The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and the Environment stated today on Pico that the Government of the Azores has already implemented or has ongoing investments of 2.5 million Euros to provide this island with more and better infrastructures that will improve its offer as nature destination.
 
"The promotion of our environment is of utmost importance in an area that is fundamental to the development of our Region," said Luís Neto Viveiros. The government official spoke on the sidelines of the opening ceremony of the adaptation of a traditional warehouse and the new interpretive exhibition of the Landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture in Lajido de Santa Luzia.
 
The Regional Secretary for the Environment revealed that the remaining contract works concern the construction of a support area for descents and the parking area for vehicle as well as the construction of the House of Volcanoes. These contract works are included in the Regional Public Works Charter.
 
These infrastructures reinforce the educational and promotional offer of the Network of Environmental Centres of the Azores. According to the Regional Secretary, it registered more than 110,000 visitors in 2015, which is the best year to date.
 
The new space opened today now offers a permanent interpretive exhibition on the Landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture, classified as World Heritage by UNESCO in 2004. It features an area designed to host temporary exhibitions, a shop, a space for the tasting of wine produced in the protected landscape and a traditional wine press on display.
 
This space also offers the possibility of guided tours throughout the entire area of Lajido de Santa Luzia.