The "Kids for the Mountain" program, a pilot project for environmental education and awareness-raising targeted at younger children, has been introduced in Miranda do Douro by the Douro International Natural Park Co-Management Commission (PNDI). Through this project, younger schoolchildren can take a close-up look at the PNDI's flora and fauna, one of the richest ecosystems on the Portuguese-Spanish border.
The Miranda Council's vice-president, who is also in charge of education, explained that this pilot initiative is a means for younger schoolchildren to receive a close-up look at the PNDI's flora and animals. As he further stated, “This is also a way of making it known that in these protected areas there are not only restrictions but also environmental awareness actions”.
With the topic "Forests at school," the activities dedicated to native forests, where students will discover what a forest is and which trees are found in their territory will begin this month, the Commission has shared. The program will be implemented in the four municipalities that comprise the PNDI during the 2024 - 2025 school year.
The PNDI is the nation's second-largest protected area, spanning 122 kilometres from the Castro dam to the mouth of the Águeda River. It consists of 35 villages spread across the municipalities of Miranda do Douro, Mogadouro, and Freixo de Espada à Cinta in the district of Bragança and Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo in the district of Guarda.