During the first weeks of November, native shrubs and trees were planted along the Évora and Montemor-o-Novo ecotrails, as well as in plots established at the base of high voltage powerline poles. The presence of shrub and arboreal vegetation in these places is fundamental for the promotion and conservation of biodiversity, because it increases the vegetation cover and the diversity of plant species, providing habitat and contributing to improve landscape connectivity by facilitating the dispersal of different species of animals, such as small mammals and butterflies.

The work involved the close collaboration between several partners of the LIFE LINES project, namely, the Municipalities of Évora and Montemor-o-Novo, the University of Évora and the MARCA – ADL, which is responsible for the production of nursery plants. We also thank the participation of a volunteering group of Master students in Conservation Biology from the University of Évora.

The LIFE LINES project aimed to reinforce the plantations made in 2018 by replacing plants that did not survive. The planted specimens have now been marked with colored wooden stakes to facilitate monitoring and prevent possible damage. In this sense, it is appealed to the users of the Évora and Montemor-o-Novo ecotrails, to make responsible use of this common leisure space, keeping the plants and the wooden stakes.

Many people approached us directly and told they are pleased with the actions developed by the LIFE LINES project in these infrastructures. They were even interested in getting involved in their maintenance and made suggestions. To them we leave our greetings, believing that the time to reap will come…