The new LIFE + "Lands of Priolo" (Azores Bullfinch) project, presented by the Regional Secretariat for Regional Resources in partnership with the Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds (SPEA), will enter into operation on July 1 to reinforce the viability of the work carried out on the Northeast area of São Miguel Island, the only region in the world where this small bird species lives.

This project, with a duration of five years, will assure the maintenance of 22 jobs; it has a budget of 3.3 million Euros, of which 75 percent are subsidised by Community funds while the remaining 25 percent will be supported by the Region.

The creation of pedestrian trails with new access, the intervention in the altitudinal gradient, the testing of methodologies to control exotic plant species, the recovery of landslides and slopes and the promotion of a comprehensive environmental education programme are some of the measures included in the new project. Moreover, it also provides the creation of a nature sport charter, the monitoring of rodents, the visiting of the Special Protection Zone, the monitoring of pedestrian trails and the recovery of natural forest.

During a visit to the Priolo Environmental Centre and to several areas on Tronqueira mountain range that were subject to interventions under the previous the LIFE Sustainable Laurel Forest Project, the Regional Secretary for Natural Resources emphasised the "excellent work" carried out by SPEA in the municipalities of Nordeste and Povoação in the last decade.

For Luís Neto Viveiros, this effort "has evidenced results, either in terms of EU funds allocated to the Region or in terms of job creation." The government official mentioned that, in addition to the creation of direct jobs, this project has provided training to more than 250 volunteers and trainees.

The Regional Secretary also stressed that these projects developed in partnership between the Government of the Azores and SPEA boost tourism flows, "generating a significant economic return"; they also bring scientific and environmental added value, which has been distinguished by several international entities.

The interventions carried out in this particular area of São Miguel Island have contributed to the removal of Priolo from the list of "Critically Endangered" bird species with the recovery of 350 acres of Priolo's natural habitat (laurel forest and peat bogs).