Involvement of the local population in the conservation of Temporary Ponds

> In order to conserve it is necessary to know and in this sense the LIFE Charcos team has developed several public sessions

In order to conserve it is necessary to know and in this sense the LIFE Charcos team has developed several public sessions to inform the local population in the project's intervention area, about the Temporary Ponds, the associated biodiversity, the threats they face and the importance of this habitat for the conservation of nature and for human well-being.

Odemira, Vila Nova de Milfontes, Almograve and Vila do Bispo were some of the parishes that hosted these public clarification sessions where, after a presentation, the audience was invited to do a field trip in order to know some of the temporary ponds in the vicinity of these localities.

The 200 participants involved in these sessions, from the most varied social areas such as farmers, tour operators, representatives of local associations and other stakeholders in the conservation of the Temporary Ponds, could clarify doubts about the interventions on the field that aimed for the conservation of this habitat, share opinions, discuss some of the threats to conservation and concrete measures planned for the restoration of temporary ponds.

These public clarification sessions are fundamental to achieve the conservation of this priority habitat for the medium and long term because it is imperative to involve the local population in its conservation by sensitizing the community in general and discuss with the farmers the solutions proposed for their preservation, since most of the Temporary Ponds are located in agricultural lands.