Maria João Botelho

Maria João Botelho

Maria João Botelho is currently the president of ELARD (2018/2019), the president of Minha Terra Federation (2016/2019) and the manager of the Portuguese Rural LAG APRODER. She served as a Director of the Natural Park of Serras de Aire e Candeeiros and of the Natural Reserve of Paul do Boquilobo. She was Director of Support Services for Protected Areas at the Institute of Nature Conservation and Forests and she was Deputy Director General of Spatial Planning and Urban Development. She was a founding partner of several Local Development Associations and Local Action Groups in early year of the LEADER Initiative in Portugal. She integrated the Executive Committee of the Ribatejo Tourism Region. She held multiple positions in local government, being ultimately mayor of the Municipality of Cadaval. She graduated as Landscape Architect and Agriculture Engineering.