To set up an educational and participative project, with continuity over time, to transmit and promote the work and actions for the conservation of a native species in regression and very vulnerable to climate change: the European pond turtle. To promote and create resources that enhance the quality of training, participative and collaborative actions with different types of public. To share results and establish collaborations as a basis for further dissemination to other centres and countries.
The European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) is one of the most threatened reptiles in Europe, making it essential to combine conservation actions with environmental outreach. Its survival depends on freshwater habitats with abundant vegetation, which are highly vulnerable to climate change in the Mediterranean region. To address this situation, PALOMBAR and GREFA proposed three lines of action: • Educational Infrastructure: GREFA has more than a decade of experience in the captive breeding of this species. Through this project, we aimed to share this work with the public by creating an observation area and installing a camera system that allows visitors to learn about the breeding process while respecting the specific conditions required by these facilities. • Citizen Science and Mapping: Due to the lack of updated data in northern Portugal, groups of local volunteers have been trained to carry out regional mapping and update the status of the species’ populations. • Habitat Restoration: Training and resources were provided to carry out hands-on tasks (riverbank clean-ups, plantings, and pond creation), encouraging citizen participation in improving the environment.