Storm Kristin devastated Marinha Grande and Leiria, destroying many green spaces. This situation created an opportunity to establish micro-forests in schools, restoring affected areas and promoting learning in a Living Lab.
The destruction caused by Storm Kristin brought significant challenges to the educational communities of Marinha Grande and Leiria, where much of the schools' green spaces were severely affected. However, this adversity presents an opportunity to transform these areas through the development of microforests integrated into the school context. These interventions not only allow for the recovery of lost natural spaces but also create conditions for meaningful learning in a Living Laboratory environment, promoting a closer relationship between students and nature.
In parallel, growing concerns about climate change and the sustainability of urban centers reinforce the need to align educational action with the Sustainable Development Goals, namely: SDG 4 – Quality Education, SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 13 – Climate Action, and SDG 15 – Life on Land. The implementation of Microforests in schools embodies this commitment, encouraging ecological practices, environmental responsibility, and civic awareness.
In this context, the example of the existing Microforest project in Fundão — a city twinned with Marinha Grande — developed in partnership with the Aga Khan Foundation, serves as an inspiring reference.
The implementation of this project will be carried out in close collaboration with the entire local community, promoting a collaborative and sustainable approach. The Environment Division of the Marinha Grande Municipal Council will play a central role in providing technical and logistical support, while the Parish Council's nursery will contribute native species and specialized guidance in the selection and maintenance of plants. Simultaneously, teachers will benefit from continuous training through the CFAE LeiriMar program, ensuring that the pedagogical dimension of Microforests is fully integrated into curricular practices. This dynamic will be enriched by the involvement of OIKOS – Association for the Defense of the Environment and Heritage of the Leiria Region, whose experience will reinforce the scientific and environmental component of the project. The Eco-School Clubs of the school cluster will play an active role in promoting activities, coordinating awareness-raising and volunteering actions. The participation of the school community and families will also be crucial, ensuring not only the monitoring of the project stages but also the creation of a sense of belonging and collective responsibility in the preservation and care of these new green spaces.
About the author
The Marinha Grande Poente School Group, established on April 1, 2013, as a result of the merger of the Guilherme Stephens School Group and the Eng.º Acácio Calazans Duarte Secondary School, comprises ten educational establishments distributed across the parishes of Marinha Grande and Moita. It is a Priority Intervention Educational Territory (TEIP) due to its socioeconomic diversity, with a student population where 20% of children and young people come from 34 nationalities, speaking other languages and possessing other languages.
The school group has over 2800 students and offers education from preschool to secondary school, including scientific-humanistic and vocational courses, as well as adult education and training through the Qualifica Center, with RVCC (Recognition, Validation and Certification of Competencies), EFA (Family and Adult Education) courses, and PLA (Personalized Adult Education) courses for migrant populations. It has a large team of professionals, including teachers, specialized technicians, technical and operational assistants.
The school group participates in several networks, namely the REEI Schools network, the 2030 Schools network, and its geographical location, history, and demographic size give it an increased responsibility in promoting sustainability and building innovative educational practices.
Budget and due dates
The intervention will be developed in four sequential technical stages: Building the dream, our microforest, planting execution, and monitoring and sustainability.
The planning phase includes mobilizing the educational community and defining the project vision. This is followed by species selection and ecological design, based on edaphic and climatic analysis. The execution phase comprises soil preparation, installation of a temporary irrigation system, and dense planting. Finally, technical support will be provided for a minimum period of 24 to 36 months.
Step 1 – Building the Dream
- Mobilization of students, teachers, operational assistants and families.
- Gathering ideas and collaboratively defining the project vision.
- Involvement of partner entities from the initial phase.
Stage 2 – Our Microforest
- Identification and selection of native species adapted to the local climate and soil.
- Definition of the ecological design of the microforest.
- Technical support from the Parish Council's nursery, OIKOS, and the Municipal Council's Environment Division.
Stage 3 – Execution and Planting
- Soil analysis: texture, depth, drainage, and organic content.
- Improving fertility through compost, biomass, and organic matter.
- Installation of an irrigation system for initial support.
- Dense and diverse planting, ensuring cooperation and symbiosis between species.
Stage 4 – Monitoring and Sustainability
- Monitoring for 24–36 months: humidity, weeds, plant replacement, irrigation system maintenance.
- Production of reports, photographic records, and field data by students.
- Promoting educational activities and events such as the "Forest Festival".
Prior to implementation, a soil analysis will be conducted, evaluating texture, usable depth, pH, drainage, and organic matter content. Based on the results, certified plant compost and structuring biomass will be incorporated.
The temporary irrigation system will be sized according to sun exposure and initial water needs, and will be progressively reduced as the microforest becomes self-sustaining.
Estimated costs for each of the microforests (€6,500):
- Stage 1 – Consulting – €500
• Stage 2 – Information and Training – €750
• Stage 3 – Preparation, Equipment and Planting – €4500
- Stage 4 – Maintenance – €750
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