EVOA - Tagus Estuary Birdwatching and Conservation Area has today been recognised as one of the world’s best wetland visitor centres. Their success was announced at the Conference of the global Wetlands Convention, known as Rasmar COP14, underway in Geneva, Switzerland.

“The judges were particularly struck by the accessibility of EVOA, including not just mobility but facilitating a wide range of languages” says Chris Rostron, the Head of WLI and leader of the Star awards process. “The centre provides for ages from kindergarten to adult, and gives them all a rich experience grounded in science.”

EVOA offers several birdwatching activities, with sessions or private and group tours, following the tides or even at night (including a citizen science activity, which aims to count owls at night), workshops and small events, including cultural activities .

For Companhia das Lezírias, the attribution of this award to EVOA, one of its areas, is the recognition of 10 long years of dedication and investment and the constant commitment to make visitors aware of the importance of the Tagus Estuary for birds and people. , hoping that this award will promote a growing awareness of citizens regarding environmental issues, in particular the problem of water, and at the same time serve as an incentive to attract more visitors, both national and international, and above all the school community, to a space emblematic in terms of nature and biodiversity, right outside Lisbon.

With an activity increasingly focused on sustainability – a motto that has been applied in all areas of activity – Companhia das Lezírias has encouraged research and conservation, supporting the most diverse national, European and global projects, seeking to integrate and share knowledge , experiences and knowledge in the search for the best practices of environmental preservation and dynamism.

The Star Wetland Centre Award is a new initiative to recognise best practice in eco-tourism and education at wetlands. It is coordinated by Wetland Link International (WLI), a support network for staff and volunteers at 300 wetland visitor centres.