The year 2024 marked the 10th anniversary of "Plantar o Futuro" an initiative that was born in 2014 at the hands of the Biology students from the University of Aveiro and that, a decade later, has become one of the largest environmental awareness projects in the country.

The initiative emerged in 2014 as "Biologia a Plantar o Futuro" (“Biology Planting the Future”) and was integrated into the reception and integration project for new students of the Bachelor's Degree in Biology at the University of Aveiro. Its goal was to promote social and environmental responsibility as well as to contribute to the recovery of the Portuguese Native Forest.

In 2014, under the organization of the Comissão de Faina de Biologia and with the support from the Department of Biology, the University of Aveiro Herbarium, and the Wildlife Research Unit, 80 freshmen students became responsible for small oak saplings. Around the Native Forest Day in November, they went to the Buçaco National Forest to plant them. In the following years, the initiative expanded: in 2015, it returned to the Buçaco Forest, in 2016, it took place in the Municipality of Albergaria-a-Velha, and in 2017, under the management of Agora Aveiro, it reached the Vilar Forest in the Municipality of Lousada.

In 2018, following the devastating wildfires that struck Portugal, particularly the Pedrógão Grande region, "Plantar o Futuro" was born. The project began to encompass the entire academic community of the University of Aveiro, including its students, faculty, and staff, with reforestation activities now focused on the Municipality of Estarreja. Since 2014, combining the results of "Biologia a Plantar o Futuro" and "Plantar o Futuro," there have been over 5,600 "adopters" - people who adopted a native tree - and more than 7,800 trees planted by around 850 volunteers in the Buçaco National Forest and the Municipalities of Albergaria-a-Velha, Lousada, and Estarreja.

The Purpose of "Plantar o Futuro"

Forest fires have sadly become a recurring feature of Portuguese summers. According to the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests, most are caused by human negligence - whether from poorly managed agricultural burns, grazing, and hunting activities or from deliberate acts of arson driven by vandalism, neighbor disputes, or even a desire to challenge firefighting efforts. The problem is further aggravated by the desertification of inland areas, poor forest management, and rising average temperatures, creating ideal conditions for fires to spread uncontrollably.

Instead of limiting ourselves to a one-time reforestation activity, we propose something bigger: turning the simple act of planting a tree into a lasting commitment to preserving the native forest. Participants not only adopt a tree but also receive continuous support through the Support Line, access to the "Plantar o Futuro Guide”, participation in the Best Practices Sharing Forum, and active involvement in Reforestation Actions, Interpretative Visits, and Invasive Plant Control Actions.

The 6th Edition: A Milestone of Success

In 2024, during the 6th edition of "Plantar o Futuro," 758 students, faculty, and staff from the university accepted the challenge of adopting a native tree and caring for it until planting. For this edition, two tree species were available - english oaks and cork oaks - and three shrub species - strawberry trees, hawthorns, and holly trees. Participants had the help of the "Plantar o Futuro Guide” and the Support Line, which received more than 50 assistance requests over four months.

With the arrival of the rains, the Reforestation Actions began. For adopters who were unable to attend, a collection point was set up at the University of Aveiro, ensuring that all trees would be properly planted. Of the 758 adopted trees, 634 were returned, representing more than 80% of the total. To reach the goal of planting at least 1,000 trees, additional specimens from the Municipal Greenhouses of Estarreja were used.

Defying Saint Peter and the weather forecasts predicting rain, on February 15 and 22, we set out early in the morning towards Estarreja. Under the guidance of the Agora Aveiro and the Municipality of Estarreja teams, we planted over 1,250 trees in the municipality's Eco Business Park, surpassing the project's objectives. To help us in this mission, we counted on former volunteers, project partners - particularly Caetano Auto - and, this year, a group of scouts - Grupo 249 - Associação dos Escoteiros de Portugal. In total, around 110 volunteers rolled up their sleeves, put on gloves, grabbed hoes, shovels, and pickaxes, and spent two mornings volunteering for nature. The result? Hundreds of native trees planted for the benefit of the native forest and its role in fire resilience, biodiversity promotion, and climate change mitigation.

On a global scale, this is just a small action, but one with the potential to be replicated in other universities, schools, and communities. It demonstrates that individual actions, though small, can create meaningful change when repeated by hundreds or even thousands of people, transforming our communities and the world.