From the 16th to the 20th of January, the second internship on interpretation in ecotourism and nature guides, took place in Chile. The internship was organized within the framework of the Erasmus+ NATOUR project (Joint Postgraduate Program in Ecotourism and Nature Guides). About 30 people from 7 countries participated in it, including two members of the University of the Azores. The natural and scenic richness of Chilean Patagonia served as a backdrop to this excellent internship. Among the ecotourism activities carried out, there was a visit to the penguin colonies of the Islotes de Puñihuil Natural Monument, and the observation of other shorebirds on the island of Chiloé, in addition to visits to the Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park and Alerce Andino National Park. In the national parks, it was possible to observe a unique fauna, a captivating landscape, and an exuberant flora characteristic of the humid temperate forest of this southern region. The alerce, an ancient tree, was the King of the visit to the second park, while in the first it was possible to appreciate how a forest resists the arrival of volcanic ash, emanated by the abundant volcanoes in these parts. The presence of guides specialized in transmitting an interpretive message of the environment that surrounded us, was the climax of the visits carried out within the scope of this internship, and it was also an important lesson for the postgraduate course in ecotourism that will open in the next academic year, at the Faculty of Science and Technology at the University of the Azores.

CIBIO-Açores, a research unit based at the University of the Azores and integrated in the Research Network on Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology (InBIO, Associated Laboratory), organizes the third edition of its Spring Seminar, with the purpose of disseminating its research activities within the academic community, but also with the funding agencies and other partners at regional level. The research group presents research in the areas of systematics, evolution, biogeography and palaeontology, ecology, limnology and coastal biology. One of the research units functions is thereby fulfilled, namely the dissemination of the projects and of the results obtained, by providing a summary of their contribution for the advancement of knowledge. It is also an opportunity for the gathering of the elements of the unit, usually occupied with their specific tasks, and therefore, a step towards a greater scientific and personal integration of the body of researchers.

CIBIO-Açores, a research unit based at the University of the Azores and integrated in the Research Network on Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology (InBIO, Associated Laboratory), organizes the fifth edition of its Spring Seminar, with the purpose of disseminating its research activities within the academic community, but also with the funding agencies and other partners at regional level. The research group presents research in the areas of systematics, evolution, biogeography and palaeontology, ecology, limnology and coastal biology. One of the research units’ functions is thereby fulfilled, namely the dissemination of the projects and of the results obtained, by providing a summary of their contribution for the advancement of knowledge. It is also an opportunity for the gathering of the elements of the unit, usually occupied with their specific tasks and, therefore, a step towards a greater scientific and personal integration of the body of researchers.

“The 18th annual edition of the International Workshop – Palaeontology in Atlantic Islands (18th PAI) will take place in Santa Maria, between July 7 and 16, organized by the Marine Palaeontology & Biogeography Lab of CIBIO-Açores (Universidade dos Açores). https://www.researchgate.net/lab/MPB-Marine-Palaeontology-and-Biogeography-lab-Sergio-P-Avila As in previous editions, the 18th PAI is dedicated to the paleontological heritage of Santa Maria Island and will bring together internationally recognized specialists in the most diverse areas of geology, biology and palaeontology. It will include visits to the fossiliferous outcrops of Santa Maria, and the usual evening sessions of lectures at the Dalberto Pombo Environmental Interpretation Center (open to the public, without the need for prior registration).”