INTERESH at the Encontro Nacional das Guardiãs da Natureza in Portugal

On 25 September 2026, the 4th Encontro Nacional das Guardiãs da Natureza took place in Santarém, Portugal. The event focused on the role of women in environmental protection and the promotion of more sustainable agriculture.

Organised by Business as Nature in collaboration with the Municipality of Santarém, the event received 500 registrations. Throughout the day, participants shared experiences and initiatives led by women working in scientific research, agriculture and natural resource conservation.

Professor Cristina Cruz, from the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon, spoke at the Ciência com raízes panel, dedicated to the relationship between scientific research and agriculture. Cristina Cruz leads the Plant-Soil Ecology Research Group at cE3c - Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, which is involved in INTERESH’s scientific activities.

During her presentation, she introduced INTERESH and the scientific work of her research group, which focuses on developing solutions to improve soil health.

The value of research for more sustainable agriculture

Within INTERESH, the research group leads Experimental Action 1, dedicated to the recovery and reuse of olive oil production residues through the study of biological processes that can support their use in agriculture.

INTERESH shows how scientific research can help identify new ways to use agricultural resources, based on the properties of the materials and the needs of local farming systems.

The meeting in Santarém highlighted the important role of women in agricultural research and farming. Their contribution is equally important within INTERESH, where researchers such as Cristina Cruz work to advance scientific knowledge and develop solutions for the future of agricultural soils.

More information about the Encontro Nacional das Guardiãs da Natureza.