Native Butterfly Reserve

The creation of The Native Butterfly Reserve is an important contribution for stimulating awareness, knowledge and propagation, as well as research into the habits and life cycles of these insects, some of which are endangered.

The creation of the Butterfly Reserve in the forest of the agricultural college (ESAC) is viewed as imperative for the preservation of biodiversity in the region and economic development through its contribution to the preservation of habitats. Through the creation of the reserve and a nursery for breeding native species, the team aims to carry out research, share information and learn more about the importance of butterflies in the Portuguese ecosystem as well as  protecting species at risk.  The initial phase requires an investment of 7.500€ for the structure and accessorie installation, in order to create an enclosed habitat for the rearing and preservation of the butterflies. 

Iphiclides feisthamelli - Borboleta zebra

This site would be open to the public who would be welcome to observe the various stages of project development and initiatives so that visitors can gain an appreciation for the role of these insects in pollination and their overall contribution for harmony and biodiversity of ecosystems.

This project is an important conservation initiative, particularly in terms of preservation and valorization of the few remaining pristine forests remaining in the central region of Portugal. Furthermore, there are projected benefits in terms of educational, environmental and social synergies, promoting forest management and the development of a commercial strategy for creation of environmental education materials, and establishment of a space for learning and leisure. 

This project is promoted in partnership with “Solidary Hemispheres”, an association for social inclusion and aid based in Coimbra, aiming to contribute to entrepreneurial initiatives tied to nature conservation, biodiversity, environmental education and leisure.

About the author

 Escola Superior Agrária de Coimbra has been in existence for 128 years making it the oldest institution of its kind in Portugal. The campus is situated on a marvelous 140 ha. parcel of land on the outskirts of Coimbra, and its agricultural and forestal areas provide an excellent living laboratory for educational and research activities as well as public use and benefit.  

The project team is composed of: Leila Rodrigues, António Dinis Ferreira, Teresa Vasconcelos, Maria José Cunha, Filipe Melo, Mark Carpenter, Cristina Galhano, Manuela Abelho, José Gaspar, Eduardo Marques, Carmo Lopes, Noémia Bárbara, Ana Bela Lopes, Aida Silva, Clara Costa, Ana Helena Teixeira, Helder Neves, Inês Penacho; who already in 2014 carried out a number of activities to disseminate information and raise awareness of the importance and uniqueness of this project. For example, The Butterfly Gardens exhibit using native and non-native butterflies, which ran for a week in June of 2014 as part of Science and Technology at ESAC.  

http://webmanager.ipc.pt/mgallery/default.asp?obj=5873

http://www.ruc.pt/2014/06/05/jardim-das-borboletas-celebra-o-dia-mundial-do-ambiente/

http://www.ada-net.org/index.php/component/content/article/57-ada/381-2014-11-28-11-43-33

http://www.cienciaviva.pt/semanact/edicao2014/eventos.asp?accao=listeventosentidade&id_entidade=30482

Budget and due dates

Anticipated Tasks:

1. Construction of the nursery;
2. Creation of the nature reserve in the forest of ESAC;
3. Implementation of entrepreneurial activities allocated to the project to guarantee its sustainability; 
4. Development of activities/projects of research and cooperation in the area of biodiversity preservation, behavior of species under environmental stress, climate change, loss of ecosystems, repopulation/reestablishment of species, etc. 
5. Development of activities for social integration promoted by the partner entity  “Hemisférios Solidários”;
6. Creation and sale of articles linked to butterflies and the theme of nature conservation, mainly made by people who may be marginalized or in risk of social exclusion that are accompanied by the Solidarity Hemispheres association, and also any from the ESAC community who may be interested; 
7. A market study of the viability of creation and sale of pollinating and beneficial insects for sale to certain agricultural sectors (proposed by master’s course students);
8. Development of strategies of protection, conservation and management of native forests with high levels of biodiversity and heritage value;  

For the creation of the butterfly nursery some infrastructure and research equipment are needed costing approximately 15,000€ (the timetable for project execution is for 1 year, and may be divided into 2 phases, the first costing about 7,500€ and the second, 7,500€):

• Metallic structural materials, cloth and screening: 5,000
• Watering system: 1,000
• Wooden cottage for support and sales of merchandizing items: 1,700
• A wooden staircase: 1,000
• Wooden fence and sisal screen: 300
• Bathrooms: 1,000
• Crockery, plumbing and tap linkages: 2,000
• Labor: 3,000

This is an initiative of the professor and students of ESAC, as well as others interested in the community of Coimbra and of the Association of Solidarity Hemispheres.

Images