Parques de Sintra to Reforest Serra de Sintra After Storm Damage
Parques de Sintra, the entity managing the natural and cultural heritage of the Sintra hills, has announced a significant intervention to recover the forest perimeter following the damage caused by the Martinho depression in March 2025. The initiative, supported by the Sintra City Council, will focus on restoring the landscape and bolstering its resilience against forest fires. The project has received a favorable opinion from the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests (ICNF), underscoring its ecological necessity.
The operation will commence with the cutting and removal of invasive woody species and undergrowth, which have contributed to fire risk in the region. Additionally, crews will clear trees that were broken, felled, or died as a result of the severe weather event earlier this year. This initial phase is designed to clear the forest floor and prepare the terrain for a comprehensive reforestation effort. The primary goal is to mitigate fire risk by managing the fuel load within the forest.
Following the clearing phase, the project will proceed with the arborization of areas that experienced a total or significant loss of tree cover. The plan specifies the use of native species, including Arbutus Unedo (Strawberry Tree), Castanea Sativa (Sweet Chestnut), Quercus Robur (English Oak), and Quercus Pyrenaica (Pyrenean Oak). According to the official statement, all new trees will be certified and will be accompanied by the required phytosanitary passports, ensuring they are healthy and properly documented. This selection of species is intended to create a more robust and fire-resistant forest ecosystem.
A key aspect of the intervention is the preservation of existing flora that holds high conservation interest. While the primary focus is on removing hazardous material and replanting, the project will be executed with careful consideration for the valuable ecological assets already present in the Serra de Sintra. This balanced approach ensures that the recovery efforts do not inadvertently harm the delicate local biodiversity. The intervention is framed as a critical measure for the long-term health and safety of the territory.
The announcement from the Câmara Municipal de Sintra highlights that the project's main objective is the recovery of the forest space affected by the storm, functioning as a mitigation measure to reinforce the territory's resilience against the risk of forest fires. This proactive stance on forest management is seen as essential for protecting one of Portugal's most iconic landscapes. The work is expected to proceed in stages, with the initial clearing paving the way for the planting season. Further details on the project timeline and specific intervention zones will be made available by Parques de Sintra.
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