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A fascinating talk by Sue Butler Cole about an Amazonian Forest Project
Sue Butler-Cole gave a 30-minute talk about this Amazonian Forest Project the Biological Dynamics of Forest Fragments Project (BDFFP) where she had worked from late 1979 until early 1982. It was originally called the Minimum Critical Size of Ecosystems. This project was to identify the minimum critical size of a forest reserve so that there would be no loss of species. In the 1970’s there was a very ambitious Brazilian Government program of national park development in Amazonia, but the big question was whether these new parks were going to be large enough to protect all the species within them. In 1977 Dr. Thomas E. Lovejoy learned about the law stipulating that 50% of land purchased from the Government had to be left intact. He came up with a plan to isolate various sized forest reserves starting with 1 hectare up to 1,000 hectares and study the rate of species loss due to their isolation. In 1979 the WWF and the Brazilian National Institute for Amazon Research (INPA) set up the BDFFP project with the intention of finding answers to the debate about single large or several small reserves (SLOSS). After 45 years the project is still going strong because long term data statistics are so valuable and make it possible to answer questions which were not part of the original project design. To date the project has produced 140 PhD & Masters graduates (of which more than half are Brazilian) plus an enormous number of scientific publications.
See Wikipedia regarding:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SLOSS_debate
Biological Dynamics of Forest Fragments Project https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_Dynamics_of_Forest_Fragments_Project
Back to School
Castelo de Sonhos have started up their annual Back to School project. Silves Rotary Club always supports this project and members help where they can. This year Castelo de Sonhos have 60 children who need help with back packs and stationery to get ready for school in September. The poster below shows the things needed and where you can drop them off. Every little helps even if you can only give a few items, it all counts.
RC Silves Launches its New Environmental Focus
Our first meeting this Rotary year took place at the Convento Bio in Lagoa. A suitable venue for Silves Rotary Club as we add a new project to our agenda this year. Our Speaker Sónia Soares, a biologist, and a nature lover, with a master’s degree in ecology and environmental management is the face of the project “FlorestaNativa” and oversees a small Miyawaki forest in the Algarve. Sonia had a lot to tell us about her project and is interested in working with us to fulfill our goal this year of planting small forests or gardens to protect the environment and provide green spaces for the community.
Members and guests were excited by her ideas and a ready to work with her to make this project a success.
Ringing the bell for first time this year Fátima Guerreiro, Otelo Cabrita, Rainer and Sónia Soares
Friends from IRC Almancil Franco Pasotto Members Alan and Pam with Sian Elton
Maike with Nicole Lanier and Remy and Isabelle Roux Albrecht, Angelika & guest Carla Pita RC Portimao
A New Rotary Year
The last year has been a memorable year for Silves Rotary Club. We worked hard under our President Isabel Flores to help the community and to complete as many fundraising activities as possible. We started our year with the Back to school project closely followed by the completion of our walk to Santiago de Compostela raising 12,000€ for a sensory room and garden in Armaçao de Pêra School. With 10 primary school classes following us we could not fail. So much for them and us to learn.
On the run up to Christmas we worked closely with the Junta de Freguesia de Armação de Pêra and Classic Car Club of Barlavento to raise money to feed families in need over Christmas and the new year with a raffle and a Christmas swim. Not to forget our contribution to the Castelo de Sonhos Christmas Shoe box appeal. In the Spring our concert raised 3000€.
Alan stood in for Isabel Flores and handed over to Rainer Kroth for the year 2023/24.
Rainer is shouldering the president’s job for the first time. Continuing our work in proven activities his vision for 2023-2024 is adding a new focus on Environmental Protection. Our club wants to contribute to the restoration of biodiversity for example by planting trees or even small forests working with experts in the field of ecology and environmental education.
The club will also continue to develop and consolidate our Educational Projects which provide children and young adults with opportunities to expand their horizons. Silves Rotary Club never forgets the less advantaged in our community and will continue to support them through these difficult times. We look forward to promoting fellowship through a wide range of activities and events. We will be producing our concerts again this year as well as our small intimate events whilst working to widen Silves Rotary Club’s network of friends.
Rainer started by pinning a new member Albrecht Marquis and taking part in our flag ceremony with Assistant Governor Fatima Guerreiro and Pascal Martin and exchanging flags with Benedikt Marijnen.
We were joined by many guests from other Rotary Clubs Lagoa, Almancil, Faro, Portimao and Olhao:-
Albrecht, Sofia Fráguas, Rainer, Nicole Lanier, Franco Pasotto, Otelo Cabrita
José Manuel Sosa, District Member Engagement Chair, Rainer and Marion Kitzman RC Silves Secretary
Welcoming New Members
RC Silves welcomes new members Judy Falçao and Terry Falçao. Newly resident in the Algarve they have found friends and colleagues in the Rotary. We look forward to more fun, fellowship and fundraising with them on the team. Left to Right Pam Winn, Judy Falçao, Alan Winn, Isabel Flores and Terry Falçao.
A Tribute to Wilma Bijhoo
Wilma Bijhoo receives a well-deserved honour of a Paul Harris certificate. Bram her husband was a former member of RC Silves. He gave a lot to the community of Silves and the Algarve. Bram died unexpectedly and Wilma took up his mantle and the community has benefited from her contributions ever since. RC Silves is honoured to have her as a member.
Five Stars Gala
On the 29 March, the Rotary Club of Silves was invited to the Five Stars Gala of the Agrupamento Escolas de Silves Sul. A happy night where students were able to celebrate their achievements in education and sport. Members of the local school community were also honoured, for their support, with the presentation of a star. The Rotary Club of Silves were one of five groups presented with a star. Over the last few years, the Silves Rotary club and the schools in the group have worked hand in hand, collaborating with the aim of enhancing education in the municipality of Silves in an inclusive way! A winning partnership that will continue for years to come. Thank you, Agrupamento Escolas de Silves Sul we were honoured to receive our star.
Casa do Povo in Messines celebrate 88 years
Casa do Povo in Messines celebrated 88 years in December and invited those who worked with them to attend a celebration. Isabel Flores, the current president of RC Silves, represented the club at the event. RC Silves has helped support Casa do Povo with projects for people with learning Difficulties and with food and masks during Covid pandemic. The President of the Casa do Povo de S. B. Messines, José Carlos Araújo, presented Isabel with a gift to thank RC Silves for all their support and to celebrate her presence at the Anniversary Gala.
Handover 2022/23
2021/22 has been a memorable year for Silves Rotary Club as for all Rotary clubs Covid has taken it’s toll. We worked hard under our President Alan Winn to help the community and to keep as many fundraising activities as possible. We had a great start to the year with Back to school, followed closely by the Christmas Shoe box appeal. We manage our first concert in two years and raised 4500€. We have been training for a sponsored walk along the Camino starting at the Portuguese border and finishing at Santiago to Compostela to provide a sensory room and garden for Autistic and Downs Syndrome pupils at Armacao de Pera school. Alan handed over to Isabel Flores for the year 2022/23. Isabel is shouldering the president’s job for the fifth time. Continuing our work in education is high on her agenda but she will add some touches of her own to support further members of the community.
Walking in the Algarve
RC Silves looks at many ways to raise funds for our community in Silves and to do it through fellowship. We are looking at many possibilities for fundraising one of which focuses on exercise. To get ready for this possible challenge we have started some training walks. The first was a 7K walk around the Arade and Odelouca Rivers. A bakers dozen took part and all managed it well. Two members who were back in the UK joined us in spirit. They walked in the snow and ice. Much Chillier.
Rotary Clube de Silves 