Biodiversity

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Rehabilitation of wild orchids (India) [2025]

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Country: India

Site: Kappad Blue Flag Beach

Target: Tourists and visitors, Practitioners, Local communities and residents, Families and Kids

Short Description

In 2025, the Kappad Blue Flag Beach in Kerala launched a biodiversity initiative to rescue and rehabilitate endangered wild orchids displaced by highway development. Led by DTPC Kozhikode with the Malabar Botanical Garden, hundreds of native orchid species were carefully transplanted onto host trees within the beach’s protected ecosystem, with each plant geotagged for monitoring. Local staff and communities actively participated, turning the site into a living conservation classroom that links biodiversity with education and tourism. The project, inaugurated by Kerala’s Tourism Minister, showcased policy-level support and gained wide publicity, encouraging replication at other tourist destinations. By combining scientific expertise, community engagement, and the Blue Flag framework, it stands as a replicable model for conserving biodiversity in ecologically sensitive coastal regions.

Goals

  • To rescue and restore native wild orchids threatened by development, while promoting biodiversity conservation, community involvement, and eco-education at Kappad Blue Flag Beach.

Reproducibility

  • Lessons Learned: Timely action can prevent habitat loss, while empowering local communities fosters stewardship of natural heritage. Linking conservation with education and ecotourism boosts sustainability, and collaboration with academia, government, and international standards ensures credibility and scalability.

  • Reproducibility: The model is replicable in other ecologically sensitive regions, with success depending on scientific expertise, institutional collaboration, accurate development mapping, and strong community involvement. It serves as a good practice for biodiversity conservation in areas affected by infrastructure.

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Sustainable paths: Inclusion and Nature(Brazil) [2025]

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Country: Brazil

Site: Praia do Patacho

Target: Practitioners, Local communities and residents

Short Description

The activity “Sustainable Paths: Inclusion and Nature”, held on April 28, 2025, at Sítio Vale da Mata during the Blue Flag Program’s Global Action Days, brought together CAPS users, artisans, and local residents for an ecological trail and clay craft workshop. Participants planted cocoa seedlings to support reforestation and observed the biodiversity of the Atlantic Forest, fostering environmental awareness and a stronger bond with nature. The clay workshop offered a creative, sensory experience in connection with local artisanal traditions, promoting mental health, cultural appreciation, and social inclusion. Together, these activities reinforced sustainability, community integration, and a sense of belonging to the territory. The initiative was guided by a methodology of dialogical and inclusive environmental education, emphasizing participation, knowledge exchange, and accessible communication. Local residents highlighted the importance of reforestation with native species and the benefits of contact with nature for well-being, while artisans shared traditional practices that encouraged creativity and cultural pride. Through collective planting, hands-on learning, and open dialogue, participants were invited to see nature as a space of healing, learning, and inclusion. The activity ultimately combined environmental care with social support, demonstrating how community-based actions can strengthen both ecosystems and mental health.

Goals

  • Caring for nature also means caring for yourself and others. By planting a tree and walking through the forest, we strengthen our bond with the planet and the community.

  • Social inclusion involves valuing the territory, local culture and popular knowledge. The clay workshop showed that everyone can create, express themselves and belong.

  • Small collective actions generate great environmental and human transformations. Preserving biodiversity and promoting well-being go hand in hand towards sustainability.

Reproducibility

  • The “Sustainable Paths: Inclusion and Nature” activity combined reforestation and cultural exchange by planting cocoa seedlings and hosting a clay workshop, promoting ecosystem recovery, creativity, and social inclusion. It strengthened community ties, highlighted the mental health benefits of nature, and encouraged sustainable practices that can be replicated in other communities.

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Greener Iguaba Project (Brazil) [2025]

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Country: Brazil

Site: Praia de Ubás

Target: Tourists and visitors, Practitioners, Local communities and residents, Families and Kids

Short Description

The Greener Iguaba Project is an urban afforestation initiative in Iguaba Grande (RJ) that seeks to restore degraded areas, value local biodiversity, and promote environmental education. Launched in April 2025, its first stage involves planting 2,200 seedlings—mainly native species like Aroeira—across neighbourhoods and along the Araruama Lagoon. The work includes soil preparation, organic fertilization, hydrogel use, irrigation, and technical monitoring, contributing to the conservation of fauna, especially birds, while raising public awareness of the ecological and social benefits of afforestation. Beyond tree planting, the project uses environmental education as a central tool by engaging residents in participatory planting, distributing seedlings, and demonstrating proper techniques for planting and care. Activities are tied to symbolic dates such as Earth Day to expand outreach, while integrating sustainability into the city’s daily life and tourist spaces. This hands-on approach fosters community involvement, strengthens connections with nature, and highlights the importance of urban afforestation for both people and ecosystems.

Goals

  • Increase urban vegetation coverage with native species.

  • Promote environmental education and community awareness.

  • Contribute to improving environmental quality and urban health.

Reproducibility

  • In the first phase, 2,200 seedlings were planted, 500 per neighborhood and 200 along the lagoon shore. The action resulted in greater urban shading, creation of habitats for birds and pollinators, and greater dust retention on the roads. The choice of native species favored ecological balance and plant resistance. The social impact is also significant: residents began to actively participate in the care of the seedlings, and there was an increase in the positive perception of urban greenery. The project contributes to the mitigation of heat islands and to the control of erosion and flooding.

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Pocket Parks and Pollinator Gardens (USA) [2025]

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Country: United States of America, Florida

Site: City of Delray Beach, Florida

Target: Students and Schools, Tourists and Visitors, Staff, Local communities and residents, Families and Kids

Short Description

The Pocket Parks and Pollinator Gardens initiative has expanded green spaces in Delray Beach, benefiting both wildlife and the community.Through a partnership with the National Wildlife Refuge and local residents, the City has created 10 pollinator gardens, supporting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. These gardens promote biodiversity while serving as public learning spaces.

The City hosts Pollinator BioBlitz and planting events, encouraging residents to document species on iNaturalist and contribute to the wildlife atlas. Community engagement, through events, social media, and volunteer opportunities, has led to increased awareness and private pollinator gardens.

A key lesson learned is the importance of ongoing public communication about seasonal garden maintenance. To address concerns, the City is adding signage explaining plant life cycles. With a 95% survival rate for installed plants, this initiative is fostering long-term environmental stewardship.

Goals

  • Increase pollinator-friendly habitats to support biodiversity in Delray Beach

  • Create gardens that provide food and shelter for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds

  • Encourage residents to participate in Pollinator BioBlitz events and plantings

  • Maintain high plant survival rates and improve public understanding of garden life cycles

Reproducibility

  • Partnerships with local organizations and residents ensure project success

  • Pollinator gardens require minimal investment but provide lasting ecological benefits

  • Platforms like iNaturalist facilitate species documentation and community involvement

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Pollinator Friendly Schools Network (Portugal) [2025]

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Country: Portugal

Site: Municipality of Leiria, Pedrogao Centro beach

Target: Students and Schools, Teachers and Educators, Local communities and residents

Short Description

This project, in partnership with Quercus, engaged schools in tackling pollinator decline through hands-on solutions. Students learned about the importance of pollinators, insect hotels, and biodiverse grasslands. As a result, 45 myrtles, 45 rosemary plants, and various honey-producing species were planted in six schools, enhancing local biodiversity. The project aligned with SDG 2 by promoting sustainable agricultural practices that support ecological resilience and regeneration. Beyond education, the initiative contributed to ecological restoration by creating pollinator-friendly habitats. Schools became active agents of change, fostering awareness and implementing real-world solutions for environmental conservation.

Goals

  • Engage schools in planting pollinator-friendly species and creating insect hotels

  • Improve school environments with native plants that support pollinators

  • Align with SDG 2 by promoting ecological resilience and regeneration

  • Empower students and teachers to take real-world action in conservation efforts

Reproducibility

  • Can be replicated in schools worldwide

  • Engaging students in planting and building insect hotels ensures active learning

  • Selecting region-specific pollinator-friendly species enhances local biodiversity

  • Collaboration with environmental organizations like Quercus ensures expertise and scalability

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Bio Platges Met (Spain) [2025]

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Country: Spain

Site: Municipality of Gavá

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

Short Description

Gavá City Council, in collaboration with the Institute of Marine Sciences and CSIC, launched a citizen science project to monitor pollinators at the beach’s natural area. Informative posters invite visitors to photograph and report local flora and fauna, helping document species diversity and conservation status. This initiative raises public awareness of pollinators’ vital role in ecosystems while generating valuable scientific data. Signage effectively reaches a broad audience, but digital platforms further enhance participation. The project highlights the power of community involvement in biodiversity conservation and the importance of pollinators in maintaining environmental balance.

Goals

  • Educate the public on the vital role of pollinators in ecosystems through signage and digital platforms

  • Encourage visitors to photograph and report local flora and fauna to document species diversity

  • Collect valuable information on species conservation status to support research efforts

  • Enhance engagement and broaden reach through online participation tools.

Reproducibility

  • Monitor pollinators through simple, accessible reporting methods

  • Combine physical signage with digital platforms

  • Foster active public participation in monitoring local flora and fauna for data collection

  • Replicate efforts to track and report species diversity