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Communication, awareness raising, and environmental education

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A series of actions has been launched to promote the values of the marine Natura 2000 Network, emphasize the significance of conserving the marine environment, and raise environmental awareness among the economic sectors associated with the sea.

An awareness-raising programme that combines gamification, art, and science has been launched within this framework. The toolbox aims to raise public awareness of the value and importance of the marine protected areas within Spain’s Natura 2000 Network. The available actions comprise a virtual exhibition, a play, a participatory campaign, an escape room, and other resources and initiatives.

A training and awareness campaign will be designed and implemented for the nesting of the common turtle (Caretta caretta) in Andalusia.

Virtual exhibition

The virtual exhibition takes place inside the spaceship of an alien who is drawn to Earth by its blue planet and embarks on a mission in a marine Natura 2000 Network area in Spain.

The exhibition comprises interactive points that provide access to animated and 360º videos, maps, and infographics. These resources enable users to learn about the network of protected areas, as well as the habitats and species that require protection under the Habitats and Birds Directive.

Escape room

Another interactive point provides access to an escape room, which enables users to test their knowledge gained during the exhibition tour. The objective of the task is to assist the project team in identifying and designating a new Natura 2000 site while learning about its management.

Theatre play

The framework also produced a play called ‘The Invisible Diver’, which uses art and eto learn about the network of protected areasmotions to emphasise the significance of the ocean and protected marine areas. The play is scheduled to be performed at the Sala Pangolí in Barcelona starting in January 2023. Additionally, a virtual screening has been organized.

Directed by the theatre company El Gato Sonámbulo, the play narrates the meeting of a writer and a mysterious diver who has a crucial message for her that will alter her future. During this meeting, we will discuss the ecosystem services provided by the ocean, the threats it faces, and the rich biodiversity found in protected marine areas.

The resources on the website descubrenatura2000marina.es are freely available for use and dissemination.

Alliances: citizen science

The LIFE INTEMARES project promotes citizen science through its alliance with the Observadores del Mar platform. This platform is coordinated by three institutes of the Spanish National Research Council: ICM, CEAB, and IMEDEA. This programme is promoted throughout all marine areas, and the scientific research network, consisting of citizens, scientific and research teams, is strengthened. This network provides and validates data on impacts, habitats, and species in the Spanish marine environment, particularly in the marine Natura 2000 Network areas.

The data is transferred to the Nature Data Bank, EMODNet Biology, and the GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility) to expand knowledge in an open manner. To date, more than 9,000 pieces of data have been provided.

The objective is for competent administrations to be able to use this scientific knowledge in the management of marine protected areas.

The platform currently hosts 17 active projects dedicated to marine conservation, which focus on various scientific areas, including biodiversity, alien species, endangered species, marine litter, and climate change. The project involves 110 researchers and has the collaboration of over 4,100 observers and 419 entities. These entities have registered more than 19,000 observations, which confirms the dedication of this community of ocean enthusiasts.

Environmental Volunteering

On the other hand, LIFE INTEMARES aligns with the Environmental Volunteering Programme of the Biodiversidad Foundation. The programme has involved 8,095 volunteers in actions to improve the conservation of marine ecosystems in the Natura 2000 Network and other activities.

Volunteers have also been encouraged to participate in camps to monitor and protect common turtle nests on the Spanish coasts where nesting events have occurred. Awareness-raising, removal of plastics and waste from the coast, and dune protection activities have been carried out. The Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge has promoted this action as part of LIFE INTEMARES.

Scientific, technical, and informative publications

The project has resulted in the production of publications. These include:

Scientific articles Article in Quercus magazine Article in Ambienta magazine Protected areas In-Sight. The journal of Europarc Federation Article for the National Environmental Congress (CONAMA)

Awards

LIFE INTEMARES has received two awards since the start of the project:

Dissemination

The project’s progress and milestones are communicated to the public through press releases sent to the media, media interviews, news published on the project’s website, and content disseminated on its profile on the social network X.

Events

We have participated in over 70 national and international events, including:

Experience demonstrating awareness-raising

Volunteering to monitor marine biodiversity in the Natura 2000 Network in Andalusia

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