Biodiversity, Green Areas
and Sustainable Land Use

The Pedagogical Farm opened in 2004. It emerged as an innovative response to the children maintain the nature connection and the rural world. The farm has 2,5 ha, is a rural and typically Minho farm that has been completely adapted to receive visitors in a pedagogical context. The Pedagogical Farm of Braga was the first of the country to be registered in the Ministry for Agriculture. Until December of 2023 the farm has 573.361 visitors, and the last year 50.187 visitors were registered. During the visit at the farm, the children have a direct contact with the different animal species (mainly livestock) and Portuguese breeds (chickens, ducks, donkey, geese, cows, horses, sheep, goats, pigs) characteristics of the traditional Minho landscape. People who are visiting the pedagogical farm learn to distinguish them, get to know their life cycles and their welfare. Besides, there are agricultural activities that take place throughout the year, improving the contact with the soil, through organic farming, making compost, gardening, sowing, plant and watering the plants with volunteers and children, also in the orchard that has specific regional varieties (apple, pear, peach trees). Soil organic fertilization is promoted, using manure to compost and others green waste to maintains a healthy soil (nutrient recycling), cultures rotation and consociations, promoting the biodiversity, don´t using harmful pesticides, protecting groundwater and surface water, teaching organic techniques to the children in all guided visits. There is a new environment centre to promote the visitors’ education for sustainability. The environment protection is also one of the main goals of this pedagogical farm. It intended to raise children’s awareness on environmental issues, particularly its importance for the well-being of people and habitats, especially in a context of climate change.

Environmental awareness programme held annually, over a week, featuring various activities involving the school community, companies, associations, and parish councils. Several initiatives are carried out, such as:

• Planting of native trees and shrubs.
• Distribution of seeds and provision of trees and shrubs.
• Lectures and presentations.
• Exhibitions.
• Engagement – in each edition a target for the number of plantations to be carried out is set.

This activity, associated with the World Forest Day (21st March) and World Water Day (22nd March), aims to enhance the value of the forest and water resources. The school community and citizens are encouraged to plant trees and shrubs near schools and residences, enabling them to water the plants regularly. Additionally, participants are challenged to adopt and be engaged in the cleaning of watercourses’ sections (“Rios” project). Moreover, individuals are invited to take walks to the sources of these watercourses to gain a better understanding of their surroundings and importance.

In 2013, Braga Municipality established the Department of Rural Development, implementing measures to promote and enhance rural areas. One such measure was supporting the creation and expansion of Urban Gardens, including community, social, inclusive, and educational ones. Initially, Braga had one community garden in Parada de Tibães, which still exists today. Since then, the Municipality, along with Parish Councils, has facilitated the creation of seven new operational gardens. Currently there are 10 urban gardens (with more than 30 000 m2 of cultivated area by around 2 thousand inhabitants), 33 school gardens (with 3 136 m2), and 5 social gardens (with 462 m2). These urban gardens projects aim to restore biodiversity, promote the circularity of organic matter, promote mitigation and adaptation to climate change, create healthy consumption habits and provide moments of sharing, learning and conviviality among its users.

Promotion of an annual photography contest aimed at showcasing the municipality and its biodiversity. The contest is open to the entire population, with the objective of encouraging people to appreciate the natural heritage, including ecosystems, habitats, and life forms.