Natural Heritage Mission (NHM) partners have been active across Europe, organising Info Days to promote awareness and engagement in ecosystem restoration, climate resilience, and nature conservation. These events are a core part of the Solve The Challenge Awareness Campaign 2024 (#Solvethechallenge2024), inspiring dialogue, sharing knowledge, and fostering partnerships. Here’s an overview of what happened and what’s ahead for the mission.
Throughout 2024, NHM partners organized Info Days in Slovenia, Greece, Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Bulgaria. These events targeted diverse audiences, from university students and researchers to secondary schools and local stakeholders. The initiatives ranged from hands-on activities like beach cleanups to participating in international conferences. The overarching goal was to promote the NHM’s mission of protecting biodiversity and implementing restoration initiatives.
The Info Days aim to bring communities and stakeholders closer to scientific knowledge, inspire collaborative action, and equip individuals and organizations with tools to tackle environmental challenges. By doing so, the NHM reinforces its commitment to fostering a culture of sustainability and resilience across Europe.
From International events to schools: what Natural Heritage Mission did
National Institute of Biology (NIB), Slovenia
At the ŠtartUP 2024 event, NIB engaged over 180 university students, conducting surveys on nature conservation and marine bio-components in cosmetics. The aim was to gauge student interest in these topics and foster conversations about blue biotechnologies and the ocean’s role in sustainable development. (Find out more)
NTUA, Greece
The National Technical University of Athens co-organised with the Natural Environment & Climate Change Agency-NECCA several Info Days across secondary schools in Attica, focusing on coastal protection, interregional cooperation, and restoration actions. Students had the opportunity to learn about Attica’s protected areas, the Posidonia oceanica’s role in the Mediterranean Sea, and tools for fire prevention and firefighting. These Info Days were supported by the Natural Heritage Mission’s Thematic Projects: ARTEMIS and FRED, and other initiatives (project PARALIES). During one of these events, a beach cleanup took place at Schinias National Park. (Find out more)
IrRADIARE, Portugal
During the Climate Alliance International Conference in Cascais, IrRADIARE highlighted NHM’s vision at the “Learn and Share Marketplace.” The event facilitated discussions among experts, community leaders, and stakeholders to explore innovative solutions for climate resilience and sustainable natural heritage management. (Find out more)
CREAF, Spain
CREAF participated in the International Congress on Innovation in Atmospheric Water Harvesting and Environmental Restoration Techniques promoted by LIFE NIEBLAS in Gran Canaria, emphasizing innovative forest restoration techniques like fog water harvesting. They showcased the NHM’s potential to amplify such solutions during networking sessions and poster presentations.(Find out more)
CoNISMA, Italy
At the European Marine Biology Symposium, CoNISMA set up an engaging stand with videos, printed materials, and presentations. A Natural Heritage Mission representative participated in a panel on enhancing project cooperation for marine biodiversity restoration and stakeholder engagement. (Find out more)
University of Forestry and Association of Parks in Bulgaria, Bulgaria
In Blagoevgrad, an Info Day focused on wetlands’ role in combating climate change. Representatives from local authorities, academia, and agriculture discussed Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for wetland conservation and sustainable management, aligning with NHM’s ecosystem restoration campaign. (Find out more)
Info Days 2024: goals
- Raise Awareness: Educate communities about the importance of nature conservation and restoration.
- Promote Collaboration: Build connections between scientists, stakeholders, and local communities.
- Empower Action: Provide individuals with the knowledge and resources to protect natural heritage.
- Inspire Youth: Engage the younger generation as active participants in ecological restoration efforts.
By building on this year’s successes, the Natural Heritage Mission is poised to create an even greater impact in the coming year. Together, we can protect and restore our natural heritage for both our and future generations.
