Spea and the Volunteering Tour Azores 2011

The Volunteering Tour Azores in 2011 will be held on 7, 8 and 9 October in S. Miguel, in Ponta Delgada. This tour will take place in the Salão of São José and in the Campo de São Francisco from 10h to 20h Friday and at 11h to 20h in the remaining days. This is an organization of the Regional Government and SPEA associated with it with a stand where you can find information about the work that is being developed in the Azores.

SPEA receives annually volunteers from Portugal and other European countries, volunteers that are seeking work-related causes in the environment and conservation, including the flora and fauna in Portugal.

It is in this light that SPEA participates in the Tour Volunteer Azores in 2011, taking the opportunity to show its work while raising volunteers for their causes.

The European Year of Volunteering (AEV) is both a celebration and a challenge. It is a celebration of the commitment of millions of Europeans who volunteer, leisure, work for free in their communities. The efforts of these volunteers and several thousand volunteer organizations are in many ways, a huge difference in our lives. The world would be worse off without volunteers! The AEV is also a challenge for three quarters of EU citizens who do not participate in any voluntary activity.

SPEA has developed several projects in which volunteers are key: the Census of Buzzards, the Common Birds Census, the Atlas of wintering birds, the Priolo Atlas, among others. Volunteers can also collaborate on projects of various tasks such as LIFE Sanctuary Islands for seabirds and LIFE Sustainable Laurel , making an important contribution to the conservation of important habitats and species of the Azores.

SPEA partner in SOS Shearwater Campaign

Like what happened in previous years, was launched the SOS Shearwater Campaign which will run until November. The campaign runs in the Azores since 1995, and has as main objective to involve the people and entities in the rescue of the young Cory's Shearwaters (Calonectris diomedea) found on the roads and in close proximity. This is an initiative that has enjoyed the support of SPEA, particularly in so-called night brigades that run through several areas in search of young Cory's Shearwaters.

SOS Shearwater Campaign also aims to alert the Azorean population to the need for preserving this protected species which nests in the Azores.

Aiming to raise awareness of the most appropriate care when faced with situations of glare and trampling of young Cory's Shearwaters, the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and the Sea is undertaking various activities to raise awareness and environmental education in collaboration with various entities in the region.

The Environmental Services of Island, promote and organize information sessions in conjunction with partners and employees, rescue brigades on the ground to collect the young Cory's Shearwaters to release the next morning. This campaign has throughout the Region with the support of hundreds of volunteers, including firefighters, police, scouts, schools and many other volunteers.

In addition to the disclosure, the SPEA has streamlined this campaign, primarily on the island of Corvo, where it runs the project for the Sanctuary Islands for Seabirds, and near the population of Povoação and Nordeste of São Miguel, the intervention area of ​​Project LIFE Sustainable Laurel.