Guardian Dolphins programme embarks on a new school year, starting from Elba and including Capraia for the very first time

Marevivo's programme to promote young people’s knowledge of marine conservation across Italy’s smaller islands has now started from the Tuscan Archipelago for 2024-2025

Focus Area: Education

Marevivo’s Guardian Dolphins is an innovative educational programme that has been led and supported by the MSC Foundation since its inception in 2015, bringing over 10,000 students and teachers from Italy's smaller islands closer to the wonders of the sea. Engaging them in hands-on activities and guided exploration, it inspires island youths to become stewards of the ocean as they learn about their local marine environment and the pressing challenges faced by the oceans.

Now it has set sail again with the start of the 2024-2025 school year, starting from the Island of Elba for its seventh year and then landing on Capraia for the very first time. So, this year, over 200 students from primary schools in Portoferraio and Capraia will embark on this unique journey, exploring the Tuscan Archipelago's vibrant marine ecosystem. The programme here benefits from the patronage of Portoferraio and Capraia town councils, together with the partnership of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park, highlighting the critical role protected areas play in conserving our natural and cultural heritage.

The MSC Foundation’s Executive Director, Daniela Picco, explained the importance of the initiative: "When you know the sea, you protect it! Guardian Dolphins has nurtured a deep connection between young people and the marine environment since 2015, helping them understand how to care for it. Our efforts this school year are also focused on amplifying the ‘Il Mare a Scuola’ campaign to include ocean education in school curricula at all levels. That’s not just an urgent priority, but also a vital step for the future of our blue planet."

Guardian Dolphins enables its young participants to explore the ecological significance of the sea and its resources through an immersive learning experience that takes them through an engaging mix of indoor and outdoor activities, from educational outings to workshops and cataloguing marine biodiversity. Encounters with local institutions, creative presentations of scientific data, and hands-on explorations of marine ecosystems instil a deep respect for the ocean and its vital role in sustaining life.

At the end of their journey, the students become fully-fledged "Guardian Dolphins" and are encouraged to share their ongoing learnings with local institutions, alerting them to environmental concerns and advocating for best practices.

Laura Gentile, National Project Coordinator for Marevivo, emphasised the programme's broader mission: "Guardian Dolphins is not just about learning but also about participating in a cultural shift towards living in harmony with our planet. By recognising the key role of natural resources in the ecosystem, we can drive the ecological transition necessary for a more equitable and sustainable future."

This year’s programme will engage with over 1,600 students across Italy’s smaller islands, including Elba, Capraia, La Maddalena, Favignana, Marettimo and Ustica among others. By fostering a deep connection with the ocean and promoting sustainable practices, Guardian Dolphins continues to inform and inspire a new generation of environmental champions, helping ensure the protection of our precious marine ecosystems for years to come.