beach

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.

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.

Nurturing Blue Flag Beaches as place-based Environment and Sustainability Educational Sites (India) [2024]

Country: India

Site: Golden Blue Flag Beach, Odisha (beach)

Target: Students and schools; Local communities and residents.

Short Description

The Blue Flag beach in Odisha, India, has become a dynamic hub for environmental education. Leveraging its natural setting, the beach hosts regular Saturday events that have grown increasingly popular, attracting families, children, and tourists eager to learn about marine biodiversity, beach ecosystems, and the importance of sustainability. The programme's success stems from the strategic planning and insights gained from the Beach Managers Training Workshop, part of the Monitoring and Evaluating Climate Communication and Education Project (MECCE).

Led by the Golden Beach Management Committee and supported by local authorities, the initiative emphasizes hands-on learning experiences, such as marine turtle nest making and wetland protection activities. These events, designed by nature educator Akash Ranjan and his team, are diverse and interactive, ensuring sustained interest and engagement. The inclusion of rewards like handicrafts and local food items has further encouraged participation and fostered a sense of environmental stewardship among participants.

The programme has not only attracted local visitors but has also drawn the attention of community leaders, with notable visits from figures like the District Forest Officer (DFO) of Puri. Educational activities included the following events: “Remember water fowls protect wetlands”; “Imagine your beach”, “Celebration of World Migratory Birds Day”, “Identifying ten ecosystems of Odisha and contributing to their conservation initiatives”, “Beach talk on Ghost crabs and sand dunes”, “Marine turtle nest making”, “Unseen seeds collage”, “Identify and build leaf crown”, “Web of life.”

Native and Endemic Species Reforestation in Padre Nuestro (Dominican Republic) [2024]

Country: Dominican Republic

Site: La Laguna Dominicus Catalonia (beach)

Target: Local communities and residents.

Short Description

The "Native and Endemic Species Reforestation in the Archaeological and Ecotourism Path Padre Nuestro" project in the Dominican Republic highlights a significant conservation effort within the Cotubanamá National Park. This 2-kilometer trail, rich in Taíno heritage and tropical biodiversity, saw the reforestation of endangered species with plants donated by the national botanical garden.

The reforestation included the planting of Mirabal flowers, Copey trees, and Bayahibe flowers, all critical to preserving local flora. The project, involving community engagement and education, emphasized the importance of protecting these species and the broader ecosystem. This initiative not only enhances biodiversity along the historic trail but also fosters community awareness and participation in environmental conservation.

Action and Transformation - From Cleanups to Public Facilities (Brazil) [2024]

Country: Brazil

Site: Praia Grande (beach)

Target: Local community and residents; schools and students; staff; civil society.

Short Description

“Action and Transformation - From Beach Cleanups to Public Facilities” highlights a creative approach to waste management and community engagement through partnerships and innovative recycling methods.

Initiative overview: in collaboration with Ecolocal Brasil, the project transformed waste collected from beach cleanups into practical public facilities. This included the creation of toy boxes for collecting PET bottle caps, signs for waste disposal, and benches made from recycled materials.

Materials and process: waste from the 2022/2023 beach cleaning season was repurposed into thermoplastics for new products. Non-recyclable materials were compacted and transformed into functional items such as trash cans, toy boxes, and signage.

Community engagement and impact: the campaign utilized social media, including Instagram and Facebook, to raise awareness and promote the project. Public facilities and ecological walks served as platforms to educate beachgoers about recycling and waste management. The campaign video garnered significant engagement with 26,626 views, 886 likes, and 92 comments, demonstrating widespread community interest and support.

This initiative not only improved beach cleanliness but also promoted environmental awareness and practical recycling solutions.

Rocky Coasts of Balneario Camboriú (Brazil) [2024]

Country: Brazil

Site: Praia de Taquaras (beach)

Target: Local community and residents; local schools and students; university.

Short Description

he "Rocky Coasts of Balneário Camboriú" project, initiated in 2021 by the Environmental Secretariat of Balneário Camboriú in partnership with the University of Vale do Itajaí (UNIVALI), focuses on cleaning and raising awareness about the rocky coasts in the municipality. The project involves:

  • Waste Collection and Analysis: the project systematically collects, quantifies, and qualifies waste from 13 rocky coasts, both above and below water. Over 15,000 items totaling 1.2 tons were collected, with plastics, styrofoam, glass, ceramics, and fishing gear being the most common.

  • Educational Outreach: an educational booklet, "Rocky Coasts of Balneário Camboriú: Their Attributes and Problems with Waste," was published to highlight the ecological, scenic, and cultural significance of these coasts. This booklet, along with lectures by oceanographers and biologists, will be distributed to municipal public schools and used in environmental education activities.

  • Public Engagement and Future Actions: The booklet and lectures aim to inform the local community about the importance of the rocky coasts and encourage scientific discussions on marine litter. The project also proposes actions to combat waste, including legislative proposals.

This initiative demonstrates a comprehensive approach to waste management and environmental education, engaging both local schools and the broader community.