Northern Hemisphere

Environmental Action Day (Latvia) [2024]

Country: Latvia

Sites: Liepaja Marina, Liepaja Dienvidrietumu pludmale, Liepaja pludmale pie stadiona

Target: Local communities and Residents, Tourists and Visitors, Schools and Students, Kids and Families.

Short Description

On the occasion of scientific vessel “Aranda” visiting the marina, an environmental information and action day was organised to promote ocean literacy and to undertake environmental protection activities.

A wide range of open workshops and interactive activities was offered to anyone interested in the challenges that the Baltic Sea and world oceans are currently facing. Attendees could learn more about marine environment by watching relevant documentaries on the topic, visiting the scientific vessel Aranda, and interacting with its scientists and crew.The event also provided visitors with knowledge on sustainable actions that everyone can undertake to contribute to sustainable seas and oceans.

Additional information and picture albums available here.

Mobile Climate Museum (Lithuania) [2024]

Country: Lithuania

Sites: Birute Park Beach

Target: Staff; Local communities and Residents, Tourists and Visitors, Schools and Students, Kids and Families.

Short Description

Sea containers were transformed into a mobile museum on climate change issues and climate-friendly solutions. The exhibition presented the causes and effects of climate change, issues related to agriculture, loss of biodiversity, the importance of nature in human life, and offered practical suggestions on how people can make more sustainable choices in their everyday lives.

The Mobile Museum visited 16 cities, including the Palanga municipality where the Birute Park beach is located. The awareness-raising initiative was promoted by both the Palanga municipality and Blue Flag Lithuania - also among Lithuanian Eco-Schools, some of which have visited the museum.

Dam of Posidonia (Montenegro) [2024]

Country: Montenegro

Sites: Bridge Beach Bar, B5 Beach Bar

Target: Staff; Local communities and Residents.

Short Description

Heavy rains used to have a visible impact on this beach and the site would regularly get flooded. As its sand was washed out to the sea, the beach was continuously becoming narrower. As a water stream that comes down to the beach had been identified as the main source of frequent floodings, a nature-based solution was seeked. Eventually, to mitigate the problem, Posidonia seagrass was then planted at the mouth of the stream, stopping the rainwater from flooding the beach.

Local managers decided that this example could be also used to draw tourists' attention to the risks and consequences of climate change. Therefore, information boards were created, along with an awareness-raising quiz that was organised in the beach facilities.

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Sea Shore Event (Ireland) [2024]

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Country: Ireland

Sites: An Trá Mór, Coill Rua, Indreabhán

Target: Students and schools; Local communities and residents, Kids and Families, Tourists and Visitors.

Short Description

The "Discover the Beach" event was held during National Heritage Week to celebrate the natural richness of Irish seashores and to emphasise the need to preserve local natural resources for future generations. Young people could attend inclusive, free-of-charge and bi-lingual educational events that included a seashore bioblitz (recording living species within a designated area), a scavenger hunt, litter clean-up, and a litter study, uncovering the ecological treasures and human pressures placed on the environment.

The participants were tasked to find and identify as many living species as possible on the beach and in the sea. Through this fun and interactive activity, the organiser aimed at creating awareness with young people about local biodiversity, how healthy beaches and dune systems are so important for many organisms, and the role these fragile habitats play by providing nature-based solutions to coastal erosion.

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Protect Our Dunes Campaign (Ireland) [2024]

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Country: Ireland

Sites: Bertra Beach, Murrisk; Keel Beach, Achill Island, Salthill Beach

Target: Students and schools; Local communities and residents, Kids and Families, Teachers and Schools, Tourists and Visitors.

Short Description

This initiative consisted of a series of 5 roadshow events dedicated to families and young people, and aimed at raising local communities' awareness of how to protect dune systems in Northwest Ireland. Along with the free and open events, a social media campaign was launched, focused on simple actions that everyone can take to protect the dunes.

The educational and fun family activities during the roadshow included Family Seashore Safaris and Q&A sessions with a Marine Biologist, raising awareness about dune systems and their biodiversity, as well as spreading knowledge of activities and behaviours that harm or protect the dunes.

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My booklet #ocean without plastic (Morocco) [2024]

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Country: Morocco

Target: Students and schools; Local communities and residents, Kids and Families, Teachers and Schools, Tourists and Visitors.

Short Description

To educate about the importance of protecting the coastal environment, engaging booklets were designed and distributed at the Blue Flag awarded beaches. as well as to groups of guides and scouts from the National Federation of Moroccan Scouting, summer camps, and school pupils.

The booklets were prepared to promote collective responsibility and sustainable practices to preserve the Moroccan coastline. Through numerous exercises and games, children could learn about the marine biodiversity and endangered species. They were also able to discover what simple actions can contribute to protecting the beaches and marine ecosystem.

It's in Our Hands (Portugal) [2024]

Country: Portugal

Site: Pedrogão Centro (beach)

Target: Students and schools; Local communities and residents, Kids and Families, Teachers and Schools.

Short Description

This project encouraged young people to widen their knowledge about local ecosystems and to get actively involved in nature conservancy activities. The initiative consisted of two different parts: a theoretical one, where the students learned about the specific environmental issues and the importance of fighting invasive species, as well as a practical one, where attendees participated in ecosystem restoration activities, such as monitoring the weevil on the beach, controlling and eradicating the beach willow, herb pampas, and acacias.

Thanks to the form of this educational activity, the local population was provided with more information about their region, enhancing their sense of belonging and protection. By having a chance to actively contribute to reducing the adverse effects of the presence of invasive species in this territory, they also improved their understanding of how ecosystem, society, and economy are interrelated.

Civic Amenity Centre Project (Türkiye) [2024]

Country: Türkiye

Site: Şile Municipality

Target: Local community and residents; schools and students.

Short Description

The Şile Municipality designed environmental education workshops that are carried out at the local Waste Collection Center. Each session starts with basic training on environmental awareness, zero waste projects, recycling, and residents´ civic duties in waste management.

An interactive art workshop is provided where the participants restore old pieces of furniture that are later donated to local people in need. At the end of a session, attendees visit the Waste Houses to improve their knowledge of correct waste disposal and segregation.

This project targets various age groups, helps spread environmental awareness on pollution, and ensures that citizens have sufficient knowledge to separate their domestic waste adequately. This is part of a strategy to turn waste collection centres into accesible facilities for residents to learn about circular economy and waste management.

Microplastics, recycling, and zero waste workshops (Canada) [2024]

Country: Canada

Site: Port Stanley Main Beach (beach)

Target: Local community and residents; schools and students.

Short Description

To enhance pollution prevention and environmental stewardship in Port Stanley, Canada, the municipality partnered with Ecodemy. Together, they delivered three interactive workshops to elementary classes in the community. The workshops covered the following topics: microplastics, recycling, and Zero Waste 101.

During the microplastic workshop, students learned about the impact of microplastics on local habitats and wildlife, the common sources of microplastic pollution, bioaccumulation, as well as the importance of the Blue Flag award, ocean and lake clean-up initiatives, and water conservation.

As part of the Recycling workshop, the students participated in an interactive Sorting Relay Activity. The province’s new solution and Producer-Led Recycling Program was also discussed.

In the third workshop, the students explored the fundamentals of Zero Waste, and were challenged to predict the time it takes for common materials to break down in landfills.

Basket Pet - Score for the Environment (Mexico) [2024]

Country: Mexico

Site: Playa 88, Punta Esmeralda (beach)

Target: Local community and residents; schools and students; staff; tourists and visitors.

Short Description

Basket PET is an innovative idea that contributes to community engagement, while gamifying the process of plastic waste recycling. Implemented in 4 different sites, the baskets were adapted to the conditions and needs of each place, with the participation of staff from different areas and collaborating companies.

Users remove and dispose of plastic bottle lids, empty the liquid residue in a dedicated tank to avoid contamination, and toss the bottle in the basket to dispose of them in the container. Pallets were reused to transform the them into containers. This project encourages the correct disposal of PET in a unique and fun way.