The Regional Secretary for Energy, Environment and Tourism stated on the island of Flores that the Regional Government continues to focus on the safeguarding of biodiversity and the recovery of habitats, promoting "several measures aimed at nature conservation throughout the archipelago."
Marta Guerreiro spoke during the visit of the Regional Government's statutory visit. She took part in an initiative for the plantation of endemic flora, more specifically of Myositis Azorica and Veronica Dabney species, in the Central Zone and in the West Coast Cliffs within Flores Natural Park. This action also involved the participation of the Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry, João Ponte.
"This is another action that falls within a series of actions we are carrying out on all islands of the archipelago that are in line with the Programme of the Government regarding the increase of knowledge on biodiversity and natural heritage preservation," emphasised Marta Guerreiro.
In addition to the regular control of invasive flora and natural habitat recovery, namely the reinforcement of natural endemic flora populations, it is worth noting that the Region currently has two LIFE projects under implementation: LIFE Azores Natura and LIFE Vidalia; both provide for an overall investment of 20 million Euros in nature conservation on all islands.
The Secretary for the Environment also stressed the "expectation" that a third LIFE project, designated as LIFE Beetles, will be approved later this year, a global investment of almost two million Euros. This project is aimed at the conservation of three endemic beetles and includes field actions on the islands of Flores, Pico and Terceira.
"Together, this is an unprecedented investment in the safeguarding and enhancement of the natural heritage of the Azores," said the Regional Secretary.
On the occasion, Marta Guerreiro recalled that, through the Regional Directorate for the Environment, land plots located within the Network of Protected Areas are already available on all islands for the planting of endemic species or indigenous flora. The land will be transferred through protocols to be signed with interested companies. They will be responsible for planting ecologically appropriate species, in addition to maintaining and managing the assigned land plots.