Professor at the University of Coimbra and general coordinator of the Serralves Park, Helena Freitas, has become the new scientific coordinator of the Estrela Geopark, located in Manteigas, Guarda district, as announced this Thursday.
In a statement sent to Lusa, the Estrela UNESCO Global Geopark says that Helena Freitas replaces Gonçalo Vieira, professor at the Institute of Geography and Spatial Planning of the University of Lisbon, scientific coordinator between 2016 and 2023, who left the post “of his own free will.”
Geopark Estrela emphasizes that Gonçalo Vieira leaves his post “after the decisive cycle of the UNESCO classification of the Serra da Estrela and the reconfirmation of this award in 2023 with a maximum score of 1000 points.”
In a conversation with the Lusa agency, Helena Freitas emphasized that the Estrela Geopark is a project that she has nurtured and followed with great interest since its inception. “I have always understood that structuring is taking place in this territory with the potential to unite a group of municipalities that have a very strong territorial matrix.”
The new scientific coordinator emphasizes that she has followed and participated in several events and that she will “always be with the Geopark under any circumstances.”
“I will do the same, but now with the responsibility to participate more formally in the success and construction process of the geopark together with UNESCO,” he emphasized.
As Helena Freitas takes on her new responsibilities, she argues that this is “an opportunity to be more present” and “to help continue on the positive path that has been taken, and now perhaps value more the education and science components of sustainability.”
The University of Coimbra professor notes that there may be “more meaningful” activities in environmental education, sustainability education and climate education projects.
The new Scientific Coordinator holds a PhD in Ecology and is Professor in Biodiversity and Ecology at the University of Coimbra, Coordinator of the UNESCO Chair in Biodiversity and Conservation for Development, Coordinator of the Center for Functional Ecology and Scientific Research. Coordinator of the Plant Health Laboratory of the Pedro Nunez Institute.
Estrela Geopark also highlights that Helena Freitas sits on the Mission Board for Climate Change Adaptation of the European Commission and is the Portuguese Focal Point for the United Nations Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services.
Estrela Geopark, classified by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) since July 2020, has an area of 2,216 square kilometers (km2) and belongs to nine municipalities in the districts of Guarda, Castelo Branco and Coimbra (Belmonte, Celorico da Beira, Covilhã, Fornos de Algodres, Gouveia, Guarda, Manteigas, Seia and Oliveira do Hospital).
UNESCO Global Geoparks aim to enhance the value and conservation of geological heritage through education, science and sustainable tourism, as well as the development of territorial development strategies. There are currently 195 geoparks in the world, five of which are in Portugal.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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