Shot by renowned Portuguese wildlife filmmaker Joao Cosme, “Wilder Côa” is a visually stunning documentary portraying nature and rewilding in Portugal’s Greater Côa Valley. A recent premiere in Lisbon attracted an audience of more than 200 guests, helping the Rewilding Portugal team raise the profile of the landscape and their ongoing efforts.
Climate change is increasing the risk of catastrophic wildfire outbreaks in Mediterranean regions. A new study, based on the Greater Côa Valley in Portugal, shows that adopting a holistic approach to landscape management could be the most effective way of preventing such outbreaks, with rewilding playing a key role.
The European wildcat is in danger of extinction in Portugal. The first confirmed sighting of a wildcat within a Greater Côa Valley rewilding site is therefore great news, highlighting the importance of landscape restoration efforts and targeted population support measures.
Natural grazing can deliver multiple benefits for nature, climate and people. An event in the Greater Côa Valley rewilding landscape in Portugal at the end of May, which brought together a wide range of experts and young rewilders, helped participants to share knowledge and expertise, with the aim of scaling up this essential natural process in Europe.
A herd of eight European bison have just arrived at the Herdade do Vale Feitoso Estate in Portugal. Managed in cooperation with the Rewilding Portugal team, they will enhance carbon sequestration, boost biodiversity, and support the growth of nature-based tourism.
The Wild Côa Network was established by the Rewilding Portugal team in 2021 to drive the development of nature-based enterprise in and around the Greater Côa Valley. A recent survey demonstrated the network’s beneficial impact to date, and offered insights into how this impact could be scaled up going forwards.
A livestock guard dog programme overseen by Rewilding Portugal has just reached its impressive target, with the 101st dog handed over to a local farmer. By reducing livestock predation, the programme will support the recovery of the endangered and ecologically important Iberian wolf.
Starting this month, the Rewilding Portugal team are coordinating cross-border, multi-partner efforts to enhance the recovery of Iberian lynx and Iberian wolf populations south of the Douro River.
Organised and managed by the Rewilding Portugal team, the “CÔA – Corridor of Arts” Festival united art, nature and culture in the Greater Côa Valley this July. Attracting thousands of visitors, the event helped the team establish and deepen connections with a wide range of stakeholders and promote the benefits of rewilding to a huge audience.
On the banks of Portugal’s Côa River, a thriving connection between people, nature and business offers new hope for the future.