Our Sea Begins Here, in the Lis River Basin -Leiria, Portugal

ESFRL is a secondary school in Leiria, Portugal, located within the Lis River Basin (BHL – “Bacia Hidrográfica do Lis”). This region features a temperate maritime climate with wet winters and dry summers, situated between Mesozoic limestone mountains and coastal plains, dominated by sedimentary marine or transitional facies. The BHL is a typical Mediterranean biotope covering approximately 945 km², where life forms show remarkable adaptations to torrential hydrological cycles.

The basin supports agricultural, industrial, and urban activities that rely on both surface and groundwater resources. Many of these activities cause pollution, creating vulnerabilities for soils, water, and all living organisms in the river and the sea. Maintaining environmental quality requires minimizing human impact, including pollution, habitat fragmentation, introduction of invasive species, and continuous human presence.

In this context, 11th-grade students in the Biology and Geology discipline engage in practical, procedural, and creative learning more, using the resources of the BHL. The project encourages hands-on, methodical, and laboratory-based investigations. Students are tasked with producing a scientific product that promotes the conservation of local biotopes or improves the living conditions of native species in the BHL and/or the sea.

Guided by the principle of being a “Blue School,” the project seeks to raise awareness that protecting the sea requires respecting the ecological and biological dynamics of the river basin, from aquifer recharge zones and watercourses to dunes and beaches near the Lis River estuary. Through this initiative, students learn to connect scientific knowledge with real-world environmental challenges, fostering both ecological literacy and civic responsibility.

By integrating scientific inquiry with environmental stewardship, the project aims to develop student skills, contribute to local conservation efforts, and promote a sustainable relationship between human activities and natural ecosystems.