Revitalising the ‘Olho’: A Community Vision for Lanheses

On January 24th, representatives from WWF Portugal gathered approximately 25 people at the Parish Council in Lanheses for a participatory session to introduce the Eco Placemaking event, to be held in March at the same location.

After a presentation on representativeness, rural action, and ecology as local identity, participants worked in small groups to develop potential solutions for interventions in the village's public space.

Of the 12 ideas presented, four were designed for the ‘Olho’ (Eye), which is the river and rainwater retention channel that crosses Lanheses and separates the alluvial agricultural plain from the other higher fields. It once served as a drain for domestic effluents, but today it is regenerating naturally and is a place of ecological importance where birds and even otters inhabit.

It was held informally and was a highly successful session of cooperation, thanks to the facilitation and support of the Parish Council and the participants. 

On 21 March, what we dreamed of and voted for will happen: a day dedicated to the revitalisation of the ‘Olho’ with the help of experts and connoisseurs of the area in question.