A better world starts here

This is the fourth year that Fátima Monteiro, 38, has been in charge of Ecoteca de Olhão. The balance is positive. “In the beginning, it really was difficult to start winning the public over. But now, we get a lot of satisfaction creating the activities as people actually come looking for them. They’re interested! We can see that we’re working for the community”, she explains.

Of the initial network, established from 1997, there are currently three ‘ecotecas’ in Portugal: in Olhão, Serras de Aires e Candeeiros, and Macedo de Cavaleiros. Curiously, in the Azores, there are eight.

“The idea is that children enjoy learning here. We tell them stories, organise games, explain our thematic exhibitions, watch films. Everything to create an enriching experience so that they don’t forget the message”, the coordinator tells.

Under the terms of a protocol agreed by the Ministries of Education and Environment, each Ecoteca has as coordinator a teacher requisitioned for special duties. The advantage is that these professionals are “much closer” to the teaching requirements in schools. The disadvantage is job-insecurity. All Fátima knows is that she has a job until 31st August. “It’s the same every year – and it limits us, because we cannot develop a plan with any great depth”, she laments.

The work with schools is increasingly sought after, and a collaborative effort. “We construct projects with the teachers, at the beginning of each school year, depending on the themes and subjects that they’re interested in exploring”. The children’s activities are all offered free of charge.

But, at the same time, logistics are a huge problem. “We’ve seen that more and more schools from other boroughs in the Algarve have difficulties organising transport. They’re interested, but they just can’t get here”, she explains with a degree of frustration.

Nonetheless, in 2009, they had a total of 7.059 visitors – the majority of which came from primary schools (58 per cent of the total number of visitors last year). They also accept pre-school children (20 per cent), secondary schools and the public in general (7 per cent).

A teacher of Visual Education and Technology, Monteiro tells how Ecoteca makes sure that they have something for adults nearly every month.

But with limited resources and no budget, simply making their premises available is often the basis of the dynamic. “What we do is invite people to come and speak/ educate the public in general. Of course often lecturers come from far afield and people interested in participating need to pay for the activities”, she explains.

Such is the case of the first activity for 2010. On Saturday 23rd of this month, German instructor Clare Kundert will be starting a practical course on Biodynamic Agriculture. It takes place on 23rd and 30th January, and 20th and 27th February – all days from 10am to 1pm, and from 2pm to 5pm.

It’ll be an intensive course consisting of a series of four workshops designed to teach the various processes for creating gardens and allotments. Each workshop will have practical and theoretical aspects, included in a basic manual to be given to each participant.

Biodynamic Agriculture is a derivative that considers Earth to be a living entity and makes use of Nature’s strengths and rhythmic energies. It’s this that distinguishes it from other forms of agriculture.

Clare Kundert will talk about soil and good cultivation practices, the role of the Moon and its connection with plants, composting, the control of bugs and diseases, the choice of seeds, and other issues.

This particular course costs 120 euros – and Kundert hopes to find ways of helping anyone interested in taking part so that they are not excluded for financial difficulties. One way of helping, for instance, would be exchanging services for the course.

For the 2010 programme, there are also events that don’t cost anything. “We welcome people who are interested in talking about their work/ area of interest, and who, for this reason, charge no fee”, Monteiro continues.

For example, talks, book presentations, concerts by emerging bands. As Monteiro explains, Ecoteca’s doors are always open to cultural or scientific initiatives – and all ideas are always welcome.

Another ‘for instance’, is the case of Pedro Soares’ lecture «Learning to take from solar energy». He will be giving advice on the potential of new heating technologies, and on the generation of electrical energy. Unusually, this particular initiative will take place outside Ecoteca at Olhão’s Francisco Fernandes Lopes secondary school, on 21st January at 7.30pm.

And thinking of families, on 6th March there is a workshop entitled «Culinária colorida para pais e filhos» (Colourful cooking for parents and children). “Sometimes we keep children away from “dangers to children” – but if we involve them in safety, it’s possible to create a more affectionate relationship with food”. The teacher in this case is German Christiane Grimm, backed by her seven-year-old daughter. She has a special interest in solar ovens, which will be used if there’s enough time.

The Storytelling Festival, organised by the ARCA cultural association of Faro, will also go ahead at Ecotecta in April – and the following month, there’ll be another edition of «Framboesa, feira de encontros e ideias» (the “Raspberry Fair of Meetings and Ideas”). “The idea here is that people can turn up spontaneously and exchange objects like books, clothes, toys – anything they like. It’s a way of taking something new home – without the habitual consumerism”.

Maybe Ecoteca’s most ambitious project, about to be launched, is their «Limpar o mar» (Clean the Sea) campaign. “We’re involving fishermen – and during the time the initiative lasts, they’ll be invited to bring us the rubbish they catch in their nets. Particularly, the trawling nets”, Fátima explains.

Finally, in June there’ll be the fourth edition of the «Sabor Solar» (Solar taste) contest – a gastronomic social event for fans of solar ovens to show their techniques and recipes.

Ecoteca comes about through an agreement between three entities – the ICNB (the Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e da Biodiversidade, which owns the building), the Olhão municipality (which provide two functionaries and support) and the Portuguese Environmental Agency (APA).

To find it, follow the EN 125 in the direction towards Tavira, and turn towards the Olhão/ Marim campsite. Keep on going and then turn left on the road that runs parallel with the train tracks, immediately after the level crossing.

Ecoteca is open Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 12.30pm and then from 2.30pm to 5.30pm. For more information, call 289 700 940 or email: Email

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