Guardians of the Aegean
Myrina, Greece
3rd FUNDING CALL
The “Guardians of the Aegean” project stands as a beacon of collaborative environmental action, uniting students and communities on the islands of Lemnos and Chios to safeguard their precious marine ecosystems. This initiative showcases the power of citizen science and education in fostering environmental awareness and driving sustainable practices. With a focus on hands-on engagement and innovative tools, this project is setting a precedent for marine conservation efforts.
Objectives: Cultivating Marine Stewardship
The project’s objectives are designed to create a lasting impact:
- Foster Environmental Awareness: To educate students, citizens, and professionals about the importance of marine conservation.
- Train Students in Scientific Data Collection: To equip students with the skills to monitor seawater quality and interpret scientific data.
- Encourage Sustainable Practices: To promote responsible behaviors that protect marine ecosystems.
- Establish Long-Term Monitoring: To create a sustainable data collection framework for continuous seawater quality monitoring.
Activities and Collaborations: A Network of Action
The project employs a comprehensive approach, combining education with practical engagement:
- Introductory Educational Workshops: Providing students with foundational knowledge on marine biodiversity and conservation.
- Establishing Monitoring Stations: Setting up seawater monitoring stations with in-situ sensors and laboratory analysis.
- Open Lecture Series: Hosting lectures by marine biodiversity experts to enhance ocean literacy.
- Field Trip to Archipelagos Institute: Offering students hands-on experience in marine research.
- Data Collection and Analysis: Engaging students in regular data collection and interpretation.
- Community Participation: Creating an interactive map and educational videos to involve the broader community.
- Evaluation and Long-Term Monitoring Framework: Establishing a system for continued monitoring beyond the project’s duration.
- Final Presentations: Sharing project results with the public in open events.
The project includes collaboration with: Archipelagos Institute, Aegean Rebreath, Marine Science and Shipping Departments of the University of Aegean, North Aegean Region Chemistry Lab, and Maria Tsakos Foundation.
Outputs and Impact: Creating a Wave of Change
The project generates valuable outputs and achieves significant impact:
Multilingual Resources: Providing materials in English, French, and German for wider accessibility.
Increased Environmental Stewardship: Fostering a deeper understanding of marine ecosystems among participants.
Enhanced Student Skills: Students gain practical experience in scientific data collection and analysis.
Community Engagement: Local communities actively participate in marine monitoring and conservation.
Project Website: Providing access to project information, educational materials, and videos.
Interactive Map: Documenting biodiversity points of interest for community access.
Social Media Presence: Reaching a broader audience with project updates and information.
Long term data collection framework: The project sets up a system to continue to monitor the water after the project ends.
Funded by the European Union