Last week, GreenCoLab’s Outreach team participated in the 4th edition of the Marine Forests Festival, which is taking place from May 13 to 22 at Colégio Nossa Senhora da Graça in Vila Nova de Milfontes.
The event concluded with a networking session and an exchange of experiences, underscoring the importance of collaboration among science, industry, and regional stakeholders as a catalyst for innovation and sustainable growth in blue biotechnology.
GreenCoLab’s participation came at the invitation of the festival organisers, including the Municipality of Odemira, CCMAR – Centre for Marine Sciences, Colégio Nossa Senhora da Graça, the University of the Algarve, and the Parish Council of Vila Nova de Milfontes.
Over two days of activities, GreenCoLab’s science outreach team engaged with more than 700 students and approximately 50 teachers, from elementary through high school, through presentations and interactive activities focused on seagrass beds, algae biotechnology, and the fundamental role of these organisms in marine ecosystems.
The activities aimed to bring participants closer to algae-related science and innovation, exploring topics such as sustainable food production, carbon sequestration, the blue circular economy, and algae’s potential to develop more sustainable solutions for the future.
Through educational challenges, organism observation, and opportunities for scientific exchange, GreenCoLab reinforced its mission to promote ocean literacy and to bring the community closer to research in the blue biotechnology sector.
The Marine Forests Festival once again brought together scientists, students, residents, and visitors in a celebration dedicated to coastal and marine ecosystems, promoting environmental awareness, biodiversity conservation, and society’s active involvement in building a more sustainable and conscious blue economy.
GreenCoLab’s participation in these initiatives reinforces the institution’s commitment to education, science communication, and promoting the ocean as a driver of innovation, sustainability, and development for future generations.
