The Government of the Azores is committed in the recovery process of mires in the Region, as a means of restoring the ecological balance and enhancing the water resources.

This commitment was reiterated in Angra do Heroísmo on Tuesday by the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and the Sea, who presided over at the opening ceremony of the workshop on the subject. This workshop was organised by the University of the Azores with the support of the Government to celebrate the World Wetlands Day.

Álamo Meneses mentioned that the reinforcement of the government’s investment in nature preservation includes the recovery of these wetlands located on all islands, except on Santa Maria (there is an ongoing repositioning project on Graciosa island), which are integrated in the Island Natural Parks.

Reminding that the region has been investing in this area for some years, the Regional Secretary assured that increasing this investment is the new goal, whether in the combat to invasive species that have settled, whether in the management of human intervention in the deterioration of these spaces, particularly the presence of cattle in these sites.

Moreover, Álamo Meneses reminded that the first settlements were established near the streams, whose flow comes from mires, on several islands as they ensured a regular water supply throughout the year, which does not happen at the present moment.

The three-day workshop is being attended by wetlands experts and other researchers from related areas. The works include an area of field work, with visits to degraded mires.