Between May and July 2025, the Montado Living Lab, an initiative of the CHANGE Associated Laboratory coordinated by the University of Évora, organized a cycle of training sessions dedicated to the sustainable management of cork oak forest systems. The activities were aimed at farmers, technicians, managers and other professionals interested in practices that promote the resilience and sustainability of this unique ecosystem.
The training sessions were organized in collaboration with APORMOR and the cross-border POCTEP project, SOS PRODEHESA MONTADO, and combined theoretical sessions with field visits, promoting practical and applied learning.
The first session, on “Cattle management in the context of the montado”, took place on May 16, 20 and 29 in Montemor-o-Novo. Professor Manuel Cancela de Abreu, a retired lecturer from the University of Évora, led the training, which culminated in a technical visit to Herdade da Filhardeira.
The second training session took place on June 5, in Santana do Mato (Lavre), and focused on cork harvesting. Professor and MED/CHANGE researcher Ana Cristina Gonçalves introduced the participants to the theoretical component, which was followed by a practical demonstration at Herdade de Carregais, guided by professional Márcio da Justina.
The third took place on July 15 and 16 in Estremoz and was dedicated to forestry in an agroforestry context, with an emphasis on regeneration and thinning techniques. Once again under the guidance of Professor Ana Cristina Gonçalves, the training included a visit to Herdade da Barbosa, where practical cases of success and failure in cork oak regeneration were presented.
Given the high level of participation and interest shown in the sessions already held, the Montado Living Lab plans to hold new training sessions over the coming months. These will cover new topics and repeat previous sessions, with the aim of reaching more audiences and territories within the vast area of influence of the montado.
