Sustainability Policy
Throughout the centuries, Serra da Estrela mountains have shaped traditional ways of living and have also been shaped by a rural and pastoral human presence, in an harmony that has created the landscape and cultural richness that we must preserve and develop.
Located in the vicinity of the Natural Park of Serra da Estrela, on the foothills of the mountains, at the genuine village of Travancinha, Chão do Rio – Green Farm Stays benefits from this unique and privileged environment.
At Chão do Rio, we believe we have the responsibility to respect and contribute to the preservation, recovery and enhancement of the natural environment and culture of the region, perpetuating the memory of traditional ways of life, creating value and contributing to the economic and social development of the region, benefiting future generations. This is why...
We promote biodiversity...
In an area of four hectares, we are recovering an autochthonous forest, sowing and planting oaks, cork oaks, birch trees, chestnut trees, strawberry trees, hawthorn and hazel trees;
We created ecological corridors for the circulation of wild species, through local shrub species;
We created wetlands, such as our pond and our Biological Pool;
We created shelter areas for wild animals, through the installation of nest boxes for birds and shelters for rabbits, reptiles, hedgehogs and an insect hotel;
We maintain a vegetable garden with flowers and vegetables, using permaculture techniques;
We encourage environmentally friendly experiences ...
Our guests receive various proposals for experiences through local partners, such as birdwatching tours, massages, concerts with Tibetan bowls, photography workshops, mountain walks, horseback riding and river walks in stand up paddle board.
We provide free use bicycles to ride on the property or in the local village;
We created a pedestrian path, which we called “Moira Trail”; where our guests are invited to walk, waking up to the magic of nature;
Children may pick up eggs from the chicken coop, vegetables from our vegetable garden, feed the “Serra” and “Mel” sheep, caress “Luar” donkey or have fun on wheelbarrows' rides;
Dives between water lilies, dragonflies and frogs in our biological pool are unforgettable;
Picnic areas, the wood oven and barbecues, transform meals into tasty playful moments of communion with nature.
We promote the local heritage and contribute to the development of the region...
We measure our carbon footprint;
Chão do Rio houses are perfectly integrated in the natural landscape by the use of vegetal origin roofs, built using materials collected at the cleaning of the surrounding lands;
All constructions were made with sustainable materials, such as stone from local demolitions and wood;
Water heating is produced via solar panels;
Our sewers are connected to the public wastewater treatment plant;
We installed energy class A+ air conditioners;
We recycle and encourage recycling in each of the houses, through the placement of eco-points and information on how to recycle;
In all our houses, our guests find a bucket to collect kitchen scraps and are encouraged to feed our animals with these, thus reducing organic waste;
Lighting is effected with Led lamps;
Outdoor lighting is minimized to avoid energy consumption and light pollution;
Our “garden” is a spontaneous meadow that does not need watering;
Our chicken coop is mobile, avoiding the desertification of the soil and contributing to the natural enrichment of the feeding of our chickens;
The maintenance of external spaces is carried out using manual and mechanical means; Pesticides are never used;
Our main pool is biological, and its balance is ensured through the recreation of a natural ecosystem, where plants guarantee water purification;
Our amenities are handcrafted soaps produced in the region, using local raw materials;
Toilet paper and napkins are 100% recycled and of national origin;
Our guests have the option of not changing towels daily, in order to help us reduce the consumption of water and detergents;
...We have reduced as much as possible the printing of advertising materials on paper, favoring other means of dissemination with less environmental impact.
We reduce environmental impacts ...
Chão do Rio houses are perfectly integrated in the natural landscape by the use of vegetal origin roofs, built using materials collected at the cleaning of the surrounding lands;
All constructions were made with sustainable materials, such as stone from local demolitions and wood;Water heating is produced via solar panels;
Our sewers are connected to the public sewage treatment plant;
Winter heating is carried through firewood stoves;
We recycle and encourage recycling in each of the houses, through the placement of eco-points;
Lighting is effected with Led lamps;
Outdoor lighting is minimized to avoid energy consumption and light pollution;
Our "garden" is a spontaneous meadow that does not need watering;
Our chicken coop is mobile, avoiding the desertification of the soil and contributing to the natural enrichment of the feeding of our chickens;
The maintenance of external spaces is carried out using manual and mechanical means; Pesticides are never used;
Our main pool is biological, its balance being assured through the recreation of a natural ecosystem;
Our amenities are handmade soaps produced in the region, using local raw materials;
Toilet paper and napkins are 100% recycled and of national origin;
Our customers have the option not to change towels daily, in order to reduce water and detergents consumption;
We reduce as much as possible the paper impression of advertising materials, favoring other means of dissemination with less environmental impact.
We promote education for sustainability...
We participate in sustainability seminars, sharing our practices, free of charge;
We open our doors once a year, tharough our "open day Chão do Rio – A day for the forest", an event where good practices about forest management are shared;
We collaborate with local schools in environmental education events.
Biosphere Responsible Tourism Certification
Sustainable development is development that satisfies the needs of the present without compromising the future generations to meet their own needs.
Bruntland Report ("Our Common Future"), 1987, adopted by the UN
The desire to contribute to sustainable development of our planet is intrinsic to the business and culture of Chão do Rio – Green Farm Stays, since this was one of the motivating axes of its creation. After a few years of existence, the certification of its sustainability practices has become essential, not only as an affirmation of such purpose, but also as a way of giving it consistency.
In spite of an abundance of sustainability references and labels in the global market of tourism, BIOSPHERE RESPONSIBLE TOURISM has naturally become the certification to be adopted, since being an internationally recognized system, it is also universally applicable, irrespective of the scale of the unit.
The Biosphere International Responsible Tourism benchmarks were the first to be recognized and accredited by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. Biosphere Responsible Tourism is promoted and developed by the Institute for Responsible Tourism, one of the organizations responsible for promoting the principles of the World Charter for Sustainable Tourism, having established a memorandum of understanding with UNWTO and UNESCO for this purpose.
Biosphere Responsible Tourism attributes and recognizes the work in favor of Sustainability of Destinations and companies in the tourism sector, certifying its good practices of sustainability in line with its diverse international references and always looking for a strong balance between the 3 pillars of sustainability:
I. Economic
Companies should take measures to increase their efficiency and profitability so that they can continue to operate, generate employment, and adequately remunerate the invested capital.
II. Social
Companies should respect human rights, promote equal opportunities, treat fairly and honestly not only their employees but all their stakeholders. It should be stressed that it is part of a sustainable social policy to include and participate in the communities in which the company operates, namely by launching and participating in local initiatives.
III. Environmental
Companies should focus their efforts on conserving and managing natural resources as well as protection of landscape and the surrounding environment. This means reducing its ecological footprint, reducing its emissions of polluting gases, betting on recycling, on the proper treatment of waste, reducing its energy and water consumption, among others.
Chão do Rio – Green Farm Stays was the first Rural Tourism unit in Portugal to achieve the Biosphere Responsible Tourism certification (in 2018, Jun).)
Over the centuries, Serra da Estrela shaped traditional ways of life and was also shaped by a rural and pastoral human presence, in a harmony that created a landscape and a cultural wealth that we must preserve and develop.
Located near the Serra da Estrela Natural Park, at the foot of the Serra, in the genuine village of Travancinha, Chão do Rio – village tourism benefits from this unique and privileged environment.
At Chão do Rio, we believe that we have a responsibility to respect and contribute to the preservation, recovery and enhancement of the natural environment and culture of the region, perpetuating the memory of traditional ways of life, creating value and contributing to economic and social development. region, benefiting future generations. That's why...
We promote biodiversity...
In an area of four hectares, we are recovering an autochthonous forest, sowing and planting oaks, cork oaks, birch trees, chestnut trees, strawberry trees, hawthorn and hazel;
We created ecological corridors for the circulation of wild species, through local shrub species;
We have created wetlands, such as our “Charca” and our Biological Pool;
We created shelter areas for wild animals, through the installation of nest boxes for birds and shelters for rabbits, reptiles, hedgehogs and an insect hotel;
We maintain a vegetable garden with flowers and vegetables using permaculture techniques.
We encourage environmentally friendly experiences...
Our guests receive several proposals for experiences through local partners, such as birdwatching tours, massages in the shade of oak trees, Tibetan bowls concerts, photography workshops, hiking in the Serra, horseback riding and river walks in stand up paddle. board.
We provide free use of bicycles to ride around the property or in the village of Travancinha;
We created a pedestrian trail, which we called “Sendeiro da Moira”, where our guests are invited to walk, awakening to the magic of nature;
Children can collect eggs from the chicken coop, vegetables from our vegetable garden, feed the “Serra” and “Mel” sheep, stroke the “Luar” donkey, or enjoy wheelbarrow rides;
The dips among water lilies, dragonflies and frogs in our biological pool are unforgettable;
The picnic areas, the wood oven and the barbecues, transform meals into tasty, playful moments of communion with nature.
We promote the local heritage and contribute to the development of the region...
Our breakfast basket includes a wide variety of local products;
In our gift shop we sell local handicrafts;
In the company's purchasing policy, preference is always given to proximity suppliers;
Information about the region is provided at our reception;
We actively participate in the dissemination of Aldeia de Travancinha through the delivery of an itinerary created by Chão do Rio, with professional photographs, dedicated to the tourist points of interest in the village;
In partnership with local institutions and colleagues in the accommodation area, we participated in the marking of a pedestrian trail in the village of Travancinha, called “Rota do Tapado”
Our guests are invited to discover and consume in establishments in the village and neighboring towns;
We provide information about a network of local partners that offer unique entertainment experiences, waiving any intermediation fees;
When our equipment is renewed, we donate materials in good condition to social institutions located in the region.
We reduce the most adverse environmental impacts...
We measure our carbon footprint;
The houses in Chão do Rio blend in with the natural landscape through the use of plant-based roofs, decorated using materials from the cleaning of the surrounding land;
All constructions were made with sustainable materials, such as stone from local demolitions and wood;
The water heating is carried out through solar panels;
Our sewers are connected to the public wastewater treatment plant;
We installed energy class A+ air conditioners;
We recycle and encourage recycling in each of our homes, through the provision of recycling bins and information on how to recycle;
In all our houses, our guests find a bucket to collect kitchen scraps and are encouraged to feed our animals with these, thus reducing organic waste;
Lighting is done with LED lamps;
Outdoor lighting is kept to a minimum to avoid energy consumption and light pollution;
Our “garden” is a spontaneous meadow that does not need watering;
Our chicken coop is mobile, preventing soil desertification and contributing to the natural enrichment of our chickens' food;
The maintenance of outdoor spaces is carried out using manual and mechanical means, never using pesticides;
Our main pool is biological, its balance being ensured through the recreation of a natural ecosystem, where plants guarantee water purification;
Our amenities are handcrafted soaps produced in the region, using local raw materials;
Toilet paper and napkins are 100% recycled and of national origin;
Our guests have the option of not changing towels daily, in order to help us reduce the consumption of water and detergents;
We minimized the printing of advertising materials on paper, favoring other means of dissemination with less environmental impact.
We promote education for sustainability...
We participate free of charge in sustainability seminars, sharing our practices;
We open our doors once a year, with our open day Chão do Rio – A day for the forest, an event where good practices in the field of forest management are shared;
We collaborate with local schools in environmental education events.
Biosphere Responsible Tourism Certification
Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Bruntland Report (“Our Common Future”), 1987, adopted by the UN
The desire to contribute to the sustainable development of our planet is intrinsic to the business culture of Chão do Rio – village tourism, as this was one of the motivating axes of its creation. After a few years of existence, the certification of its sustainability practices has become essential, not only as an affirmation of this purpose, but also as a way of giving it consistency.
Despite the abundance of sustainability references and labels on the market, BIOSPHERE RESPONSIBLE TOURISM has naturally established itself as the certification to be adopted, since being an internationally recognized system, it is also universally applicable, regardless of the scale of the unit.
The Biosphere Responsible Tourism International Benchmarks were the first to be recognized and accredited by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. Biosphere Responsible Tourim is promoted and developed by the Responsible Tourism Institute, one of the organizations responsible for promoting the principles of the World Charter for Sustainable Tourism, having established a memorandum of understanding with the UNWTO and UNESCO to that effect.
Biosphere Responsible Tourism attributes and recognizes the work towards the Sustainability of Destinations and companies in the tourism sector, certifying their good sustainability practices in line with its various international references and always looking for a strong balance between the 3 pillars of sustainability:
I. Economic
Companies must adopt measures to increase their efficiency and profitability so that they can continue to operate, generate employment and adequately remunerate the capital invested.
II. Social
Companies must respect human rights, promote equal opportunities, treating not only their employees, but all their stakeholders fairly and honestly. It should be noted that the inclusion and participation in the communities in which the company operates is part of a sustainable social policy, namely by launching and participating in local initiatives.
III. Environmental
Companies should focus their efforts on conserving and managing natural resources, as well as protecting the landscape and the environment. This involves reducing its ecological footprint, reducing its emissions of polluting gases, investing in recycling, in the proper treatment of waste, reducing its energy and water consumption, among others.
Chão do Rio – rural tourism was the first rural tourism unit in Portugal to achieve Biosphere Responsible Tourism certification (in June 2018)