In an interview given to TSF, the Landscape Architect Selma Pena, presents the main ideas developed by the team for the Monsanto Forest Park:

“For this space of Monsanto, which is less than 100 years old, the trees that were in nursery were used, without any kind of adjusted or autochthonous choice. Now, Monsanto has a plan for 20/30, which is explained in detail, in the audio of the program, by architect Selma Pena, from the LEAF R&D Unit ISA, University of Lisbon.  In terms of the proposal, the changes are not only ecological, but also cultural. In terms of forestry, we’re going to see a “gradual transformation to autochthonous vegetation, adapted to the location”, which will include cork oaks, oaks and holm oaks. Species “that exist in the park” and that prove that the reformulation will be done “without any radical transformation of the park’s cover, which is intended to be accompanied by natural regeneration.  Basically, what will happen will be a natural routing “done with the help” of man. “We are helping and leading nature so that it evolves in the best possible way,” explains Selma Pena.”

Audio available at: https://www.tsf.pt/programa/terra-a-terra-lisboa-capital-verde/paisagens-construidas-pelo-homem-e-que-salvaguardam-biodiversidade-13534864.html