Oyster reef restoration, engaging minds: Citizen science for coastal conservation

Effective communication and public engagement are essential components of restoration projects, particularly those involving nature-based solutions. As part of the EU- co-funded LIFE NatuReef project, a communication and education strategy was developed to promote community involvement and raise awareness on coastal ecosystems conservation. A core element of this strategy is the organization of citizen science initiatives, including a series of BioBlitz events. One of them aimed at monitoring stranded materials along the sandy beach in front of the restored oyster reef. In preparation for the first BioBlitz, held in October 2024, students participated to a classroom lesson introducing the Reef Check Mediterranean Sea (RCMed) beach monitoring protocol. This session provided the necessary knowledge to conduct standardised field observations. The field activity involved 42 students and 6 teachers from two secondary school classes. Using 50×50 cm quadrats, participants recorded observations across pre-defined categories, such as algal remains, plastic debris, and other indicators of coastal ecosystem health. A total of 50 quadrat records were collected and uploaded to the RCMed portal, contributing to the project’s baseline for long-term monitoring. A follow-up event in early 2025 allowed participating students to present their findings to over 100 classmates through group presentations. They outlined the protocol, described their field experience, and discussed the ecological relevance of their observations. The educational pathway proposed began in the classroom learning, followed by practical fieldwork, and concluded with a peer dissemination phase. This progression not only deepened the young student’s understanding of coastal ecosystems but also helped generate broader interest in marine conservation within the school. Integrating citizen science with focused environmental education proved effective both in generating valuable baseline data and in promoting ecological awareness and community engagement in coastal restoration efforts