LIFE IP CLIMAZ intervenes in the Ribeira das Pocilgas on the island of Santa Maria

June 30, 2026

Within the scope of the LIFE IP CLIMAZ project, coordinated by the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action (SRAAC), and sub‑action C5.3 – Ecosystem‑Based Adaptation to Face Extreme Weather Events in Inland Watersheds, led by the Regional Directorate for the Environment and Climate Action (DRAAC), a technical expedition took place on the island of Santa Maria.

The intervention involved a team of six operational assistants from Terceira Island and ten from Santa Maria, totalling sixteen members dedicated to implementing Nature‑Based Solutions in one of the priority sections of the Ribeira das Pocilgas. This action aims to strengthen the resilience of inland watersheds in the face of the growing impacts of climate change.

Throughout the intervention, works were carried out to reinforce and stabilise riverbanks, using Natural Engineering techniques that help reduce erosion, increase water retention capacity, promote natural infiltration, and contribute to the restoration of riparian habitats—essential for the ecological health of the watercourse.

The intervention in Ribeira das Pocilgas is particularly relevant, as it is a sensitive area prone to extreme weather events, including intense rainfall and flash floods. By applying ecosystem‑based adaptation techniques, LIFE IP CLIMAZ enhances the stream’s ability to absorb and dissipate hydraulic energy, mitigating risks to both the territory and local communities.

This action once again demonstrates the project's and the entities involved's commitment to implementing innovative, sustainable, and low‑impact solutions, recognising ecosystems as essential allies in responding to climate challenges. LIFE IP CLIMAZ thus continues to strengthen its role in climate change adaptation, promoting the protection of natural resources and reinforcing the response capacity of the Azores islands in the face of increasingly frequent and intense meteorological events.

With the financial support of the European Union’s LIFE Programme.