Let’s form marine shelters
Valencia, Spain
1st FUNDING CALL
The initiative focuses on promoting oceanic culture and aiding the survival of the critically endangered seahorse species Syngnathus hippocampus and its natural habitat. Students and faculty from various training centres are collaborating to design and manufacture biodegradable shelters. These efforts are set to provide safe havens for seahorses while fostering environmental awareness and respect for seawater quality, which is often overlooked in academic settings.
Firstly, students are engaged in a competition to design “seahorse hotels,” using new technologies and creative thinking. Before diving into the design process, participants receive specialized workshops educating them about the species and its environment, promoting an integrated learning experience across different schools. These preparatory activities are part of a broader “open schooling” approach, including the collection and analysis of seawater samples to establish a baseline of environmental health and biotic presence.
A select design will be chosen based on its suitability for the seahorses and their environment. Welding students, aided by local partners, will construct the shelter structures. This phase not only enhances technical skills but also strengthens community and professional partnerships.
The culmination of the project is the installation of these selected shelters and permitted seabed locations, performed by skilled divers. This installation is followed by a dissemination and follow-up phase, where the project’s outcomes are shared globally through educational videos and materials produced in English.
To ensure the project’s ongoing impact, materials and data are made available for public access, encouraging replication and continuous improvement. Folgado’s approach not only aids a vulnerable species but also cultivates a generation of motivated conservation advocates, demonstrating a successful melding of education and “blue” stewardship.
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Funded by the European Union