10th edition of the Observanatura Fair at Herdade da Mourisca

The 10^th edition of the Observanatura Fair, organized by the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests, I.P., Setúbal Municipality and Tróia-Natura, will be held from September 28^th to the 30^th, with the support of various public and private entities and non-governmental environmental organizations.

The opening session will take place at 2:00 pm on September 28^th at Herdade da Mourisca, and will be attended by the Secretary of State for Regional Planning and Nature Conservation, Célia Ramos, and the Secretary of State for Tourism, Ana Mendes Godinho.

ObservaNatura will hold activities centred on Herdade da Mourisca, which incorporates the Sado Estuary Natural Reserve and is a mere 6 km from Setúbal. But, for the first time, it will extend its activities outside the Herdade (Estate), highlighting the Casa da Baía, Albarquel and Troy, as points of reference. In order to enjoy all the spaces where this edition’s various activities will take place, free transfers to the different places will be available. The stop at the Setúbal train station is worth mentioning, as it will bring visitors from Lisbon who chose this means of transportation.

Regarding to the last two ObservaNatura editions, each fair was attended by approximately 2500 people and nearly 80 exhibitors, and held over 50 lectures or workshops. Available activities ranged from boating in the estuary or riding hot-air captive balloons, bird watching hikes, stand-up paddle and kayak baptisms, horse-drawn carriage rides, horseback riding, birdwatching and identification, identification and observation of other species (especially insects and aromatic plants), as well as voluntary cleaning activities in areas adjacent to Herdade da Mourisca.

Entry is free, and the fair will be open on the 28^th from 12 a.m. to 7 p.m., the 29^th (Saturday) and the 30^th (Sunday) between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. It has a vast program, aimed at all age groups, offering lectures, workshops, mini courses, bird and plant observation, environmental education workshops and ring sessions, tours and activities, by land and on the Sado river.

This year, once again, the Natural.PT brand will be emphasized, with 34 exhibitors present. The goal is to make products and services from protected areas associated with the brand known to the public. This year, the third edition of the Natural Award 2018 will also take place.

For further information about the program and how to register for over four dozen activities, visit www.observanatura.com