Restoration and Recovery of the Meia Praia Dune System
#Lagos
#Reabilitação e Recuperação do Cordão Dunar da Meia Praia
The main objective of the Meia Praia Dune Strand Rehabilitation and Recovery project, developed by the Municipality of Lagos and co-financed by the ERDF, was to preserve and protect one of the Algarve's most emblematic coastal areas, guaranteeing the ecological sustainability of the area and mitigating the effects of coastal erosion and climate change.
The dune cordon is a fundamental natural barrier that protects the beach and the surrounding ecosystem from storms and rising sea levels. The intervention included the removal of invasive species, revegetation with native species, the installation of wooden palisades and walkways to regulate access and prevent trampling of the vegetation, and the creation of environmental and educational signage to raise awareness among residents, schools and tourists.
The project promoted the ecological rehabilitation of the dune system, ensuring the stabilisation of the sands, the reinforcement of biodiversity and the protection of people and infrastructure. At the same time, it promoted environmental education and responsible tourism, encouraging the adoption of sustainable behaviour and respect for coastal ecosystems.
This good practice has been recognised internationally, with Lagos winning 3rd place in the Green Destinations Top 100 Story Awards 2024, in the Nature and Landscape category, and the QualityCoast "Gold" certification, for its advances in nature conservation and local sustainability. The project reflects the municipality's commitment to climate action, environmental education and integrated coastal management, contributing to a more resilient and sustainable Algarve.





Impacts
- Aumento da literacia ambiental e da consciência ecológica entre residentes e turistas
- 28Painéis educativos instaladosTarget4 ● 6Universal literacy and numeracy
- Envolvimento ativo de escolas e alunos na preservação dos ecossistemas costeiros
- 600Estudantes envolvidos anualmente em atividades pedagógicasTarget4 ● 7Education for sustainable development and global citizenship
- Desenvolvimento de competências de cidadania ambiental nas camadas mais jovens
- 2Campanhas anuais de sensibilizaçãoTarget4 ● 7Education for sustainable development and global citizenship
- Valorização ambiental e requalificação urbana da frente costeira
- 59ha de cordão dunar recuperadosTarget11 ● 4Protect the world's cultural and natural heritage
- Criação de espaços acessíveis e seguros para todos os cidadãos
- 6.162m de passadiços inclusivos para pessoas com mobilidade reduzidaTarget11 ● 3Inclusive and sustainable urbanization
- Promoção da mobilidade suave e da inclusão social
- 14suportes para bicicletasTarget11 ● 3Inclusive and sustainable urbanization
- Melhoria da experiência turística e da qualidade de vida local
- 89Ecopontos e papeleiras instaladosTarget11 ● 6Reduce the environmental impacts of cities
- Redução da vulnerabilidade costeira e mitigação da erosão
- 1,4%Redução nas zonas de erosão ativaTarget13 ● 1Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related disasters
- Aumento da resiliência física e ecológica da faixa litoral
- 1.780m de paliçadas instaladasTarget13 ● 1Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related disasters
- Regeneração de ecossistemas degradados
- 30.000m² de espécies invasoras removidasTarget15 ● 1Conserve and restore terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems
- Criação de sinergias entre entidades públicas, privadas e educativas
- 80Voluntários envolvidos anualmente em ações de manutenção e sensibilizaçãoTarget17 ● 17Encourage effective partnerships
- Melhoria do bem-estar físico e emocional da população através do usufruto de um espaço natural
- 1.141.176Visitantes per yearTarget3 ● 4Reduce mortality from non-communicable diseases and promote mental health
Good practice information