Reclaiming the Leiria Pine Forest
In the thirteenth century, King Alfonso III ordered the planting of a vast pine forest to shield the royal city of Leiria and its surrounding farmlands from the encroachment of dunes and wind-blown sand. Over 700 years, the forest grew into the Leiria Pine Forest, a national treasure spanning more than 11,000 hectares. It is a living monument that sheltered wildlife and supplied the sturdy wood used to build Portugal’s legendary caravels during the Age of Discovery.
The forest survived for centuries, but in October 2017, a wildfire driven by fierce winds and drought ripped through 86% of it in just 24 hours, reducing centuries of natural and human history to ash. Only 1,500 hectares survived — the fragile remnants of a forest that is integral to the nation’s landscape and identity.
Spanning a rare dune-and-lagoon ecosystem along Portugal’s Atlantic coast, the forest’s equilibrium — a delicate balance between resinous trees and shifting sands — was severely disrupted. While Leiria’s iconic Maritime pine trees were heavily hit, the fire also scorched its "hidden" forest: rich scrubland and river corridors that sheltered some of Portugal's most treasured endemic species.
A Landscape on the Road to Wildfire Recovery
Before the fire, Leiria was a glorious old-growth forest that the people of Portugal’s Marinha Grande community returned to again and again. Stunning views, picnic spots, and natural water sources that could be found along the miles of trails provided rich opportunities to connect with nature. "Pinhal de Leiria is everything to me. It's not just a matter of nature, it's part of our identity that we cannot allow to disappear, and projects like Renature Leiria are already showing results." said Marinha Grande resident Florbela Martino.
Since 2022, One Tree Planted and its partners have been actively restoring the Pinhal de Leiria, planting 1.3 million native, fire-resilient trees across nearly 1,000 hectares to revive the region’s ecosystems and strengthen its defenses against future burns.
A balance of reforestation and natural regeneration, the initiative was designed to facilitate the return of more than 50 endemic tree and shrub species that work together to stabilize Leiria’s dunes, enrich its sandy soils, and sustain its ephemeral freshwater lakes. So far, the efforts have resulted in the return of the hardy Fire-tree (Myrica faya) and the Strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo), alongside the resilient Kermes oak (Quercus coccifera), Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis), and Laurustinus (Viburnum tinus). These species form the structural backbone of a healthy, fire-resilient forest.
As native vegetation returns, so too will endemic wildlife. At the same time, the growing trees are helping Portugal’s oldest planted forest once again serve as a bulwark against erosion, desertification, and the advancing edge of climate change. This work ensures:
- Enhanced Resilience: A diverse forest is a stronger forest that is better equipped to withstand future wildfires. By restoring endemic plant cover, we can strengthen the forest from the ground up, improving soil health, encouraging natural regeneration, and stabilizing its unique water systems.
- Ecosystem Services: From restoring nutrient cycles to recovering critical habitats, we are bringing back the full range of benefits this forest has historically provided.
- Habitat Connectivity: Restored wildlife corridors will allow local wildlife, including the Dartford Warbler (Sylvia undata - Near Threatened), Red-legged Partridge (Alectoris rufa - Near Threatened) and European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus - Endangered), to thrive and migrate safely.
- Long-term Management: By integrating natural and man-made firebreaks with continuous spatial and temporal monitoring, our planting partners and national authorities can proactively mitigate drought-related risks while maintaining consistent vegetation control.
Building Resilience in a Climate Change Hotspot
The community played an integral role in the restoration of this culturally sacred forest. Trees grew in local plant nurseries, local schools and volunteers were engaged in planting activities, and goods and materials were sourced locally. "Renature Leiria proved to be not just a reforestation effort, but also a truly meaningful educational experience, where students, with proper guidance, developed a first-hand understanding of the ecological and historical importance of the National Forest, becoming agents of hope in its restoration." said Cláudio Santos, a Teacher at Instituto Educativo do Juncal.
“After so much damage from wildfires and, more recently, storms, these efforts are even more important for restoring our natural heritage, bringing life back to the pine forest, and strengthening its role as a protective barrier for the city.” said Andreia Freixo, a Marinha Grande resident.
As they grow and mature, these 1.3 million trees will strengthen ecological resilience and climate adaptation in Leiria, while also reducing the community’s vulnerability to extreme shocks like wildfires. They will also help prevent the area from crossing a critical tipping point, where desertification becomes far more likely.
“It’s reassuring to see concrete actions being taken to preserve a place with so much history and meaning for the community," says Freixo.
"What we planted today will grow into a forest for future generations." added Miguel Jerónimo, a manager of the project.
