Is moss picking a tradition in your family for the Christmas nativity scene?

Dec. 10, 2021

If so, this year we bring you a more environmentally friendly alternative.

Moss is a fundamental part of the Azores forests, both hydrologically and in terms of nature conservation. In this season, the Park Rangers play an important role by raising community awareness of the importance of this species. Its harvesting, collection, cutting, sale and intentional deterioration are prohibited by law. This way, the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Change will reinforce the surveillance and inspection of the places where this species develops.

If you think your nativity scene will not be the same without natural vegetation, we suggest that, instead of moss, you use the alien species Soleirolia soleirolii. We recommend you pick it with some substrate attached to the roots so that it lasts throughout the Christmas season. This species, brought to the Azores for ornamental purposes, managed to escape from captive planting due to its ability to disperse. Nowadays, it can be found covering stone walls on all the islands. This way, you can decorate your nativity scene in the way you like while helping to preserve the environment. But beware, you should dispose of it properly, by burning it and not putting it in the trash. However, you shouldn't plant it considering that it already exists in excess in nature and may represent a threat to the surrounding biodiversity.