European Rewilding Network
Cascais Rewilding
Nature tourism, local communities and herbivore reintroductions
The management area of about 2300 ha, due to its geomorphological characteristics, comprises two bioregions, the Atlantic and the Mediterranean.
Cascais Rewilding
The introduction of herbivory with key species will naturally shape the landscape and in the long term reach a balance, providing opportunities for education and environmental awareness for who visit the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park.
Cascais Rewilding
Six Sorraias semi feral horses, (only 200 are left in Portugal), 15 Miranda donkeys and six roe deer, all native species, were introduced in a process of rewilding increasing the complexity and diversity of functional fauna.
Cascais Rewilding
Six Garranos semi feral horses (only 1200 are left in Portugal) were introduced in the mountains of Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, Cascais municipality, at 500 m altitude, an Atlantic bioregional area, to restore the ecosystem balance and manage the scrub land in an area of 60ha.
Cascais Rewilding
This diversity of habitat and species is only possible due to the combination of the proximity of the sea and the mountains, in a landscape mosaic of great conservation value.
Cascais Rewilding
The mesocarnivore community includes fox (Vulpes vulpes), least weasel (Mustela nivalis), badger (Meles meles), genet (Genetta genetta) and Egyptian mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon).
Cascais Rewilding
Cascais Rewilding is part of the Sintra-Cascais Park. In 2008, it was transformed from an abandoned agricultural land into an attractive park, as well as a working farm. Ecological restoration focuses on the historical legacy of this rural landscape and includes natural grazing. Nature based tourism and production of local products is part of the project.
This area is strongly influenced by people, whether in the presence of villages or roads that in some way fragment the territory. As it is a peri-urban area, human pressure is strong, particularly in activities and adventure sports that cause some disturbance. With the abandonment of agriculture in the 60’s and the introduction of exotic species to “contain” the advance of the dunes, the territory became vulnerable to wildfires and the proliferation of exotic invasive species, in particular species that are favored by the cycle of wildfires (ex.: Acacia spp.). A significant part of this landscape reflects, in terms of floristic diversity, a “natural” selection promoted by the cycle of 4 to 6 years wildfires that benefit plants with reproduction characteristics to the detriment of seminal plants.
The recovery of the ecosystem balance and natural dynamics is crucial for the management of the territory in a sustainable and perpetual way. For this, the introduction of herbivory with key species will naturally shape the landscape and in the long term reach a balance, providing opportunities for education and environmental awareness for who visit the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, but also safe for who live in the region, as well as the opportunity to enhance economic and social dynamics that promote recognition of the added value of living in a territory where population cohabits with wildlife.
Project:
Cascais Rewilding
Region:
Alcabideche
Type of protection:
Natura 2000 Network / Natural Park Sintra-Cascais
Keystone species:
European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
Fauna (mega) species present:
Carnivorous animals: Fox (Vulpes vulpes), Weasel (Mustela nivalis), Stone Marten (Martes foina), European Badger (Meles meles), Common Genet (Genetta genetta), Egyptian mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon)
Type of project:
Creating space for wilder nature, Fostering the development of nature based economies
Aim and vision:
• A living landscape where nature and human activities interact harmoniously, promoting and providing ecosystem services for the community and visitors.
• A place where nature re-establishes its natural dynamics and enhances nature tourism.
• Recover and restore the landscape vegetation and grazing mosaic, resilient to climate change pressures and impacts.
• Preservation and restoration of natural habitats and endemic species.
• Historical heritage recovery and preservation.
• A place where nature re-establishes its natural dynamics and enhances nature tourism.
• Recover and restore the landscape vegetation and grazing mosaic, resilient to climate change pressures and impacts.
• Preservation and restoration of natural habitats and endemic species.
• Historical heritage recovery and preservation.
To restore the natural ecosystems balance of Sintra mountain and Cascais coastal line, reintroducing functional fauna that will support the natural landscape management in the long term, promoting a more biodiverse and rich territory, compatibly with nature tourism, empowering local communities that will benefit with the wildlife and the attractive that naturally will bring new visitors. To showcase that nature and wildlife can live nearby us and we just need to understand, give space and respect, for our own benefit.
Uniqueness of the project:
In the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, Cascais Rewilding, represents a semi-wild area where nature finds its way through the natural process of recovery, and where biological diversity gains a new dimension with endangered habitat/species being fully recovered and protected. People and nature are working together and helping each other to maintain a living landscape. The introduction of feral donkeys, wild horses, and roe deer contributed to a significant increase biological diversity and ecological functions. In consequence, reinforcing the nature tourism offer in Cascais, and thus contributing to the strengthening of the local economy.
Other activities:
Community involved, Eco tourism, Education, Other, Recreational activities, Research, Sale of sustainable products
Results you aim to accomplish in 10 years from now on:
We foresee a landscape mosaic of native forest species, natural grassland and scrub land, resilience to climate change pressures and impacts, particularly to wildfires, extreme weather events and pests and diseases, while preventing soil erosion, promoting the diversification of ecosystem services, and ensuring biodiversity and ecologic corridors by implementing natural grazing management with free herds of native Garranos and Sorraia wild horses, roe deer and semi feral Miranda donkeys. The Cascais rewilding area, will be recognized for its natural values and visited for nature and educational purposes, and it will be a national and international wide best practice case for land management in peri-urban areas. A nature tourism-based operation will allow visitors to visit specific site with a guide to learn about rewilding, the roll of free herds in the landscape and the ecosystem services provide by this animals.
Results so far:
A general survey of fauna and flora was developed, a base line assessment and a reference situation was established. This foresee the potential for habitat/species recovery, and objectives and actions were identified and are described in a Biodiversity Management Plan.
Two rewilding areas were established with free herds in a process of natural grazing. Peninha a 60-ha area combines Garranos wild horses and Miranda Donkeys to maintain the high-altitude pastures, reduce biomass, avoiding wildfires that usually occur in this area. In another area with 120 ha, Sorraias Wildhorse, Miranda Donkeys, and Roe deer were released through a mixed natural grazing process.
In 2021 we’ve concluded the eradication of fast-growing eucalyptus to allow natural regeneration of oak Portuguese forest, it took 5 years of gradual cutting to minimize fauna and flora impacts. A new forest of Portuguese oak (Quercus faginea) it´s prospering naturally helped the combination of wild herd and birds that help to spread the acorn.
In addition, we have been focused in managing and controlling alien invasive species, mainly flora but in the future also freshwater fauna. Two new lagoons were restored to allow habitat condition for birds but also to reptiles such Mediterranean pond turtle, Mauremys leprosaa (VU), and freshwater fish Iberochondrostoma lusitanicumnew (CR) and Squalius pyrenaicus (NT) that were reintroduced, a new pond will be restore in nest year.
We have gained support from the community and raised awareness about the project and its goals, resulting in increased number of visitors, as well as in nature activities, workshops.
Two rewilding areas were established with free herds in a process of natural grazing. Peninha a 60-ha area combines Garranos wild horses and Miranda Donkeys to maintain the high-altitude pastures, reduce biomass, avoiding wildfires that usually occur in this area. In another area with 120 ha, Sorraias Wildhorse, Miranda Donkeys, and Roe deer were released through a mixed natural grazing process.
In 2021 we’ve concluded the eradication of fast-growing eucalyptus to allow natural regeneration of oak Portuguese forest, it took 5 years of gradual cutting to minimize fauna and flora impacts. A new forest of Portuguese oak (Quercus faginea) it´s prospering naturally helped the combination of wild herd and birds that help to spread the acorn.
In addition, we have been focused in managing and controlling alien invasive species, mainly flora but in the future also freshwater fauna. Two new lagoons were restored to allow habitat condition for birds but also to reptiles such Mediterranean pond turtle, Mauremys leprosaa (VU), and freshwater fish Iberochondrostoma lusitanicumnew (CR) and Squalius pyrenaicus (NT) that were reintroduced, a new pond will be restore in nest year.
We have gained support from the community and raised awareness about the project and its goals, resulting in increased number of visitors, as well as in nature activities, workshops.
Inspirational value:
The project is a fine example of how to take up the challenge of an abandoned and vandalized landscape and recover its value by allowing nature and local grazing species to return. Being closely located near the capital city, gives urban visitors a sense of the historical and natural past. It also shows the case that wildlife has an active role in habitat management natural succession, and wildfire prevention, besides the educational and nature tourism proposes. For the local community and parc users the sense of belonging will grow, with direct impact in “close to nature” behaviors and more respect for wild animal free roaming in the area.
Experience you would like to share:
We started from scratch, working in a 380-ha, Quinta do Pisão, with no budget, no human recourses, and no detailed knowledge about the place. It was a step-by-step process in which we were always looking for a better solution that will enhance our work and community recognition.
To make this project a success we needed to gain control of the property, long time submitted to vandalism, this was our major obstacle. For 4 years we fought against illegal hunters, all-terrain vehicle drivers, illegal dumping, and other similar situations. Only after solving those problems, we could develop the project.
We started restabilizing this area's habitat connectivity and reintroduction of natural grazing with the farm animals like sheep, donkeys, and horses, reseeded pastures, planted native trees, and shrubs, and reactivated the landscape. Gradually we gain knowledge and confidence that allow us to push forward the project, which becomes more ambitious regarding the reintroduction of wild and semi-feral animals.
The community naturally started to come and look inside the park, asking for more information about the project. By then, we knew we got their attention. That was a small but very important achievement. People remembered how this land looked before and how it was managed, and they associated it with our work.
We want to re-establish the natural processes in Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, Cascais municipality, the introduction of wild animals is a great challenge, whoever the Quinta do Pisão success worked as a pilot, which helped to gain community recognition and political support.
With this experience and political support, we are expanding the area of rewilding, our main goal it’s to link the public and private land and create a greater area of about 2300 ha.
To make this project a success we needed to gain control of the property, long time submitted to vandalism, this was our major obstacle. For 4 years we fought against illegal hunters, all-terrain vehicle drivers, illegal dumping, and other similar situations. Only after solving those problems, we could develop the project.
We started restabilizing this area's habitat connectivity and reintroduction of natural grazing with the farm animals like sheep, donkeys, and horses, reseeded pastures, planted native trees, and shrubs, and reactivated the landscape. Gradually we gain knowledge and confidence that allow us to push forward the project, which becomes more ambitious regarding the reintroduction of wild and semi-feral animals.
The community naturally started to come and look inside the park, asking for more information about the project. By then, we knew we got their attention. That was a small but very important achievement. People remembered how this land looked before and how it was managed, and they associated it with our work.
We want to re-establish the natural processes in Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, Cascais municipality, the introduction of wild animals is a great challenge, whoever the Quinta do Pisão success worked as a pilot, which helped to gain community recognition and political support.
With this experience and political support, we are expanding the area of rewilding, our main goal it’s to link the public and private land and create a greater area of about 2300 ha.
Experience you would like to gain:
Considering the past 10/15 years of work, we know that we still have a long way to go. Our major concern is the impact of visitors to the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, Cascais municipality (SCNP-C), which we have monitoring. However, we certainly need to learn more about it and readjust the SCNP-C management to minimize negative impacts on wildlife. Since we have no experience in this issue, all the information and best-case studies are welcome. We also would like to gain more experience in fundraising activities, engaging the community, and communication strategies Other and more technical questions are about monitoring and surveys on herd impact in scrubland and particular habitats such as orchids and how to find the right balance to avoid overgrazing even if the herd runs freely in the landscape.
Country
Portugal
Start year
2008
Size (ha)
2300
Area type
Forest-grassland mosaic, Mediterranean vegetation, Mixed forests with heath and sandy areas, Mountainous
Natural process
Natural grazing
Flagship species
Feral Donkeys, Feral horses, Red deer, Roe deer
The management area of about 2300 ha, due to its geomorphological characteristics, comprises two bioregions, the Atlantic and the Mediterranean.
Cascais Rewilding
The introduction of herbivory with key species will naturally shape the landscape and in the long term reach a balance, providing opportunities for education and environmental awareness for who visit the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park.
Cascais Rewilding
Six Sorraias semi feral horses, (only 200 are left in Portugal), 15 Miranda donkeys and six roe deer, all native species, were introduced in a process of rewilding increasing the complexity and diversity of functional fauna.
Cascais Rewilding
Six Garranos semi feral horses (only 1200 are left in Portugal) were introduced in the mountains of Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, Cascais municipality, at 500 m altitude, an Atlantic bioregional area, to restore the ecosystem balance and manage the scrub land in an area of 60ha.
Cascais Rewilding
This diversity of habitat and species is only possible due to the combination of the proximity of the sea and the mountains, in a landscape mosaic of great conservation value.
Cascais Rewilding
The mesocarnivore community includes fox (Vulpes vulpes), least weasel (Mustela nivalis), badger (Meles meles), genet (Genetta genetta) and Egyptian mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon).
Cascais Rewilding
Cascais Rewilding is part of the Sintra-Cascais Park. In 2008, it was transformed from an abandoned agricultural land into an attractive park, as well as a working farm. Ecological restoration focuses on the historical legacy of this rural landscape and includes natural grazing. Nature based tourism and production of local products is part of the project.
This area is strongly influenced by people, whether in the presence of villages or roads that in some way fragment the territory. As it is a peri-urban area, human pressure is strong, particularly in activities and adventure sports that cause some disturbance. With the abandonment of agriculture in the 60’s and the introduction of exotic species to “contain” the advance of the dunes, the territory became vulnerable to wildfires and the proliferation of exotic invasive species, in particular species that are favored by the cycle of wildfires (ex.: Acacia spp.). A significant part of this landscape reflects, in terms of floristic diversity, a “natural” selection promoted by the cycle of 4 to 6 years wildfires that benefit plants with reproduction characteristics to the detriment of seminal plants.
The recovery of the ecosystem balance and natural dynamics is crucial for the management of the territory in a sustainable and perpetual way. For this, the introduction of herbivory with key species will naturally shape the landscape and in the long term reach a balance, providing opportunities for education and environmental awareness for who visit the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, but also safe for who live in the region, as well as the opportunity to enhance economic and social dynamics that promote recognition of the added value of living in a territory where population cohabits with wildlife.
Country
Portugal
Start year
2008
Size (ha)
2300
Area type
Forest-grassland mosaic, Mediterranean vegetation, Mixed forests with heath and sandy areas, Mountainous
Natural process
Natural grazing
Flagship species
Feral Donkeys, Feral horses, Red deer, Roe deer
Specification
Project:
Cascais Rewilding
Region:
Alcabideche
Type of protection:
Natura 2000 Network / Natural Park Sintra-Cascais
Keystone species:
European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
Fauna (mega) species present:
Carnivorous animals: Fox (Vulpes vulpes), Weasel (Mustela nivalis), Stone Marten (Martes foina), European Badger (Meles meles), Common Genet (Genetta genetta), Egyptian mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon)
Description
Type of project:
Creating space for wilder nature, Fostering the development of nature based economies
Aim and vision:
• A living landscape where nature and human activities interact harmoniously, promoting and providing ecosystem services for the community and visitors.
• A place where nature re-establishes its natural dynamics and enhances nature tourism.
• Recover and restore the landscape vegetation and grazing mosaic, resilient to climate change pressures and impacts.
• Preservation and restoration of natural habitats and endemic species.
• Historical heritage recovery and preservation.
• A place where nature re-establishes its natural dynamics and enhances nature tourism.
• Recover and restore the landscape vegetation and grazing mosaic, resilient to climate change pressures and impacts.
• Preservation and restoration of natural habitats and endemic species.
• Historical heritage recovery and preservation.
To restore the natural ecosystems balance of Sintra mountain and Cascais coastal line, reintroducing functional fauna that will support the natural landscape management in the long term, promoting a more biodiverse and rich territory, compatibly with nature tourism, empowering local communities that will benefit with the wildlife and the attractive that naturally will bring new visitors. To showcase that nature and wildlife can live nearby us and we just need to understand, give space and respect, for our own benefit.
Uniqueness of the project:
In the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, Cascais Rewilding, represents a semi-wild area where nature finds its way through the natural process of recovery, and where biological diversity gains a new dimension with endangered habitat/species being fully recovered and protected. People and nature are working together and helping each other to maintain a living landscape. The introduction of feral donkeys, wild horses, and roe deer contributed to a significant increase biological diversity and ecological functions. In consequence, reinforcing the nature tourism offer in Cascais, and thus contributing to the strengthening of the local economy.
Other activities:
Community involved, Eco tourism, Education, Other, Recreational activities, Research, Sale of sustainable products
Achievements
Results you aim to accomplish in 10 years from now on:
We foresee a landscape mosaic of native forest species, natural grassland and scrub land, resilience to climate change pressures and impacts, particularly to wildfires, extreme weather events and pests and diseases, while preventing soil erosion, promoting the diversification of ecosystem services, and ensuring biodiversity and ecologic corridors by implementing natural grazing management with free herds of native Garranos and Sorraia wild horses, roe deer and semi feral Miranda donkeys. The Cascais rewilding area, will be recognized for its natural values and visited for nature and educational purposes, and it will be a national and international wide best practice case for land management in peri-urban areas. A nature tourism-based operation will allow visitors to visit specific site with a guide to learn about rewilding, the roll of free herds in the landscape and the ecosystem services provide by this animals.
Results so far:
A general survey of fauna and flora was developed, a base line assessment and a reference situation was established. This foresee the potential for habitat/species recovery, and objectives and actions were identified and are described in a Biodiversity Management Plan.
Two rewilding areas were established with free herds in a process of natural grazing. Peninha a 60-ha area combines Garranos wild horses and Miranda Donkeys to maintain the high-altitude pastures, reduce biomass, avoiding wildfires that usually occur in this area. In another area with 120 ha, Sorraias Wildhorse, Miranda Donkeys, and Roe deer were released through a mixed natural grazing process.
In 2021 we’ve concluded the eradication of fast-growing eucalyptus to allow natural regeneration of oak Portuguese forest, it took 5 years of gradual cutting to minimize fauna and flora impacts. A new forest of Portuguese oak (Quercus faginea) it´s prospering naturally helped the combination of wild herd and birds that help to spread the acorn.
In addition, we have been focused in managing and controlling alien invasive species, mainly flora but in the future also freshwater fauna. Two new lagoons were restored to allow habitat condition for birds but also to reptiles such Mediterranean pond turtle, Mauremys leprosaa (VU), and freshwater fish Iberochondrostoma lusitanicumnew (CR) and Squalius pyrenaicus (NT) that were reintroduced, a new pond will be restore in nest year.
We have gained support from the community and raised awareness about the project and its goals, resulting in increased number of visitors, as well as in nature activities, workshops.
Two rewilding areas were established with free herds in a process of natural grazing. Peninha a 60-ha area combines Garranos wild horses and Miranda Donkeys to maintain the high-altitude pastures, reduce biomass, avoiding wildfires that usually occur in this area. In another area with 120 ha, Sorraias Wildhorse, Miranda Donkeys, and Roe deer were released through a mixed natural grazing process.
In 2021 we’ve concluded the eradication of fast-growing eucalyptus to allow natural regeneration of oak Portuguese forest, it took 5 years of gradual cutting to minimize fauna and flora impacts. A new forest of Portuguese oak (Quercus faginea) it´s prospering naturally helped the combination of wild herd and birds that help to spread the acorn.
In addition, we have been focused in managing and controlling alien invasive species, mainly flora but in the future also freshwater fauna. Two new lagoons were restored to allow habitat condition for birds but also to reptiles such Mediterranean pond turtle, Mauremys leprosaa (VU), and freshwater fish Iberochondrostoma lusitanicumnew (CR) and Squalius pyrenaicus (NT) that were reintroduced, a new pond will be restore in nest year.
We have gained support from the community and raised awareness about the project and its goals, resulting in increased number of visitors, as well as in nature activities, workshops.
Exchange
Inspirational value:
The project is a fine example of how to take up the challenge of an abandoned and vandalized landscape and recover its value by allowing nature and local grazing species to return. Being closely located near the capital city, gives urban visitors a sense of the historical and natural past. It also shows the case that wildlife has an active role in habitat management natural succession, and wildfire prevention, besides the educational and nature tourism proposes. For the local community and parc users the sense of belonging will grow, with direct impact in “close to nature” behaviors and more respect for wild animal free roaming in the area.
Experience you would like to share:
We started from scratch, working in a 380-ha, Quinta do Pisão, with no budget, no human recourses, and no detailed knowledge about the place. It was a step-by-step process in which we were always looking for a better solution that will enhance our work and community recognition. <br />
To make this project a success we needed to gain control of the property, long time submitted to vandalism, this was our major obstacle. For 4 years we fought against illegal hunters, all-terrain vehicle drivers, illegal dumping, and other similar situations. Only after solving those problems, we could develop the project. <br />
We started restabilizing this area's habitat connectivity and reintroduction of natural grazing with the farm animals like sheep, donkeys, and horses, reseeded pastures, planted native trees, and shrubs, and reactivated the landscape. Gradually we gain knowledge and confidence that allow us to push forward the project, which becomes more ambitious regarding the reintroduction of wild and semi-feral animals. <br />
The community naturally started to come and look inside the park, asking for more information about the project. By then, we knew we got their attention. That was a small but very important achievement. People remembered how this land looked before and how it was managed, and they associated it with our work. <br />
We want to re-establish the natural processes in Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, Cascais municipality, the introduction of wild animals is a great challenge, whoever the Quinta do Pisão success worked as a pilot, which helped to gain community recognition and political support. <br />
With this experience and political support, we are expanding the area of rewilding, our main goal it’s to link the public and private land and create a greater area of about 2300 ha.
Experience you would like to gain:
Considering the past 10/15 years of work, we know that we still have a long way to go. Our major concern is the impact of visitors to the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, Cascais municipality (SCNP-C), which we have monitoring. However, we certainly need to learn more about it and readjust the SCNP-C management to minimize negative impacts on wildlife. Since we have no experience in this issue, all the information and best-case studies are welcome. We also would like to gain more experience in fundraising activities, engaging the community, and communication strategies Other and more technical questions are about monitoring and surveys on herd impact in scrubland and particular habitats such as orchids and how to find the right balance to avoid overgrazing even if the herd runs freely in the landscape.