Innovative Wetland Education and Citizen Science tools to empower people taking part in wetland restoration (Restore4Life)

Engaging stakeholders and the public in the planning, implementing, and monitoring of restoration activities is key to the successful long-term restoration and protection of wetlands as life-supporting systems. In our Horizon Europe project Restore4Life (https://restore4life.eu/citizen-science/), we have developed a set of innovative offline and online wetland education tools to raise awareness for the significance of large-scale holistic restorations of functions and ecosystem services provided by European wetlands.

Based on gaps and needs identified in wetland education, we selected ten key topics for further development, such as water retention, habitat assessment, carbon sequestration, water purification, flood control, and recreation. These tools primarily target secondary high school students aged 10-18. The framework follows the "5E" Instructional Model (Engage, Explore, Explain, Extend, Evaluate). This constructivist lesson planning approach encourages active learning by building on students' curiosity.  

Furthermore, we developed the “Blue-Green Space4All” game as a dynamic Wetland Fresk, available in both online and offline formats. It is designed for children and adults to learn about the value of restored wetlands and can also be used in restoration planning by decision-makers and stakeholders. The offline prototype consists of hexagon-shaped cards that form a dynamic grid, enabling users to explore the interplay between actors, processes, and wetland functionality. Offline and online game versions follow a storyline where players journey along the Danube, encountering physical, chemical, and biological processes shaping wetland dynamics.

Finally, two mobile applications for citizens and stakeholders were developed to enhance wetland assessment engagement and efficiency. The “Wetland4Life” app empowers citizens to classify and identify wetlands, collect data, and gain insights into their characteristics and health. The “Solution4Life” app is designed for environmental managers and stakeholders, providing a quick and efficient way to assess the restoration potential of wetlands and determine priorities for interventions. Both apps rely on a robust scoring matrix to classify wetlands, providing clear and actionable insights that guide decision-making and enhance conservation and management efforts. Restore4Life is funded by the European Union.