A program to help regenerate our bioregion
The Ecosystem Regeneration Community of the Barlavento is excited to present a variety of actions and events throughout November 2026 to support the regeneration of our local ecosystem. Volunteers support these works and help scale our impact.
A full range of activities is planned throughout the month by the members of the Community. Participants and volunteers help with landscape maintenance, reforestation, and waterworks building. Tours, trainings, and workshops are also offered.
This month will be filled with a variety of ways for land stewards, agents of regeneration, and interested members of the public to get involved in ecosystem restoration!
Join us and help make a difference in the western Algarve!
Discover the projects and actions
Reserve your spot for the events
Explore the full monthly event calendar
2025 Collective impact
in numbers
Our first Month of Regeneration took place in November 2025, and was a great success. Help us make 2026 even better!
Events
Participants
Guided Agroforestry Tours
Trees and perennials planted
Volunteer Hours
Projects
Why take part?
Working in nature and the soil
Discovering and working with our local ecosystem
Learning about ecosystem restoration
Meeting and working with fellow earth stewards
About our Ecosystem Regeneration Community
We are a group of changemakers who have come together to address the ongoing challenges related to ecosystem degradation in the western Algarve. Our work entails holistic, community-led restoration approaches that unite nature, culture, and economy in our bioregion of the western Algarve, Portugal.
Participating Projects & Actions
This program is presented by a collaborative group of restoration projects throughout the region
Actions taking place throughout the month include volunteering to directly support ecosystem regeneration, as well as tours, training, and workshops to share knowledge and improve skills.
Volunteers can attend as many of these actions as they wish!
2 TO 8 NOV, 2026
Ecosystem Regeneration Camp
A 7-day residential training camp focused on agroforestry and ecological regeneration. Participants come away from this training program with more knowledge, skills, and confidence in ecosystem restoration. Ages 18+.
2, 9, 16, 23, 30 NOV
Ecosystem Regeneration Mondays
A non-residential version of the Ecosystem Regeneration Camp.
4, 5, 12, 19 & 26 NOV 2026
Water Retention & Agroforestry Plantation
Quinta do Horizonte will offer two water-focused sessions, two planting sessions, and a hybrid session. Each session is from 9:30am-2:00pm, and volunteers can join as many sessions as you wish. Ages 10+.
Questions about the actions? Email Quinta do Horizonte.
4 & 5 Nov: Workshop on storing and keeping the water in the landscape. 30 minute theory introduction followed by on-site construction of several checkdams.
12 Nov: The workshop will combine water retention and agroforestry plantation.
19 & 26 Nov: Planting workshop on diverse agroforestry plantations inspired by the principles of syntropic agroforestry.
5, 12, 19 & 26 NOV 2026
Agroforestry Actions
Vinha Velha will host volunteers to perform maintenance and planting actions to support reforestation efforts on the property. Specific activities vary for each session. The activities are from 9am-1pm on each of the event days, and volunteers can join as many sessions as you wish. This event is open to all ages.
Questions about the action? Email Vinha Velha.
6 NOV 2026
Nature Trail Walk
Enjoy a guided walk in a beautiful coastal valley, exploring a variety of natural habitats .
The session is from 9:30am – 1:00pm and is open to all ages.
Questions about the action? Email Carriagem Project.
20 NOV 2026
Assisted Natural Regeneration
A hands-on action teaching acacia management techniques and also planting and promoting endemic species.
The session is from 9:00am – 1:00pm and is open to ages 14+.
11 and 18 NOV 2026
Syntropic Agroforest-inspired Planting
Zambujeira de Fora will be planting 50 linear meters of syntropic agroforest-inpired lines along a newly created swale.
The sessions are from 9:30am – 1:30pm, and are open to all ages.
Questions about the action? Email Zambujeira de Fora.
14 and 15 NOV 2026
Trees for our Future
African Peace Village will implement a water retention landscape on a historical farm by connecting a rainwater harvest system to a terraced food forest, followed by tree planting.
The session is from 1:30pm – 6:30pm. Ages 18+.
Questions about the action? Email African Peace Village.
21 NOV 2026
Medicinal Mediterranean Garden
Quinta do Jasmim is offering the opportunity to immerse into a medicine garden for a day, with a local community herbalist. Planned actions include finishing post summer plant clean‑up, autumn harvesting of berries and roots, pruning citruses, starting soil amendments, and planting winter medicine (garlic & onions) and bare‑root trees. The session is from 9:30am – 1:00pm and is open to ages 18+.
Questions about the action? Email Quinta do Jasmim.
Actions & Events
Calendar view of the Month of Regeneration
Click on an action below to learn more about it.
A few details to keep in mind
Who
All ages are welcome to volunteer or attend most events. Those with age restrictions will be indicated. You can bring others with you. If you are bringing children to a working event, please remember this is agricultural work and they will require close adult supervision.
What to bring
Water, snacks, a hat, sturdy shoes or boots, work gloves, and sunscreen are always a good idea. The projects will supply the tools needed to facilitate their actions.
Getting to the events
You are responsible for getting to each event you registered for. Locations for each action are available on this page, within the Participating Projects section. Please email the project with an specific questions about directions to the actions.
Accommodation
You are responsible for finding your own accommodation. There are a number of options, including local campgrounds and caravan sites, hotels, and online services such as AirBnB.
- Vinha Velha offers several holiday rental options, as well as camping, at their location near Barão de São João. Contact them via email for availability and pricing.
Questions about an event?
Please contact the individual project hosting the action if possible, or email programs@mudvalley.org.
Registration
Join us and help support ecosystem restoration in the western Algarve!
Use the form below to register for Month of Regeneration events.
Registration for events with Quinta Vale da Lama and Mud Valley Foundation are managed through their respective websites.
