On Thursday, April 22, the Azores celebrated World Earth Day with a large-scale plantation of endemic species, which took place on all the islands, at the same time.

This was an initiative of the Regional Secretariat for Transport, Tourism and Energy, through the Management Structure of the Sustainable Tourist Destination, Azores DMO, in partnership with the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Change, which supported this activity through the Natural Park’s structures of each Island and the Environmental Interpretation Centers.

This action was part of the ‘Roadshow-Reserve’ program, an event in a unique format, promoted by the Regional Directorate of Tourism and the Azores Tourism Association, with the purpose of promoting the tourist destination as safe and sustainable. The event was replicated in all the islands, with the participation of several national and international media, volunteers in the plantation actions in each island.

About 108 endemic species were planted, which contributes to the conservation and protection of the islands’ biodiversity, by strengthening the populations of these species, as well as reducing the ecological footprint and mitigating climate change, promoting the prosperity of the conditions of natural habitats and the capture of carbon from the atmosphere, improving the quality of the air we breathe. The Regional Secretariat for Transport, Tourism and Energy thanks the valuable support of the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Change for the collaborative structure, and for the availability of the structures of the Natural Parks of islands. It also thanks the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Rural Development, by granting the planting of the various endemic species under the competence of the Regional Directorate for Forest Resources.

This is yet another initiative that reinforces the positioning and notoriety of the Azores as a sustainable tourist destination, of which the proper functioning of its collaborative structure would be essential. This tree plantation was an event for everyone, for everyone. The Regional Secretariat for Transport, Tourism and Energy thanks the collaboration, commitment and enthusiasm of all the entities involved, employees and volunteers who participated in this joint action.