From February 14 to 18, the workers and collaborators of the Environmental Services and the São Miguel Island Natural Park participated in a joint cleaning action to clear to access trails to the Congro and Nenúfares Lakes. This intervention was the first step of a process that aims to enhance an area of acknowledged landscape, natural and conservation value as, due to the Government’s initiative, through the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and the Sea, the Land Management Plan of the do Congro Lake Hydrographic Basin is being prepared.

The legal diploma regulating the São Miguel Island Natural Park has classified the protected area for the management of habitats and species of the Congro Lake, hence assuring the management of the biophysical and landscape values arising from this volcanic formation (maar) which is uncommon on the island of São Miguel. Its uniqueness has earned it the inclusion in the list of priority geosites that integrate the Azores Geopark. Meanwhile, there are habitats and species on the slopes of the Congro and Nenúfares Lakes that need to be recovered; this intervention process should be an opportunity to restore environmental values, with enormous scientific and educational potentialities.