Registration is closed, as this program is full.
A HANDS-ON FIELD EXPERIENCE
Step into the world of pollinators!
Observe pollinators, learn real research methods, and explore biodiversity in nature.
Spend time outdoors at Quinta Vale da Lama exploring the fascinating relationship between pollinators and the plants they support.
You will join researcher André Henriques to observe bees, butterflies, and other pollinators in action, and learn how scientists study them in the field. You’ll discover how to identify key species, understand how the environment shapes what we see, and take part in a fun, interactive activity to find and document pollinators and plants. Along the way, you’ll contribute to real research, gain insight into the scientific process, and enjoy meaningful time outdoors—whether you’re coming as a family, a student, or simply someone curious about nature and biodiversity.
This interactive session is free to attend, but pre-registration is required. The program is presented in Portuguese and English. Participants who complete the interactive activity will receive a pollinator-friendly plant to take home (one plant per group).
Reasons to participate
Observe pollinators up close
Learn to identify plants & pollinators
Experience real field research
Enjoy meaningful time outdoors
There are two main activities you will take part in at this field experience:
Learn about field research
First, our facilitator, André, will show you how scientists like him conduct field research. He will show the key steps of the field research process, such as selecting sites, applying sampling techniques, conducting observations, collecting specimens, and recording data. You will do this as you go to different locations around Quinta Vale da Lama.
Observing biodiversity
At the same time, you will also be engaging in a fun and interactive field activity to learn about pollinators and the plants they depend on. The activity encourages careful observation, curiosity, and a deeper understanding of biodiversity in the field.
Both activities take place outdoors, as you enjoy time spent in nature!
About the facilitator
André Filipe Ribeiro Henriques
André is a biologist at the Centre for Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Changes (CE3C), at the Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, specializing in Evolutionary and Developmental Biology. Currently, he is pursuing his PhD in the doctoral program “Biology and Ecology of Global Changes”, where his research focuses on how human-modified landscapes, such as urbanization and small-scale farming, shape the genetic diversity, genetic structure, and adaptive process of wild bee populations.
Learn more about his work
André earned his BSc in Biology from the Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, followed by an MSc in Evolutionary and Developmental Biology. For his MSc thesis, developed under the EUCLIPO project, he studied how a single small-scale farming landscape (West Region of Portugal) influences the genetic variability and adaptation of wild bees. Based on those results, his hypothesis posits that small-scale farming landscapes may enhance the genetic diversity of certain wild bee species, potentially facilitating their adaptation to these heterogeneous, mosaic-like landscapes.
Currently, his PhD is part of two international projects: the EUCLIPO project and the Biodiversity Genomics Europe (BGE) project, where his research serves as a case study. He focused on three common and widespread wild bee species – Andrena flavipes (Panzer, 1799), Bombus terrestris (Linnaeus, 1758), and Lasioglossum malachurum (Kirby, 1802) – across urban, small-scale farming, and low-agriculture (natural/semi-natural) landscapes in three regions of Portugal (Minho, Zona Oeste, and Algarve). His goal is to identify patterns of natural selection, track changes in allele frequencies, and understand the ecological and land-use factors driving adaptation. Additionally, he is investigating whether these species follow similar adaptive responses or respond differently to human-altered environments.
This research not only advances our scientific understanding of the genetic status of key wild bee species but also highlights the crucial role of genomics in biodiversity conservation. If his hypothesis proves correct, these findings could be instrumental in designing conservation strategies for wild bees, integrating genetic and genomic insights to support their adaptation in small-scale farming landscapes.
About Quinta Vale da Lama
Living and Learning Closer to Nature
Quinta Vale da Lama is a 43-hectare farm, featuring an organic market garden, applying regenerative agriculture and ecosystem restoration methodologies to improve soil quality, water availability, biodiversity, and local livelihoods.
It is also an active member of Ecosystem Restoration Communities, a group of 60 global hubs pursuing diverse restoration initiatives rehabilitating degraded lands to create flourishing ecosystems.
Quinta Vale da Lama is located in southwestern Portugal, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and the mountains of the western Algarve.
Quinta Vale da Lama is a partner of Mud Valley Foundation.
A few details to keep in mind
Who
All ages are welcome. Children must be supervised.
When
Saturday, 16 May 2026, from 10am to 12:30pm
Where
We’ll meet at Associação Novas Descobertas at Quinta Vale da Lama. You can also park there. → Find it on Google Maps
What to bring
Water, snacks, a hat, sturdy shoes or boots, and sunscreen are always a good idea.
Any questions?
You can email us at programs@mudvalley.org
Registration is closed, as this program is full.
