The Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Fore4stry, through the Regional Directorate for Forest Resources, has awarded to the company Silviaçores the operations for the cleaning and control of invasive species in fifteen plots, located within the Forest Perimeter and Regional Forest of São Miguel Island, covering a total area of 56 hectares.

The company was chosen following a selection process carried out in the Forest Service Providers Exchange of the Autonomous Region of the Azores.

In 2014, the Government of the Azores started an active management process for public forests on São Miguel Island, through the cutting and sales of timber and the rejuvenation of forest stands, mostly occupied by cryptomeria specimens.

This process contributes to the forest redevelopment in cut areas, resulting in a more diversified landscape that consists of production forest areas, waterline protection and sensitive areas, and areas directed to the conservation of biodiversity.

To date, the operations have involved the cutting of more than 62 hectares of trees, of which 40.5 hectares have already been reforested; they now need to be properly monitored.

Following the monitoring actions carried out under the forest management system implemented by the Regional Directorate for Forest Resources, the Government has identified the need to carry out cleaning operations for the regular management of these areas as well as the cleaning of existing forest stands. They are intended to control spontaneous vegetation and, consequently, ensuring the success of reforestation actions.