In 1981, Horst Zeppenfeld from Bremen fulfilled a lifelong dream. In the hot Alentejo region of southern Portugal, one of the sunniest areas in Europe, he acquired 1,000 hectares of land. The soil had been severely eroded by decades of intensive farming, but Horst had a vision. Today, Vale de Camelos (the Valley of the Camels) is fully managed according to organic principles. Over the past 30 years, around 600 hectares have been sustainably reforested, with approximately 315,500 trees and shrubs planted. Biodiversity is at the heart of it all. Alongside vineyards, olive groves, and fruit trees, the revitalized soil now supports flowers, grasses, and herbs — creating habitats for butterflies, birds, insects, reptiles, and countless soil organisms. Five reservoirs have also been built to capture rainwater that would otherwise run off unused. These not only provide irrigation during dry periods but have become thriving ecosystems, where up to 1,500 cranes and other rare migratory birds gather each winter.
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