Water Bridges is an innovative educational and citizen science project focused on the conservation of the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis), a species native to the Iberian Peninsula that is in decline and highly vulnerable to climate change. It is funded by the European Union's Erasmus+ programme and will run for 18 months. Coordinated by GREFA - Grupo de Rehabilitación de la Fauna Autóctona y su Hábitat, Spain, its partner is Palombar - Conservação da Natureza e do Património Rural.

The project has two lines of action:

• To promote training, participatory and collaborative actions to mitigate the environmental and ecological problems affecting this species, including illegal exploitation, the abandonment of pets and the destruction of its habitat;
• To implement face-to-face and digital learning activities and methods that promote knowledge and recovery of the European pond turtle, as well as the restoration of its habitats (banks, ponds, etc.) and the biodiversity they harbour. In addition, it aims to contribute to the creation of a regional map of the species, for which distribution and occurrence data are scarce and outdated.

The project's area of intervention in Portugal is the Trás-os-Montes region, where Palombar is responsible for developing environmental education and awareness actions in the community and in schools, Citizen Science and training sessions.

The European pond turtle is one of the most endangered reptiles in Europe, with an ‘Endangered’ status according to the Red Book of Vertebrates of Portugal. Its conservation depends fundamentally on the preservation and restoration of its habitats, namely freshwater areas, preferably with little or no current and abundant vegetation cover. This species is also very vulnerable to climate change, so mitigating its impact is essential, as is increasing knowledge and awareness about its populations.

With the involvement of the entire community, this project aims to make a decisive contribution to the conservation of the European pond turtle in Portugal and Spain.

Coordination GREFA
Partner Palombar
Area of intervention Mirandese Plateau (in Portugal)
Funding EU Erasmus + KA210-ADU Programme