South West of Portugal has been under growing pressure following recent tourism boom and the emergent greenhouse sector that produce red berries. The underground water supply is running low; an issue that has been worsened by lack of governmental limits set for uptake allowance.

The ecosystem is defined by a sharp difference from hillsides to the narrow meandering lowlands. Lush green deciduous trees and grasslands, usually grazed or used for intensive agricultural systems, contrast with resinous shrubs and cork oak trees, where the wildflower meadows last just for a couple of weeks in April with drought setting in thereafter.

The site is set in a valley with an existing water collection basin, retained by an over-engineered artificial damn. Water at present is topped up naturally by surface water run-off. Design work is in process for the enlargement of this water feature with focus on water surface level stabilisation and adjustment of contours for water retainment. The existing vegetation is rather stunning; the first time we visited hundreds of green wing orchids (Anacamptis morio) greeted us. Sages mark, like a green ribbon, areas where water runs to from surrounding hills, making their way towards the lowlands.