The Convento Bio (organic shop and restaurant) near the N125 in Lagoa is hosting an Art Exhibition entitled “Let’s Save Alagoas Brancas” - which is a seasonal wetland rich in wild fauna and flora.

The event – that will be attended by the directors and presidents of Almargem and SPEA – aims to celebrate World Wetlands Day, on 2 February, with a program that will be extended for a week, until 9 February.

The Alagoas Brancas is a seasonal freshwater wetland on the outskirts of Lagoa. At various times of the year, it is home to over 120 species of birds and many other animals, some of which are under protective laws and which can be classified as a priority habitat.


Fighting the destruction of Alagoas Brancas

Although experts from environmental associations are calling for the protection of Alagoas Brancas’ ecosystem, the area is intended for commercial construction, which is causing outrage.

An Almargem study revealed that “in spite of its small dimension, this area is rich in wild life, namely in species with high protection statuses. The area is home to about 1 percent of the regional population (Mediterranean, Black Sea and West Africa) of the Iberian black, Plegadis falcinellus as well as a vast amount of aquatic bird species throughout the year, including the nesting of the Porphyrio porphyrio”.

Furthermore, “on behalf of the group Salvar as Alagoas Brancas, an injunction was filed by the Associações Almargem - Associação de Defesa do Património Cultural e Ambiental do Algarve e pela Associação Cívica Cidade da Participação, essentially requiring an environmental impact study to be done. The Administrative and Fiscal Court of Loulé gave reason to the associations, but the Municipality of Lagoa and the company Edifícios Atlântico appealed against the decision, and at this time a decision is expected by the Administrative Court of Lisbon Circle. However, at the moment no work can be carried out at Alagoas Brancas”, reads a note sent to The Portugal News.

The group calls to anyone who wants to help them in this judicial fight to make a donation to their crowdfunding campaign to help them with the legal costs and to join their Facebook page.

To visit the “Let’s Save Alagoas Brancas” art exhibition, it is open on Wednesdays, Tuesday and Friday from 2:30 pm to 6 pm, Thursday from 9:30 am to 6 pm, Saturday and Monday from 9:30 am to 1 pm (closed on Sundays).