02 February 2012

Today marks the National Day of the Nature Watcher, day that coincides with the celebrations of World Wetlands Day.

In 1996, in the Region there was 1 Watcher which provided services in the Protected Landscape Area of Monte da Guia and 6 Nature Guards, of which 3 provide service on Faial island and the other 3 on São Miguel island. Since that year, the management adopted by the Regional Government has determined that the protection of environmental heritage must apply the criteria of scientific knowledge and planning, where the human presence should not normally be excluded. In this context, assumes particularly importance the figure of Nature Watchers, as agents on the ground for their skills and attitudes can, on one hand to preserve the rare, valuable and unique natural heritage of the Azores, while simultaneously helping to promote a sustained population development.

The strengthening of the management, training and professional development of the Nature Watchers as well as increasing the logistical means available to them, strategic choices were made and implemented, since the adoption of the career in the Azores. Since then, successive governments have been strengthening the body of Watchers in the last decade, which has triggered a wide range of entrance exams for Nature Watchers, with admission of 19 new members, of whom 10 inthe last year, providing 8 of the 9 islands of the Azores with Watchers (except Corvo), in a total of 31 elements, contributed to the numerous environmental references that the Azores received in a variety of specialty publications.

These professionals develop today a major contribution to the protection of the natural heritage of the Azores, the public water domain and maritime, land management, coastlines, waste management, and recognition of their work on the part of the population, an asset for the resolution of many problems that affect or may affect the territory.