Become a Guardian

Why Your Support Matters

Biodiversity Protection: Native forests support a wide range of plant and animal species that are crucial to Portugal's ecological balance.

Climate Resilience: Indigenous forests are better adapted to local conditions, making them more resistant to droughts, fires, and pests.

Soil Conservation: Native trees help prevent erosion and maintain soil fertility, unlike monoculture plantations that can deplete soil resources.

Water Management: Natural forests play a vital role in regulating water cycles and maintaining the quality of groundwater.

Wildfire Mitigation: Diverse, native forests are often more resistant to the spread of wildfires compared to monoculture plantations.

Addressing the Wildfire Threat

Portugal's struggle with increasingly severe wildfire seasons, exemplified by the devastating 2017 fires and the recent September 2024 wildfires, underscores the urgent need for improved forest management practices. These recurring events highlight the importance of cultivating native species, which are often more fire-resistant than the highly flammable eucalyptus, and maintaining diverse forests that create natural firebreaks to slow wildfire spread. Combining traditional land management techniques with modern conservation practices offers a promising approach to reducing fire risks and creating more resilient landscapes across the country.

Become a Guardian of Quinta de Sandelhas

Do you want to be a protector of this unique oasis? Here's your chance to play a vital role in safeguarding a precious pocket of Portugal's native biodiversity.

By becoming a Guardian of Quinta de Sandelhas, you're not just making a donation – you're taking on the responsibility of protecting a specific piece of this remarkable land. Each square metre of our 35,000 square metre sanctuary is available for guardianship, creating a limited and exclusive opportunity to directly contribute to the preservation of Portugal's natural heritage.

Here's what makes this guardianship special:

• Limited Availability: There are only 35,000 square metres available for guardianship. Once all areas are claimed, this opportunity will close.

• Lifetime Status: Your guardianship is for life, creating a lasting legacy of conservation.

• Direct Impact: Your contribution is tied to a specific square metre of Quinta, allowing you to protect and connect with a tangible piece of this biodiverse sanctuary.

• Exclusive Community: Join a select group of individuals committed to preserving this oasis of ancient trees and natural wonder.

This is more than a symbolic gesture – it's a concrete step towards ensuring the future of a vital ecosystem. Your guardianship directly supports our efforts to maintain and enhance the biodiversity of Quinta de Sandelhas, contributing to a more resilient and sustainable future for Portugal's forests.

Pine Tree Guardian

Cork Oak Guardian

Oak Tree Guardian

Preserving Portugal's Natural Heritage

In recent decades, Portugal has faced significant challenges: the loss of its native forest ecosystems and an increased risk of devastating wildfires. Economic pressures have led to the widespread planting of fast-growing, non-native species like eucalyptus, which now dominate much of the country's forested areas. This shift has come at a great cost to biodiversity, soil health, and the resilience of our natural landscapes. While the Minho region in the northwest remains a rare bastion of lush greenery and humidity, much of Portugal struggles with these environmental issues. Compounding the problem, population concentration along the coast has led to extensive construction and further destruction of native forests in these areas. As a result, preserving the remaining pockets of native ecosystems has become increasingly crucial for maintaining Portugal's ecological balance and natural heritage.

The Oasis of Quinta de Sandelhas

Amidst this changing and increasingly fire-prone landscape, Quinta de Sandelhas stands as a rare oasis of native Portuguese flora. We were fortunate to acquire this land from a family who shared our deep love for nature. They had protected it diligently over the years and chose to sell to us rather than to investors who wanted to convert it into a vineyard, which would have meant destroying the existing trees and ecosystem. This decision ensures the continuity of conservation efforts on this precious land. Our initiative aims to honour their legacy by further protecting and nurturing this pocket of biodiversity, preserving it for future generations and demonstrating sustainable forest management practices that can help mitigate wildfire risks.