Leiria's Forest is a fascinating wood, a sea of pine trees full of hidden secrets, but very easy to navigate. This is due, not only, to D. Dinis, but also to other “king”, Bernardino Barros Gomes (1839-1910).
Bernardino Barros Gomes (Source: Wikipedia)
Bernardino Barros Gomes was Director of Leiria's Forest since 1882. Was the forester responsible for the study, protection and land use planning of the King's Forest.
Born in Lisbon on 30 of September 1839, within a wealthy family, he studied mathematics and philosophy at the University of Coimbra. Between 1961 and 1862 he studied at the Academy of Agricultural and Forestry of Tharandt (Leipzig), Germany, where he made close friendships and with which he maintained a connection during long years.
Back to Portugal, he joined the Division of Agriculture of the Ministry of Public Works, Commerce and Industry.
He was a connoisseur of Portuguese flora, did cartographic surveys, introduced the planning studies and forestry and has implemented the first phytogeographic studies
But it was in Leiria's Forest that his mark is most seen. He came to Marinha Grande in 1866 having created the plan of the forest.
Divided the wood in plots, opened arrifes and firebreaks for fire protection, built new guard houses, created the first lookout posts, installed the first weather stations, did studies on seedlings and the resin. Proposed, also, the opening of the roads linking Marinha Grande to São Pedro de Moel and Marinha Grande to Vieira de Leiria.
Starting from 1874, and after a new regional planning, he was appointed head of the Northen Forest Division and up to 1883 was, as well, Chief of the South divisions (1874-1879) and the Center divisions (1879-1883).
After the death of his wife he abandons the professional activities and chooses a religious life in the Congregation of the Mission being ordained a priest in 1888.
On the night of 4 for 5 of October 1910, he was killed by Republican revolutionaries, in Lisbon.
Bernardino Barros Gomes, was honored, by the Forest Guards and other public entities, to 30 of September 1939, 100 years after his birth. A monument was erected in Pedreanes along which was planted a pine tree already with 3 years old.
Our tribute is not so grand, but after several days walking through the King's Forest discovering its charms, we could not fail to mention the name of a man who contributed so much to what we have today.
Tribute to Bernardino Barros Gomes (Source: http://opinhaldorei.blogspot.pt)
Sources:
http://opinhaldorei.blogspot.pt
http://cvc.instituto-camoes.pt/ciencia/p59.html