Joining Efforts to Conserve the Kentish Plover and Its Habitats Celebration

Date: 18 October

The IBERALEX project, supported by the Interreg POCTEP, invites everyone to join in raising awareness about the conservation of the Kentish plover (Anarhynchus alexandrinus) and its habitats. This special day focuses on environmental education and hands-on activities that help protect the species.

All project partners will take part, each offering unique activities:

• Universidad de Santiago de Compostela (BP): Beach clean-ups in NUT ES111 will be combined with plover observation, highlighting the species’ needs and conservation tasks. The event will involve environmental agents from the Xunta de Galicia.

• Universidad de Cádiz (BE3): Giant Kentish plover figures will welcome students and teachers for a photo opportunity. Participants can share simple actions they take to help the plover, such as keeping dogs on a leash.

• Universidad de Extremadura (BE4): A beach clean-up at Alange reservoir (NUT ES431) will be paired with species observation and an educational talk. Collaboration with the Alange Town Council is expected.

• Universidade de Aveiro (BE5): Students from local schools will locate and observe plovers, learning about habitat conservation and responsible use.

• Universidade de Coimbra (BE6): A guided tour of plover nesting beaches (NUT PT16E) includes observation and rubbish collection along a 2 km path, discussing threats to the species.

• Vita Nativa (BE7): Nesting and wintering beaches (NUT PT150) will be cleaned, accompanied by a talk on the importance of dunes for the Kentish plover.

Complementary activity:

The ‘Ojo Chorlitejo Patinegro’ photography competition is open until 12 October. On 18 October, the top three photos will be displayed for voting during Interreg Cooperation Day. More details are available on the IBERALEX website.