The 12th edition of the “One Tree for the Forest” campaign took place Saturday morning, the 14th, in the Barraca area, where volunteers planted native endemic species in an initiative led by QUERCUS in partnership with the Regional Forestry Services.

The reforestation effort brought together a broad coalition of public institutions and community members, including the Regional Government, the municipalities of Angra do Heroísmo and Praia da Vitória, the parish councils of Vila de São Sebastião and Doze Ribeiras, the National Republican Guard (GNR), and numerous local volunteers.

Organizers said the initiative reinforces a collective commitment to preserving biodiversity and promoting native plant species, contributing to the environmental recovery of the area. Once again, the campaign united public entities, civic associations, and private citizens around a shared goal: protecting and strengthening the region’s forests.

A simple act—purchasing a tree and planting it with friends or family—can serve as a first step in engaging younger generations in environmental stewardship. At a time when climate change and deforestation remain pressing global concerns, the campaign also functions as a public awareness effort, highlighting the strategic importance of forests and ecosystems in mitigating climate change and safeguarding natural heritage.

“Planting a tree is a symbolic act, but it is also profoundly strategic,” said City Councilor Sónia Ferreira. “It is an investment in the resilience of our territory, in the protection of biodiversity, and in the quality of life of future generations.”

From Press Release

Translated into English as a community outreach program by the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL), in collaboration with Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance) at California State University, Fresno. PBBI thanks Luso Financial for sponsoring NOVIDADES.