Regional Government of the Azores starts the first stage of the rehabilitation of the Pedro Miguel Centre of the Faial Botanic Garden

March 10, 2023

The Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Change is launching the first stage of the rehabilitation works of the Pedro Miguel Centre of the Faial Botanic Garden.

At the signing ceremony, held on Thursday, the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Change, Alonso Miguel, highlighted the importance of this location.

“The Pedro Miguel Centre of the Faial Botanic Garden has great relevance from a tourist point of view, given the natural values present there, and is, above all, a reference in terms of preservation of biodiversity and the conservation of our natural heritage, representing an important natural nursery of endemic and native plants and seed”, he stressed.

According to Alonso Miguel, “with this project, we intend to requalify and enhance this unique space, with a minimalist intervention, providing better conditions for its use, through the creation of a visitation support area, which includes the rehabilitation of the entrance area and the boundary fence adjacent to the «Caminho da Rocha Alta», as well as the rehabilitation of the existing observation tower on that site”.

The project includes several interventions aimed at improving the conditions for parking and visiting the area, conditioning and ordering people’s access, preventing the entry of cattle to protect the vegetation, and improving the conditions for rainwater drainage.
In this sense, “the works to carry out include the placement of natural pavement grids, drainage gutters and a retention and infiltration box for rainwater, as well as the installation of a cattle grid,” added the governor.

The Regional Secretary also took the opportunity to announce that “a second stage of the intervention is already being prepared in this location, which will cover an area of about six hectares, and aims to create new interpretive pedestrian circuits and upgrade existing ones, in addition to creating conditions to enhance the establishment and development of a greater number of species”.

“This is an initiative of commitment to the preservation of biodiversity and the promotion of sustainable tourism in our archipelago, in addition to an important step in the recovery and enhancement of our natural heritage”, he continued.

The contract was awarded to Monte Carneiro Construções, Lda. with a deadline of 90days and representing an investment of about 73 thousand euros. 

The contract was signed together with the Regional Secretary of Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures, Berta Cabral, and with the presence of the Mayor of Horta, Carlos Ferreira.