Non-residential course
A program for regeneration agents in the western Algarve
Ecosystem Regeneration Mondays presents our well-known Ecosystem Regeneration Camp in a format that allows easier access for locals and visitors who can't participate in the week-long residential program. This experience takes place over five consecutive Mondays in November and early December at Quinta Vale da Lama.
Ecosystem Regeneration Mondays is a learning, action and networking course to disseminate, develop and put into practice seasonal knowledge of agroforestry and ecological regeneration. People from diverse backgrounds come together to continue their development as agents of regeneration.
The program is taught in Portuguese and English, and the price is based on a donation model. See below for more information.
This course is presented by the following partners:
The Ecosystem Regeneration Mondays program empowers participants to become agents of change in the fight against ecosystem collapse.
Non-Residential Course - Nov 4, 11, 18, 25 & Dec 2
Topic of the day
Various topics will be presented to nurture participants' knowledge
Day 1 - November 4th
Regenerative agroforestry
- Introduction to regenerative agroforestry
- Guided tour of various examples of regenerative agroforestry
Day 2 - November 11th
Alley Cropping Agroforestry
- Food sovereignty in productive agroforestry systems
Day 3 - November 18th
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 - November 25th
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 - December 2nd
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
Note:
It is possible to participate on specific days of interest, but priority will be given to those willing to participate on all 5 days.
Main practical project
Integration of alley cropping agroforestry in an irrigated market garden.
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
17:30 - Closing
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
Program dates:
November 4, 11, 18, 25 and December 2, 2024
Arrival:
Not applicable. This program is aimed at participants who live or are staying locally.
Application deadline:
Ends October 25, 2024
We also offer a one-week residential program from November 4 to 10, 2024. Click here to find out more about our Ecosystem Regeneration Camp.
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
Facilities
Campo do Vale at Quinta Vale da Lama
Participants will have access to on-site camping facilities, including showers, toilets, a cafeteria and recreational areas.
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 €85 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 is now closed