VIMACT – Ação Climática Vimaranense pela redução da pegada ecológica

Summary of the project

The VIMACT project associates with the achievement of the 13th Sustainable Development Goal by the UN: “Educate young people on climate change to put them on a sustainable path early on”.
The main objective of the project is to increase Biodiversity and consequently the Biocapacity of Guimarães, by the renaturalization and recovery of the landscape on the Penha mountain.
The foreseen actions are, among others, building and implementing green infrastructures (a pond and a wildlife forest corridor). In this sense, there will be implementation of theoretical and practical trainings, creation of a permanent pond by the observatory of avifauna in the Penha Mountain, as well as plantation of an autochtone woodland with the goal of potentiating the creation of an ecological corridor.
This variety of activities is always planned with the participative inclusion of the population in promoting biocapacity. For example, by increasing carbon sink ability, and raising awareness for more sustainable lifestyles, therefore reducing individual and global Ecological Footprint.

Beneficiaries

• 5.000 environmental volunteers from BVG, BLV, and AVE, school community and civil society

Overall achievements

The project aimed to contribute to the renaturalization and recovery of the Penha mountain, establishing two main actions: construction of a permanent pond and revitalization of the water system in the surrounded area; and plating natives specicies by creating an ecological corridor around the footpath/biodiversity routes promoting a better link between Penha mountain and the Guimarães city park. Also were developed complementary activities for raising awarenesse about environment protection, such as: theoritical and practical training sessions, a mini guide of fauna and flora, a book of the 100 main birds of Guimarães and were planted trees to promote circular economy and the local biodiversity. The action reached direclty 270 people.