Since 14 June, the municipality of Castro Verde is the 11th Biosphere Reserve in Portugal to be registered in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Biosphere Reserve Network and the first South of the Tagus River.

Promoted by the Municipality of Castro Verde, the Association of Farmers of the Campo Branco (AACB) and the League for the Protection of Nature (LPN), the preparation of the application implied the dynamization of a process of community participation and construction, initiated in the year of 2013, which culminated in the submission of the application dossier signed by the Portuguese State in September 2016 at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris.

On the basis of this, Castro Verde was a "Humanized Ecosystem of High Natural Value", where the compatibility of agricultural activity with nature conservation has resulted in the maintenance of the largest cereal area in Portugal. Created by centuries-old practices of extensive agriculture, this landscape has led to the formation of a rich mosaic of habitats, where, among other species, birds such as the bustard, the bustard and the kestrel of the towers occur.

This symbiosis between Man and the environment that surrounds him has defined what is the way of being and being of this territory and affirms an identity of its own, that differentiates and is the brand of Castro Verde. This UNESCO award is thus synonymous with differentiation for quality and excellence and confers the potential of worldwide publicity and visibility.

Attributed under the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Program, this classification distinguishes territorial areas of protection of natural resources and aims to create management models that unite public authorities, private and local populations, Through dialogue, exchange of knowledge, improvement of well-being, respect for cultural values, sustainable economic and human development.

In short, it is a recognition of the work developed over decades, which will bring new challenges, foster local dynamics and networking, improve the quality of life of local populations and sustainable economic and social development of this territory .

The work that LPN has been developing in Castro Verde for more than 25 years in the protection of the steppe biodiversity, which has in these plains its main population stronghold, contributed to achieve this important recognition.

This was decisive for the commitment of the LPN members, who over the years have supported the association in this commitment, namely in the acquisition and management of the 1812 hectares of land that have now been integrated into the Core Areas of this Biosphere Reserve, as well as in the activities Sensitization through the Environmental Education Center of Vale Gonçalinho.

On June 21, at 7:30 p.m., a Ceremony Session of the classification of Castro Verde as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve will be held in Castro Verde, open to the public and to which all members of the LPN are invited.