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Description
Hello, nice you find us here. My name is Frank. Together with my son I went to Portugal in 2020 to pursue my dream of reforesting former agricultural land. We plant domestic trees to restore biodiversity, to reduce CO2 and to combat desertification.
Recently, on 30 June 2025, a large part of our land was destroyed by fire, so we are urgently looking for Workawayers who are willing to help us with the restoration. Our young plantings of native tree species were not affected. This is one of the reasons why I believe that reforestation is the best way to prevent a recurrence. After all, trees can store water and a closed canopy ensures a constantly humid microclimate.
Our activities are non-profit. All proceeds from the land, such as from our olive trees, are used for planting trees.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Interests
Vegetarian or vegan
Sustainability
Pets
Events & social
Culture
Charity work
Plant care
Music
History
Gardening
Art & design
Architecture
Animals
Cycling
Yoga / Wellness
Nature
Hiking
Outdoor activities
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
An additional goal is to create a vibrant community of tree planters (os Plantadores) in a historic, almost extinct town in the Portuguese Coa Valley, known for its world-famous rock carvings listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, connecting people with each other and with the unspoilt nature in a Natura 2000 area.
Help
Planting, maintenance and irrigation of native trees, help with light construction of permaculture facilities, such as ponds and swales.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Dutch: Fluent
German: Intermediate
French: Beginner
Portuguese: Beginner
Accommodation
Simple single and double rooms with shared kitchen, living room and bathroom. Camping space in the great outdoors for tents, caravans and motorhomes.
Our volunteers usually help less than 25 hours per week, but we always provide a good lunch, including vegetarian and vegan options. After all, good food is the foundation of good work!
Our guesthouse has a fully equipped kitchen where volunteers can cook together. The village has an abundance of fresh vegetables, herbs and tea available from local farmers.
What else ...
Walking and cycling in nature, swimming in two rivers, visiting historical sites and the Douro Valley with its famous wine and olive groves, visiting the rock art museum. Making music.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
A good Starlink internet connection is available.
Space for parking camper vans
The municipality made special facilities for campers, like a toilet building and water connection. There is more than enough place to park.
Can possibly accept pets
Yes.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
My animals / pets
Hoppy (3 years)
Some just hop in for a quick visit...
Griffy (5 years)
Dozens of Griffon Vultures, a few Bonelli Eagles, Golden Eagles and Egyptian Vultures live in the Coa Valley, watching our work from above. The photo shows around thirty vultures gathered on our land.
Sluggy (3 years)
Workers with mobile homes are welcome too...
Birds (4 years)
Many birds feel at home here and have built their nests where Poes cannot reach them.
Sheep and daughter (4 years)
There are three flocks of sheep in the ancient town of Cidadelhe. In our old quinta, you will almost always find newborn lambs.
Apie
Apie (here with Casper, on the right in the photo) is the latest stray dog to arrive. A year ago, she was waiting for us at the edge of the village with her backpack, jumped into the car and decided never to return to the hunters who had abandoned her. Since then, she has become friends with everyone, even Poes. She is the mascot of all the field workers.
Casper (1 year)
Casper is one of Guarda's ten children and decided to stay with us. He is a real young dog, curious and playful and great friends with Apie.
Guarda (4 years)
Guarda is a very sweet rescue dog (here on the left in the photo with her son Casper and Joop). She arrived at our place in January 2024, heavily pregnant, and gave birth to ten healthy puppies a few weeks later. All of them have now found loving homes in the Netherlands and Portugal. She had probably been wandering around the area for several years and is therefore very streetwise and able to fend for herself in the wild.
Joop (8 years)
Joop is the unelected leader of the pack. He was born on the Dutch island of Texel and has been living in Portugal for almost four years. Joop mainly guards his toys and his right to always be the first of the four to get his food.
Poes (18 years)
Poes official name is Lodewijk Napoleon. He is and old soul that rules over our pack. My four dogs respect Poes, because he is a natural leader. He owns about 2.000 m2 garden and he has sharp nails.
