Alonso Miguel inaugurates the restoration works of the Juncal's Mill on Pico

April 8, 2022

The Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Change, Alonso Miguel, seized the symbolism of the National Mills Day and inaugurated today the restoration works of the Juncal's Mill, proceeding to the signing of the management protocol with the Lajes do Pico City Council.

For Alonso Miguel, the management and logistic cooperation protocol, signed today between the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Change and the Lajes do Pico City  Council, "materialises all the commitment and necessary collaboration between the Regional Government and the local executive to preserve and enhance this cultural and natural heritage of Lajes do Pico, constituting a noteworthy example of joint work".

Built in the 1920s, when corn cultivation played an extremely significant role in sustaining the local population, the Juncal's Mill, according to the Secretary, "constitutes a relevant cultural and historical heritage of Lajes do Pico, which was important to restore".

The restoration of this mill is part of the investment made by the Regional Government of the Azores, in the scope of the creation of the Interpretative Circuit of the Lajes do Pico Coastal Platform, budgeted at around 150 thousand Euros.

Inserted in the Lajes do Pico Protected Area for the Management of Habitat or Species, integrated in the Pico Nature Park, and classified as a Special Area of Conservation and Special Protection Area, through the Natura 2000 network, the Jucal of Lajes do Pico is a recognized hotspot for birdwatching.

"For all of these reasons, this is a unique site, an increasingly popular visitation destination, which is under considerable pressure from tourism and must be managed and protected", added Alonso Miguel.

For the Regional Secretary, "this restoration intervention of a significant cultural and historical heritage has simultaneously provided this location with suitable and dignified conditions for the practice of birdwatching, which is increasingly becoming a tourist niche of reference in the Azores, and has also made it possible to improve conditions for the preservation of the natural heritage that exists there".

Alonso Miguel also said that the Interpretative Circuit of the Lajes do Pico Coastal Platform "is yet another distinctive element and an active asset for the enhancement of the municipality of Lajes do Pico".