Forest - Silent Living

OUR MEDITERRANEAN ORIGINS

THE CULTURE AND LIFESTYLE OF THE MEDITERRANEAN ARE INSEPARABLE FROM THE LAND AND CLIMATE. ONE SHAPES THE OTHER.

With its hot dry summers and humid cold winters, the landscape changes dramatically over the course of the year. Each season brings a subtle beauty, from rolling green pastures where animals graze to endless fields painted yellow from the flowers and sun.

THE PORTUGUESE MONTADO

THE MONTADO IS A UNIQUE MEDITERRANEAN FOREST SYSTEM, MARKED BY CENTURIES OF STEWARDSHIP AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY. IT IS AN ENVIRONMENT THAT IS CONTINUOUSLY SHAPED BY THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PEOPLE AND NATURE.

The Portuguese Montado is an evergreen grassland forming a low density and steppe-like forest. It is a complex agroforestry system, dependent on a dynamic and diverse network of activities such as agriculture, pasture for grazing and forestry. Wild deer, boar, and rabbit raom amidst the ancient cork oak and holm oak groves, making this a rich and biologically diverse paradise.

In return, the Montado provides cork, livestock, and cereal grains, fruits and vegetables. From this bounty we are able to harvest wheat to make bread, olives for olive oil, grapes for wine, meat, milk and cheeses. All of our aromatic herbs and vegetables that we use in preparing delicious and nutritious meals comes from the Herdade.

THE FRAGILITY OF TEH MONTADO AND HOW WE PRESERVE IT

WE CONSIDER OURSELVES STEWARDS AND CARETAKERS OF THIS LAND. OUR APPROACH IS TO PRESERVE, PROTECT, AND SUPPORT THE NATURAL PROCESSES OF REGENERATION AND DECAY. BY UNDERSTANDING THE SUBTLE DYNAMICS OF OUR ECOSYSTEM AND ITS PARTICULARITES, WE CAN IMPLEMENT SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES AS A WAY OF LIFE.

Respect for nature is one of our core values; one which Silent Living wishes to share through Herdade no Tempo. We realized that the delicate balance of the Montado is threatened by ongoing changes in global and local economies. Problems like overexploitation in timber harvest or forest removal to plant vast farm monocultures are depleting and consuming the Portuguese landscape.

To preserve the land and care for our families property, we have embraced regenerative agricultural practices. Woven into the very fabric of regenerative agriculture are the principles and practices to reverse ecological degradation. It aims to rebuild the organic matter in soil, restore and improve soil biodiversity, and thoughtfully employ water conservation for irrigation. It ensures the health and strength of the ecosystem for generations to come.

We are inspired by Agroecology, Permaculture, Syntropic agriculture and Holistic Management practices, all of which enhance our own agricultural practices to support this precious and beautiful Montado.

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