Guardians of Our Natural Heritage
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Date
- 17:30 / Cancelled 17:30 / Sold out Monday, 17:30
Location
Studio Centro de Arte Moderna GulbenkianThrough the beauty of Portugal’s landscapes and the accounts of those working on the ground or contributing to this collective effort, we discover projects dedicated to protecting habitats and species. We also see how associations, local authorities, schools and communities work together towards shared goals.
Beyond showing the work carried out in the field, Guardians of Natural Heritage invites us to reflect on how we care for the land and the role each of us can play in building a more sustainable future.
Before the screening, Daniel Espírito Santo, the documentary’s director, will briefly introduce the film and describe the process behind it, from the initial idea through to the finished film.
The screening will be followed by a discussion with Daniel Espírito Santo, the documentary’s director; Estrela Matilde, a biologist and Executive Director of LPN – Liga para a Proteção da Natureza; Manuel Malva, a biologist and Vice-President of Milvoz – Associação de Proteção e Conservação da Natureza; and João Joanaz de Melo, a Professor and researcher at NOVA University Lisbon, working in areas such as sustainability and nature conservation. The discussion will be moderated by Sofia Barbeiro, a project manager at the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.
Drawing on the experience of those working in the field, the discussion will explore some of the issues raised by the film, including current challenges for nature conservation in Portugal.
Guardians of Our Natural Heritage will be presented at a preview screening in Portugal before being shown in Yerevan, Armenia, during Biodiversity COP17.
The eight environmental organisations featured in the film are supported by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation through its core funding programme.
Speakers
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Daniel Espírito Santo
Daniel Espírito Santo is a photographer and filmmaker based in Peniche, Portugal. His art stems from a deep love of nature, a pursuit of simplicity and a thirst for adventure. Passionate about capturing the natural world, Daniel brings together human presence and landscape, creating a sense of connection and intimacy. Nature is central to his work—an ongoing celebration of its power, impermanence and elegance. For him, art is more than a form of self-expression: it is a way of sharing and an invitation to celebrate the unique opportunity to be alive.
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Estrela Matilde
Estrela Matilde holds a Master’s degree in Conservation Biology from the University of Évora and has led conservation projects and teams for over 15 years. She headed Fundação Príncipe for 11 years, building a local team dedicated to biodiversity and community development. She received the Terre de Femmes Award (2018) and the Whitley Award (2022). In July 2025, she became Executive Director of LPN, Portugal’s oldest environmental NGO, continuing her mission to change the world, one island at a time.
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João Joanaz de Melo
João Joanaz de Melo holds a degree and a PhD in Environmental Engineering, as well as a habilitation in Environmental Systems. A professor at NOVA University Lisbon and coordinator of the Master’s programme in Environmental Engineering, he teaches, conducts research and provides consultancy in ecodesign, sustainability, energy efficiency and nature conservation, with a focus on external partnerships. He is the author of around 300 technical and scientific publications and a member of the National Council for the Environment and Sustainable Development. He was a founder and president of GEOTA.
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Manuel Malva
Manuel Malva is a biologist with a Master’s degree in Environmental Management who has dedicated his career to nature conservation and ecological restoration. As co-founder and vice-president of Milvoz, he has helped establish and strengthen a network of Bio-reserves: areas of high ecological value where he promotes habitat protection and restoration, biodiversity surveys and monitoring, environmental awareness and the active involvement of communities in nature conservation.
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Sofia Barbeiro
Sofia Barbeiro is a Project Manager in the Gulbenkian Foundation’s Equity and Sustainability Programme. She is responsible for the core funding programme for environmental organisations, which aims to strengthen the capacity of environmental NGOs in Portugal and increase the impact of their work in nature conservation and biodiversity protection.
Programme
17:30 / Opening
17:35 / Film presentation
17:40 / Guardians of Our Natural Heritage Documentary
18:25 / Panel discussion
The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation reserves the right to collect and keep records of images, sounds and voice for the diffusion and preservation of the memory of its cultural and artistic activity. For further information, please contact us through the Information Request form.