Training for the resilience of the Montado system
Between May and July 2025, the Montado Living Lab, an initiative of the Laboratório Associado CHANGE coordinated by the University of Évora, carried out various training activities aimed at farmers, technicians, managers and other professionals interested in the sustainable management of the Montado system.
These training courses were organised in collaboration with APORMOR and the cross-border project POCTEP SOS PRODEHESA MONTADO, with the aim of deepening theoretical and practical knowledge on key aspects of the Montado, which are essential for strengthening its resilience and sustainability.
1st Training Course – Cattle management in the context of the montado
Held on 16, 20 and 29 May at the headquarters of APORMOR in Montemor-o-Novo, this training course was led by Professor Manuel Cancela de Abreu, a retired lecturer from the University of Évora.
The training concluded with a technical visit to Herdade da Filhardeira, where participants were able to observe management practices adapted to the Montado ecosystem.
2nd Training Course – Cork extraction: theory and practice
This took place on 5 June in Santana do Mato (Lavre) and addressed, in both theory and practice, cork extraction techniques.
The theoretical part was taught by Ana Cristina, a researcher at MED&CHANGE and lecturer in the Department of Rural Engineering at the University of Évora.
Afterwards, attendees took part in a visit to Herdade de Carregais, where Márcio da Justina, a professional cork harvester, demonstrated good practices and sustainable methods of cork extraction.
3rd Training – Forestry in an agroforestry context: regeneration and thinning
Held on 15 and 16 July, this training focused on regeneration and thinning methods in agroforestry systems.
Coordinated by Professor Ana Cristina Gonçalves, the activity combined a theoretical introduction with a field visit to Herdade da Barbosa, in Estremoz, where practical cases of success and failure in tree regeneration were presented, as well as a demonstration of marking for thinning.
Due to the success and high participation in the training courses, the Montado Living Lab is planning new training cycles in the coming months.
These will include new topics and the repeat of previous sessions, with the aim of reaching more professionals and territories within the area of influence of the montado system.
? This collaboration between the Montado Living Lab, APORMOR and the SOS PRODEHESA MONTADO project reinforces the joint commitment to knowledge transfer, training in the agroforestry sector and the preservation of the Dehesa-Montado ecosystem as a model of sustainability and adaptation to climate change.
