Biodiversity Pic-Nic in Portugal

8 June 2010. At the end of May Quercus, a Portuguese environmental NGO, organized a Pan-European Biodiversity Pic-Nic in Rosario (Moita), Portugal.

The Pic-Nic included a seminar on biodiversity in Portugal and an exhibition on projects and efforts by the Municipality of Moita in conserving its natural wealth.

The seminar featured presentations on the importance of the services provided by biodiversity and ecosystems, the knowledge gaps in monitoring and research, as well as the contribution of the projects developed by Quercus to conserving biodiversity in Portugal. The need for better approaches to tackling the drivers of biodiversity loss, and a SWOT analysis of biodiversity conservation in Portugal were some of the main topics discussed. Debates also focused on the role of business in biodiversity protection.

The event was held at the former Oyster Cleaning Station of Tagus, which has recently been renovated. The venue symbolizes the importance of biodiversity loss and is a reminder of the disappearance of a highly valued resource, the Portuguese Oyster (Crassostrea angulata). The species vanished in 1960s due to high levels of water pollution. The venue also represents the beauty of biodiversity as Moita is located on the left shore of the Tagus Estuary, which is one of the most important estuaries in Western Europe for aquatic birds.

The Pan-European Biodiversity Pic-Nic has taken place every year since 2007 in numerous countries across Central and Eastern Europe. It is a multi-stakeholder initiative launched by the NGO network CEEWeb for Biodiversity, a Countdown 2010 partner based in Hungary. The initiative aims to raise awareness, and to strengthen the commitment of policy makers, the media, businesses, local governments, and other stakeholders on the importance of protecting and restoring biodiversity. It is supported by UNEP Regional Office of Europe and by participating countries and stakeholders.
  

• Watch the Portuguese national TV-broadcast on the Pic-Nic (in Portuguese)
• Read more about the Pic-Nic
• Quercus on Countdown 2010 website
• CEEWeb for Biodiversity on Countdown 2010 website