Students from the Gardening Course participate in an action to remove invasive flora and successive planting of natives on São Miguel

March 28, 2023

On 16 February, a volunteer action was carried out to remove invasive flora on the coastline of Miradouro dos Fadres, Maia parish, São Miguel island. This activity was promoted by the LIFE IP AZORES NATURA project and the São Miguel Environment and Climate Change Service in collaboration with the Maia Parish Council, which helped collect green waste.

The action included the participation of 12 students from the Gardening Course of Escola Básica Integrada da Maia and their teacher, consisting in the removal of the invasive species Ice Plant (Carpobrotus edulis) and African Daisy (Osteospermum sp.), in a place where specimens of the endemic species Azorean Bellflower (Azorina vidalii), Azorean Coastal Fescue (Festuca petraea), Azorean Bishopsweed (Ammi seubertianum) and Azorean Pericallis (Pericallis malvifolia) can be seen on the slopes.

The removal of the invasive species was followed by a planting of native species in this location, occupying the space freed up by the removal of the invasives and thus promoting the recovery of this area. Four individuals of Azorean Bishopsweed, 11 of Azorean Pericallis, 11 of Macaronesian Umbrella Milkwort (Tolpis succulenta) and 19 of Azorean Bellflower were planted.

The LIFE IP AZORES NATURA project is coordinated by the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Change. Learn more at www.lifeazoresnatura.eu/en/.