The young people who planted trees

The magazine ECO123 has started a reforestation campaign in Castelão with the Parish Council of Cachopo and the basic education school “Professor Joaquim Moreira” in Martim Longo. This village is located in one of the areas in the Algarve that was badly affected by the major fires in the municipalities of Tavira and São Brás de Alportel between 18th and 22nd July 2012. It thus contributes to the awareness-raising and training campaign carried out by the teacher Sílvia Barbosa and the President of the Parish Council of Cachopo, Otília Cardeira, which primarily involved the participation of 30 1st cycle pupils. Supported by official bodies and the local population, one of the areas worst affected by the fires was chosen. Castelão was surrounded by fire and plunged into the misery of ash that the fun and laughter of these children came to dispel.

Six groups were formed. Armed with hoes, each of the six groups set off with two dozen indigenous trees that are important for the regional economy. Such as carob and fig trees, stone pines, cork oaks, mulberry; olive, walnut and chestnut trees, and not forgetting the strawberry tree, which is an important part of Algarve flora despite not being a tree, strictly speaking.

Supported by the forestry technical staff, they looked for the best sites, which were sometimes indicated by local residents based on a combination of experience and nostalgia for a bygone era that we glimpsed through the stories we were told to the rhythmic sound of the hoes. With their usual curiosity, the children asked questions and learned to distinguish between the different types of tree chosen to bring new life to a forgotten place.

The idea was to create a new forest, living and diverse along the route of the Via Algarviana, the old St. Vincent’s trail for walkers from Alcoutim to what was once the end of the world.

Following an afternoon spent discovering the small wonders of simple things, such as moving some soil and discovering a worm, it was recalled with satisfaction that the maxim that “all great journeys start with a small step”; and with hope that it will be a long and prosperous journey to the destination of restoring and revitalising the interior of the country, not with impractical modern ideas but with wisdom and a sense of heritage.

Through the book “the man who planted trees,” the youngsters understood how the efforts and dedication of just one man could make a difference to the lives of others and to the world around him. This story is based on true facts, and tells us about the importance of small daily gestures and about how, with your own hands, with resilience and a lot of generosity, an arid, grey place can be turned into a magical forest full of life. It is a story which ECO123 was inspired by, to pursue one’s dreams independently of the size of the obstacle, and it teaches that, however insignificant, it is still possible to create a rich and sustainable ecosystem and help nature to revitalise itself.

About the author

João Gonçalves (31) Was born in Serpa, and holds a degree in Marketing, Business Communication, and Audio-visual Production from the University of Algarve, in Faro. He is currently working as a director, cameraman and editor. He lives in Faro.