating your full name, NIF number, the donation you made and the method of donation.
Do you have any questions?
Send your question to: programas@projectonovasdescobertas.org
+351 927 679 590 (Call to the national mobile network)
Registration for this program will be available in January 2025
English 
Português