Save The Med: 2022 Highlights So Far

Spring is here and it's time for another update from Save The Med. From The Changemaker's Project which continues to engage students in the reduction of single-use plastics to its marine protection work on the Cape of Formentor, the team has been extremely busy over the first four months of the year, with even more projects set to be completed in the coming months.

Marine Protection – Continuing work in Formentor

More than 20 habitats and 500 different species make up one of the richest underwater seascapes in the Serra de Tramuntana. In recent years, Save The Med's efforts to reestablish the marine ecosystems of the Balearic Islands have focused, among other areas, on the Cape of Formentor. On the Tramuntana coastline, it has one of the area’s greatest potential for transformation into a healthy marine environment. To date, Save The Med’s scientific team has investigated 26 km of underwater coastal ecosystems, running along the cape, from Punta Beca to the Formentor lighthouse.

Thanks to the support of Camper and 11th Hour Racing Team, the foundation will now continue to study the area, with an innovative holistic approach to the management of the natural environment, involving both land and sea based activities. The project focuses on dialogues with different stakeholders, as well as the specific needs of the communities that live there. The ultimate goal is to collectively promote the regeneration of the area's marine and terrestrial ecosystems. The project focuses on working together with local communities and collaborating with fellow NGOs based in the area.

Discover your Marine Protected Area Sa Dragonera

On March 15^th, Save the Med organised the first of three Xarxa Dragonera Blava Forums. These participatory events aim to build a strong network among the community of Sa Dragonera while encouraging and facilitating Participatory Governance and Marine Stewardship. During the event the team talked about the project, discussed the different legal protection frameworks that are in place in the area, and the community members presented their concerns and ideal scenarios that they envision for the regeneration of Sa Dragonera. 

The Changemakers Project

The Changemakers Project continues to engage students in the reduction of single-use plastics. Forty teams with more than 160 students aged 15-18 have signed-up to help curb the use of single use plastics. In addition, six primary school classes are also currently participating in the recently launched “Changemakers Junior” project, with the same objective. Already in its fifth year, the initiative is set to expand into a university setting early next autumn in collaboration with University of the Balearic Islands.

Pollution Reduction – Plastic Free Balearics

The Plastic Free Balearics Certification Initiative, which was launched in 2021 to help companies reduce their use of single use plastics, has now published a free guide that facilitates purchasing decisions with a lower environmental impact among the hospitality sector. Learn more and download the GUIDE TO HONEST ALTERNATIVES TO SINGLE-USE PLASTICS here.

Ma13 y Ecafè from Sineu are the latest businesses that have become Plastic Free Guardians and received their first certificates.

Dos Manos Schools Programme

So far this year, 857 students have already participated in the Dos Manos Schools Programme and its citizen science activities, with the aim of collecting plastic pollution data and developing solutions to reduce waste generation at source.