A vacant school is set to become one of Lagos’ most ambitious environmental projects in recent history, according to Algarve Daily News.

One of the priority issues by the non-partisan citizen movement, Lagos Mais Verde, is that “a growing city should never come at the expense of its natural environment.” The group has spent the past year advocating for the transformation of the 2.3-hectare grounds of the vacant school into a vibrant public green space, Algarve Daily News reports.

The aim of the project is to enhance biodiversity and create a sanctuary in the city with a Miyawaki urban forest, a Mediterranean mindfulness garden, children's play areas, and outdoor educational spaces for local schools.

In late April, representatives of the citizen movement presented their vision to Lagos’ Municipal Assembly chamber, with every political party voting unanimously in favour of a motion supporting the plan. The vision also includes tree-planting initiatives across the entire municipality.

Spokesperson of the movement, Anna Jaworska, commented on the council felling trees in Lagos: "Between late 2025 and early 2026, the council felled numerous mature trees throughout the historic centre and along Marina Road, citing disease and public safety concerns," she said. "Although 157 saplings were planted in March 2026, a young tree cannot instantly replace the environmental value of a mature one."

Jaworska argues that it can take decades for newly planted trees to deliver the same benefits, including stormwater absorption, shade and the cooling effect that can lower surrounding temperatures during the Algarve's increasingly intense summer heatwaves, Algarve Daily News reports.

Although the Municipal Assembly's decision carries substantial political weight, it remains advisory, and the final decision on whether the park will become a reality remains with Lagos City Council, which has yet to formally commit to the project.

Lagos Mais Verde is pushing ahead with a petition campaign, which has already surpassed 4,200 signatures, making it the largest civic petition in the city's recent history, according to Algarve Daily News.

Drawing inspiration from other successful citizen-led conservation movements, campaigners have tied textile bands around trees to call for greater transparency and protection in the city.