The DRYAD coordination team from the University of A Coruña is conducting a major technical visit this week across the project’s demonstration and replication regions. The team has travelled to Alentejo (Demonstration Region 3) and Extremadura (Demonstration Region 2) and now they are visitng Castilla y León (Replication Region 1) to assess the on-site progress of nature-based solutions (NbS) implementation and to strengthen collaboration with regional partners and stakeholders. This week’s agenda is focused on technical progress, stakeholder co-creation, and external synergies with sister projects and NetworkNature.
Day 1 – January 19: Lisbon and technical kick-off
The visit began in Lisbon with coordination meetings at LNEG, where the team discussed project management issues including delays in hiring. Later, a technical workshop at the Instituto Superior de Agronomia with LNEG, ISA and IST-ID reviewed the work in the project’s pilot demonstration areas in Alentejo. Presentations covered monitoring networks, field data acquisition and performance indicators for artificial ponds, early detection of tree mortality, and wildfire prevention NbSs. The workshop helped align the technical work across partners and set the basis for field visits in the following days.
Day 2 – January 20: Field visit to Companhia das Lezírias PDA and meetings in Évora
The second day focused on a field visit to one of the Pilot Demonstration Areas in Alentejo, Companhia das Lezírias, where the team inspected NbS actions including carbon modelling, biochar application and habitat islands. Later, in Évora, meetings with stakeholder partners CCDR-Alentejo and UNAC explored regional NbS priorities, the organisation of upcoming project events, and the involvement of stakeholders in future activities. Discussions also highlighted the importance of maintaining strong regional coordination to ensure effective implementation and monitoring.
Day 3 – January 21: Vila Viçosa PDA and travel to Extremadura
In Vila Viçosa, the other PDA of Alentejo, the team reviewed installed sensors and modelling work in the field, validating progress in monitoring and data collection. In the afternoon, the team travelled to Badajoz, marking the start of the visit to the DR2 demonstration region in Extremadura. The day ended with a visit to La Albuera and meetings with the University of Extremadura and FEDEHESA to align on next steps and to ensure that the region’s NbS implementation continues to move forward in a coordinated manner.
Day 4 – January 22: NbS sites across Extremadura
The fourth day included visits to PDAs in Badajoz and Plasencia, focusing on monitoring technologies and land management practices such as rotational grazing. The team assessed the implementation status of the region’s solutions and identified opportunities to strengthen monitoring and stakeholder involvement, reinforcing the project’s commitment to co-creation and long-term sustainability.
Day 5 – January 23: Replication region RR1 in Castilla y León
The mission finish today in Castilla y León with a visit to the Sardón PDA, where the UDC team and FPNCyL are reviewing monitoring systems, data collection procedures and hydrogeological features. The day also aims to define replication strategies for the region, reinforcing coordination and support for local implementation before returning to A Coruña.
This technical visit has reinforced collaboration among DRYAD partners and has set the foundation for the project’s communication and dissemination activities planned for 2026. Thanks to all partners LNEG, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Instituto Superior Técnico, CCDR-Alentejo, Companhia das Lezírias, UNAC, University of Extremadura, FEDEHESA and FPNCyL for your collaboration, work and support across the different regions.
Stay tuned for the outcomes of this week’s meetings and the next steps in DRYAD’s implementation.
