Escola da Natureza: LIPOR and bp Portugal join forces to promote biodiversity

The Escola da Natureza (Nature’s School) was inaugurated yesterday, an innovative project by LIPOR supported by bp Portugal, designed to promote the values of nature, strengthen environmental awareness and contributing to the preservation and enhancement of natural capital.

Located on the banks of the River Tinto, this initiative was created in a territory with special significance. An area once used as a landfill has now been returned to the community and transformed into a living space for learning, regeneration and connection with nature.

According to António Silva Tiago, President of LIPOR: "Because more than transforming waste into resources, it is about caring for the life that is reborn. That is why we are pursuing a clear path to place preservation and development of natural capital at the centre of LIPOR’s strategy, our B Side – the Biodiversity Side.”

Silvia Barata, President of bp Portugal, states: "It was precisely this dimension of environmental recovery and positive impact that led bp Portugal to support this project, in line with our sustainability goals, namely by collaborating with other entities to help restore biodiversity.”

The Escola da Natureza is a space dedicated to environmental awareness and experiential learning, where visitors of all ages can explore and understand the importance of natural ecosystems. The project included the renaturalisation and restoration of a forested area through nature‑based solutions, the creation of an off‑road and sensory trail, biodiversity observation points and the installation of shelters for wildlife.

Renaturalisation work took place during 2025 across a total area of 3.5 hectares that included the plantation of 1,436 native trees such as cork oaks, oaks and willows.

More than a physical space, the Escola da Natureza offers a transformative experience. It aims to bring the community closer to nature through sensory and educational immersion, fostering confidence, self‑esteem and respect for the natural environment. Through interactive activities, the project encourages responsible behaviour and promotes greater awareness of the impact of human actions on biodiversity, inspiring more sustainable practices aligned with the LIPOR Lifestyle.

The Escola da Natureza is born precisely from this experience: a way of living our B Side, the biodiversity side, where nature is not explained, it is lived.

This space is expected to become a reference for environmental education in Portugal, promoting an immersive and innovative learning model with a positive impact on future generations.

This joint collaboration reinforces the commitment of LIPOR and bp Portugal to environmental and social responsibility, demonstrating how collaboration can help build more conscious, resilient and sustainable communities.