PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
People in Italy are not fully aware of environmental problems and only 3.4% of volunteers in the country are engaged in environmental concerns. There is therefore a need for initiatives to bring more young volunteers into the field of environmental conservation, specifically concerning bird species.
OBJECTIVES
The LIFE CHOO-NA! project aimed to recruit, train and lead a group of 310 young volunteers from the European Solidary Corps (ESC) in the management of specific critical threats to natural and agricultural habitats of importance for birds, as well as direct threats to 11 bird species at Natura 2000 network sites, national and regional parks, and other natural habitats. The target birds were eight species listed for special protection under the Birds Directive (2009/147/EC) and three species that are highly threatened by illegal activities in a specific Italian context. The project’s specific goals were to: provide volunteers with a context for action that will help to improve their skills (theoretical and practical training), motivation, coordination and inclusion within LIPU structures; identify environmental problems through field activities such as surveillance, monitoring and collection of data; and apply the communication plan to raise awareness on issues related to the project, its methods, and the results achieved at local, national and European levels.
RESULTS
The LIFE CHOO-NA! project, carried out by LIPU (Lega Italiana Protezione Uccelli Onlus), recruited, trained and deployed a total of 414 volunteers in nature conservation work over three years (August 2017 to August 2020). 20 groups of volunteers monitored target bird species and carried out awareness and surveillance activities in 11 Italian regions. In most cases, the number of nests located and protected by LIFE CHOO-NA! volunteers greatly exceeded expectations.
Volunteers monitored and protected nests of bird species, particularly those protected under the EU Bird Directive, such as Kentish plover (Charadrius alexandrinus), white stork (Ciconia ciconia), lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni) and Montagu's harrier (Circus pygargus), and three species strongly threatened by poaching, Bonelli’s eagle (Hieraaetus fasciatus), lanner falcon (Falco biarmicus feldeggii) and Eleonora's falcon (Falco eleonorae). Specifically, 81 volunteers working in six Italian regions helped boost the breeding success of the Kentish plover through nest surveillance, informing beach-goers on what not to do, and raising awareness among beach managers on the presence of the Kentish plover and how best to conduct beach clean-up operations. 50 volunteers helped boost the breeding success of the white stork in three Italian regions. In Calabria the local group collaborated with ENEL to install an artificial nesting platform that was immediately occupied by a breeding pair. 46 volunteers in Sicily carried out surveillance and monitoring of Bonelli’s eagle and lanner falcon. 8 volunteers also held four anti-poaching camps in southern Sardinia, and in collaboration with the State Forestry Corps and the Carabinieri Forestali forestry police, over 3 000 traps set by poachers to catch blackbirds, robins and song thrushes were seized, and charges were pressed against two people. 15 volunteers working in two Italian regions to boost the breeding success of lesser kestrel, and 9 volunteers worked on protecting Montagu’s harrier by installing mesh fences in the provinces of Viterbo and Foggia.
The project also trained a group of 76 volunteers in three regions (Lombardy, Tuscany, and Latium) to intervene in case of fuel spills in marine or inland waters. Thanks to the project, the relevant authorities are aware that LIPU volunteers are available to help them rescue wildlife. Moreover, the presence of volunteers in the field was an effective deterrent against illegal activities that harm the environment, such as fuel spills, poaching, or vehicle access in areas where this is not allowed. The project through the awareness activities of volunteers informed 19 000 citizens and 260 stakeholders. Another group of volunteers were dedicated to the communication of the project results, mainly through social media.
A national coordinator and 22 local coordinators organised the activities of the volunteers (over 65 000 hours of volunteering). The innovative and successful recruitment campaign was conducted via social media, with the recruited volunteers registering on the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) portal. The beneficiary carried out training of volunteers through an online portal and field sessions (overall, 9 629 hours of e-learning and 10 963 hours of field training). Another key project innovation was the implementation by LIPU of the VRM (Volunteer Relationship Management) App, developed by the communication agency Kreativehouse. It was used to manage volunteer work hours and expenses, and included a validation system for data entry.
The project produced and disseminated 98 000 postcards depicting target bird species (with caricatures of volunteers and/or local coordinators) by the illustrator Ale Giorgini, along with 106 000 stickers, 106 000 cut-outs of volunteers with information on the European Solidarity Corps, and 10 000 postcard booklets. During the COVID-19 lockdown, the project carried out many online events. The final event, before the pandemic, was held in Milan (16-18 May 2019) with 1 816 people attending it, mainly young volunteers.
The project contributed to the implementation of the EU Birds Directive, Habitats Directive and the Biodiversity Strategy. It represented a successful pilot LIFE ESC project for the deployment of the European Solidarity Corps in the field of nature conservation.
The project launched a strong social message addressed to young people, and promoted the value of environmental volunteering. A network of volunteers throughout Italy was established, enabling exchanges between regions. For many volunteers, the project experience enhanced their skills, including communication and relationship soft skills. The certificate of participation in the European Solidarity Corps has helped boost the volunteers’ future job prospects. For example, of 303 volunteers involved in bird nesting activities, 226 reached or exceeded the minimum number of 42 days of volunteering to obtain their certification.
Further information on the project can be found in the project's After-LIFE Communication Plan (see "Read more" section).
