12 February 2026
Kids in the Hills: discovering and connecting with nature, the landscape and the identity of the Douro International Natural Park
Environmental education session. Practice as a key tool for creating strong bonds with nature. Photo: Palombar.
At the end of November 2025, Palombar organised several activities as part of the “Miúdos pelo Monte” (Kids in the Hills) project, whose main objective is to raise awareness and involve new generations in discovering and appreciating the nature of the Douro International Natural Park (PNDI), reinforcing their sense of belonging and connection to the identity of the territory, as well as increasing knowledge about the Natura 2000 Network, the main instrument for nature and biodiversity conservation in Europe.
“Miúdos pelo Monte” is an environmental education project promoted by the PNDI Co-management Committee, of which Palombar is a member as representative of environmental non-governmental organisations, and led by the Associação de Municípios do Douro Superior (Association of Municipalities of the Upper Douro), with funding from the NORTE 2030 programme.
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The power of touch in understanding nature and a sense of belonging
As the guest organisation responsible for carrying out the activities of this project, Palombar promoted, between 20 and 28 November 2025, several environmental education sessions in school groups in Mogadouro, Miranda do Douro and Freixo de Espada à Cinta, involving a total of 115 4th-year students, teachers and teaching assistants. The sessions were conducted by Palombar's Environmental Education technician Sara Freire.
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The environmental education sessions took place in the classroom to introduce the topics covered, which focused on forests and associated biodiversity. After the theory, the practice took place with activities to explore the territory of the Douro International Natural Park, touching and discovering what surrounds us, the environment of which we are a part and which gives us a unique identity.
Forests are much more than trees
During the sessions and exploratory activities, the students discovered that forests are much more than trees: they provide vital services for all of us, such as air purification, soil protection and shelter for countless species. And they also have a special superpower: they activate the imagination, make us feel better, with a sense of fulfilment and belonging to the environment that is also part of us.
They also discovered that the Douro International Natural Park protects and values the forests, the landscape and the people who live in this unique territory that we want to conserve because we belong to it and depend on it.
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Proximity management, more participatory, collaborative and mobilising
The PNDI Co-management Committee was created within the framework of the Co-management Model for protected areas, coordinated by the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF), with the aim of promoting proximity management that is more participatory, collaborative and mobilising in these areas.
“Miúdos pelo Monte” is an environmental education project promoted by the PNDI Co-management Committee, of which Palombar is a member as representative of environmental non-governmental organisations, and led by the Associação de Municípios do Douro Superior (Association of Municipalities of the Upper Douro), with funding from the NORTE 2030 programme.
Environmental education sessions had theoretical and practical components and involved 4th-year students from school groups in Mogadouro, Miranda do Douro, and Freixo de Espada à Cinta. Photo: Palombar.
The power of touch in understanding nature and a sense of belonging
As the guest organisation responsible for carrying out the activities of this project, Palombar promoted, between 20 and 28 November 2025, several environmental education sessions in school groups in Mogadouro, Miranda do Douro and Freixo de Espada à Cinta, involving a total of 115 4th-year students, teachers and teaching assistants. The sessions were conducted by Palombar's Environmental Education technician Sara Freire.
Natural elements such as leaves, branches, acorns, and pinecones from native species were used to spark students' curiosity, senses, and understanding of nature. Photo: Palombar.
Touch and discover, feel to learn better. Photo: Palombar.
The environmental education sessions took place in the classroom to introduce the topics covered, which focused on forests and associated biodiversity. After the theory, the practice took place with activities to explore the territory of the Douro International Natural Park, touching and discovering what surrounds us, the environment of which we are a part and which gives us a unique identity.
Forests are much more than trees
During the sessions and exploratory activities, the students discovered that forests are much more than trees: they provide vital services for all of us, such as air purification, soil protection and shelter for countless species. And they also have a special superpower: they activate the imagination, make us feel better, with a sense of fulfilment and belonging to the environment that is also part of us.
They also discovered that the Douro International Natural Park protects and values the forests, the landscape and the people who live in this unique territory that we want to conserve because we belong to it and depend on it.
Motivated students asked many questions and actively participated. Photo: Palombar.
Proximity management, more participatory, collaborative and mobilising
The PNDI Co-management Committee was created within the framework of the Co-management Model for protected areas, coordinated by the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF), with the aim of promoting proximity management that is more participatory, collaborative and mobilising in these areas.