Discover, Appreciate, Protect. ECOMARINAS Project at Fahrenheit Science Picnic.

Can you fall in love with the Baltic Sea by drawing a fish? Can searching for plastic in sand change the way we look at the sea? On May 25th, during the Fahrenheit Science Picnic at Hevelianum, we proved that yes – and we did it with a smile, a crayon in hand, and a childlike curiosity about the world.

As part of the ECOMARINAS project, the MARE Foundation, in collaboration with the Gdańsk Sports Center, created a space where environmental education became an exciting adventure. The booth was full of life: children were drawing marine creatures, talking about who lives in the Baltic Sea and why its ecosystem is so unique. Jellyfish, cod, seagulls, herring, and algae came to life – in the children’s imagination, each of these organisms had its own story. And we were learning about them together with the kids.

Tiny Beach, Huge Lesson

One of the most popular spots was our “mini beach” – at first glance, just a bowl of sand, but in reality, an educational tool. We hid plastic waste in it so that the youngest visitors could discover it like little archaeologists and, at the same time, understand where marine litter comes from and how it affects sea inhabitants. The children not only learned, but also started explaining to their parents why leaving trash on the beach is not allowed.

Adults, on the other hand, stopped by our Baltic Sea map – and not to look for holiday routes. We held discussions about marinas, ports, and the impact of shipping on the marine ecosystem. About how important it is to use the sea sustainably and how each of us – regardless of age – can have a real impact on its protection. 

Children’s drawings, serious conversations, the joy of discovery, and working together – all of this showed us that the most important education begins with emotions. To protect the Baltic Sea, we must first learn to appreciate and love it.

About the ECOMARINAS Project

The ECOMARINAS project, co-financed by the Interreg South Baltic 2021–2027 program, promotes sustainable marina management, environmental awareness, and harmonious human interaction with the sea. Marina operators, local governments, NGOs, and scientists from across the Baltic region are involved in the project’s activities. Education is one of its key pillars – because only an informed society can effectively protect what it values most: the natural environment.

We are grateful to Fahrenheit Universities for the invitation and to everyone who visited our booth – whether for a chat, a smile, a crayon, or the joy of exploring marine mysteries together.

More About the Project: ECOMARINAS