On 28 July, as part of the celebrations for World Nature Conservation Day, the LIFE IP AZORES NATURA project organised two volunteer initiatives focused on the control of invasive alien species, involving various institutional partners and members of the community on two islands in the Archipelago.

On São Miguel, the initiative took place within the project’s area of operation at Lagoa do Fogo and involved removing invasive species affecting the area’s natural habitats. The event was attended by the Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Action, Alonso Miguel; the directors of the Island Nature Parks; representatives from the Regional Directorate for the Environment and Climate Action and the São Miguel Environment and Climate Action Service; as well as service users from the Centro de Apoio Social e Acolhimento – Bernardo Manuel Silveira Estrela (CASA), bringing the total number of participants to 45. The initiative highlighted the importance of cooperation between public bodies and civil society in preserving the natural heritage of the Azores.

On the island of Graciosa, the initiative took place at Ilhéu da Praia, an area of great importance for biodiversity conservation. The activity focused on removing New Zealand spinach (Tetragonia tetragonoides), an invasive alien species that threatens local ecosystems, and involved 14 participants, including members of the Graciosa Island Nature Park Advisory Board and representatives from various public bodies.

Through these initiatives, the LIFE IP AZORES NATURA project joined in the celebrations for World Nature Conservation Day, helping to raise public awareness of the issue of invasive alien species and the importance of active community participation in conserving the Azores’ natural heritage. With the financial support of the LIFE Programme of the European Union.