Reconnecting with nature
#ItIsNotTooLate Seagrass Beds
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#ItIsNotTooLate Seagrass Beds is an eco-activist project for preservation and valorisation of seagrass as a source of marine life. Through research and knowledge transfer, public eco-actions and art installation, we aim to raise awareness of the local community and tourists about the importance of sea plants, create a lasting impact on the quality of life of the fish stock and the ecosystem, and build a sense of shared responsibility for the regeneration of our common natural environment.
EU Member State, Western Balkans or Ukraine
Croatia
Local
Gornji Karin, Donji Karin, Novigrad, Kruševo, Pridraga, Benkovac, Obrovac, Zadar
Yes
Croatia- Jadranska Hrvatska
No
It addresses urban-rural linkages
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
Yes
2023-10-09
Yes
EMFF : European Maritime and Fisheries Fund
No
No
As a representative of an organisation, in partnership with other organisations
#ItIsNotTooLate Seagrass Beds is an eco-activist project which focuses on the preservation of seagrass beds in the FLAG (Fisheries Local Action Group) area Three Seas – Adriatic, Novigrad and Karin – and valorisation of their importance for the ecosystem through research and knowledge transfer, public eco-actions, and art installation. By raising the awareness of the local communities and tourists about the importance of sea plants, the main objective of the project is to reduce the environmental impact of human activities and foster a sense of shared responsibility for the preservation and regeneration of our common natural environment. We want to value and protect seagrass beds as a source of marine life, through (1) mapping the state of seagrass areas, (2) removal of waste in the surrounding watershed, and (3) familiarisation of the community with the natural resources through a series of public activities. In three eco-cleaning actions, volunteers, local activists, mountaineers and climbers collected 1 ton of glass waste on the hiking path to the river Bijela canyon, as well as five tons of surrounding mixed waste. Public call for artists “On accepting the undesirable” invited proposals for reuse of the collected glass waste in an artistic intervention which will permanently point to the problem of environmental pollution. Among 46 applications from around the world, the curatorial team selected the project “See glass again” by Dodd Holsapple (USA): a ring-shaped drywall with a glass mosaic illustrating an eel swimming through seagrass to serve as a space for gathering in the common nature protected area. In 2023, the installation was built through a series of public workshops attended by hundreds of residents, students, cultural workers, mountaineers and regional and international activists. In this way the artwork, in addition to the artist's, received the signature of all those who participated in the public events of the project.
preservation of seagrass beds
public eco-actions
sustainable development of local communities
public art co-creation
creating dialog through ecology, art and activism
Seagrass beds produce oxygen, store CO2, and preserve the biodiversity of the Croatian seabed. They are threatened by human activity through anchoring of boats in the seagrass areas, wastewater pollution, construction and backfilling in the sea, fish and shellfish farms, marinas and harbours, and the use of certain fishing gear. Destruction of seagrass occurs daily and is most intense in the summer when the Adriatic is crowded with nautical vessels. The reduction of seabeds is invisible to most and is witnessed predominantly by the researchers and divers who participate in projects whose purpose is to protect them. Transfer of such knowledge and re-education of the general population on the importance of seagrass, often seen as undesirable in the touristic areas, can contribute to the change of perspective and reduction of environmental impact of human activities.
The key objectives of this project include (1) mapping of seagrass species Zostera marina, Zostra noltei, Cymodocea nodosa in the Karin Sea, (2) waste removal in the surrounding watershed area, and (3) education of local communities and tourists on the importance of seagrass through series of public activities. As a result of the project, the current state of seabeds in the local area of Karin Sea has been recorded and will serve as a base for future monitoring actions. Tons of waste have been removed from nature in public eco-actions. Collected glass waste has been reused in the creation of an art installation, a circular drywall with a glass mosaic depicting an ancient symbol “ouroboros”, used to represent eternal cyclic renewal. The drywall constructed from stone waste, i.e. discarded off-cuts from a local stone processing plant, further promotes life-cycle thinking and use of local natural materials. Through synergy of art, ecology and public action, a previously polluted micro location in the protected area Natura 2000 of river Bijela has been transformed into an engaging public art space.
The key objectives of this project include (1) mapping of seagrass species Zostera marina, Zostra noltei, Cymodocea nodosa in the Karin Sea, (2) waste removal in the surrounding watershed area, and (3) education of local communities and tourists on the importance of seagrass through series of public activities. As a result of the project, the current state of seabeds in the local area of Karin Sea has been recorded and will serve as a base for future monitoring actions. Tons of waste have been removed from nature in public eco-actions. Collected glass waste has been reused in the creation of an art installation, a circular drywall with a glass mosaic depicting an ancient symbol “ouroboros”, used to represent eternal cyclic renewal. The drywall constructed from stone waste, i.e. discarded off-cuts from a local stone processing plant, further promotes life-cycle thinking and use of local natural materials. Through synergy of art, ecology and public action, a previously polluted micro location in the protected area Natura 2000 of river Bijela has been transformed into an engaging public art space.
By means of culture and artistic activities within the eco-activist project #ItIsNotTooLate Seagrass Beds, we strive to make depopulated rural spaces active participants in the cultural scene, and at the same time bring attention to people's problems, values and potential, and involve all citizens in common events and actions. In 2022, a workshop “On accepting the undesirable” gathered artists around the common interest of abolishing preconceived differences and divisions and creating a healthy society through artistic work and social exchange. The workshop introduced the artists to the local economic, social and environmental problems. The ecological theme of destruction and rejection of seagrass, refers to the problems of rejection in society and advocates for a more aware, healthier society, based on education as a prerequisite for inclusiveness. The resulting art works were shared at the final exhibition in the village Lončari and Zagreb. Furthermore, a public call for artists was published, with the main goal of creating a public sculpture from locally collected waste as a reminder of ecological awareness. Dodd Holsapple’s installation “See glass again” represents the metamorphosis of glass waste into a lookout point, a toponym in the landscape and a place for gathering with an artistic intervention that also has the function of a resting area in the form of a bench. The inspiration for the creation of the circular form comes from the ancient symbol “ouroboros” (snake, dragon, lizard), translated into the local context with an illustration of the European eel characteristic of the Three Seas area. The mosaic was created on the base of a drywall, using local materials and building techniques, through active participation of nationally diverse population from the area, artists, students, ecologists and mountaineers, who thus became the co-creators of the artwork and agents of change towards a more connected, inclusive and ecologically aware society.
The main public activities of the project took place in the village Lončari, on the hillside of Karin Gornji, which today counts only 10 residents as a result of the Croatian war of independence in 1990s. After being emptied from ethnic Serbs in the military action “Storm” in 1995, Karin Gornji was populated by Bosnian refugees, ethnic Croatians, mostly in the seaside areas, leaving the rural parts of the village depopulated. A small number of Serbian refugees returned after the war, without significant integration. All residents, being refugees in a certain period of the conflict, feel like victims and accuse “the other”. Public eco-actions, art exhibitions and workshops brought together an ethnically diverse population from the area around a shared ecological problem, supported by independent associations, public administration, artists, volunteers and the media. During a 5-week art residency in September and October 2023, Dodd Holsapple become the eleventh resident of Lončari, where he integrated the shared experience of the people who worked on the waste collection, the natural and cultural heritage of the area and the local fishing tradition as elements for the co-creation of the artwork. Farmer’s market was organised during public eco-actions, promoting local products and crafts, adding to the visibility of otherwise isolated communities, and creating opportunities for social interaction and exchange across ethnic, generational or geographic divides. By connecting art and the international scene with the sensitive issues of the local community, a programme of activities with engaging, emancipatory, activist and socially significant character has been established, in which the integration of the Serbian minority represents a very valuable aspect. Through a collaborative and inclusive process, the project aims to create a long-term impact on the improvement of social relations, conscious engagement of the community and coexistence with nature.
The project has been led by three local civil society organisations: Association for nature, environment, sustainable development and tourism „Lončari“, Ecological association Zrmanja, and Marine Explorers Society - 20.000 leagues, which recognised the needs for action, secured funding for project activities, conducted research on seagrass beds, organised public actions, and ensured the visibility of the project, both locally and internationally. As the project grew bigger and gained recognition, more individuals and civil society organisations supported various project activities. The international call for artists “On accepting the undesirable” was co-organised by Marko Simić (NGO Lončari), curators Davorka Perić (Vizura Aperta) and Zoran Pantelić (Centar_kuda.org), executive art producer Juraj Aras (Teatro Verrdi) and art production supervisor Jagoda Cupać (TU Dresden). The implementation of project activities was strongly supported by the sport climbing association SPK Paklenica who partnered all the events, bringing on board an international community of climbers. In the nature protected area of river Bijela canyon, in addition to the main project activities, they set up a highline, discovered two new boulders, and mapped ten new climbing routes. Citizens have been involved through public eco actions in the collection of waste and the co-creation of the artwork together with the artist Dodd Holsapple. Drywall construction workshop was led by the association Dragodid, who transferred the knowledge on this heritage building technique. Hundreds of volunteers participated in the public actions, which helped raise awareness of the importance of seagrass beds, promote reuse of materials and reduce the negative impact of human activities on the ecosystem. Public events equally provided visibility to the depopulated areas and increased the quality of life for the local communities, by transforming an illegal landfill into an exemplary natural public art space.
The main stakeholders of the project are the local communities in the Three Seas area, represented through civil society associations, volunteers, activist, artists and citizens. Local stakeholders were engaged in the design and implementation of the project through a variety of methods, including public workshops and meetings held throughout the project to inform the residents about the project and to gather their feedback. With the support of the local municipality of Karin Gornji, the project received initial funding through the Fisheries local action group (FLAG) “Three seas”, co-financed by the European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund, for its contribution to the valorisation, protection and promotion of the natural resource base - rivers, seas and coasts. Furthermore, for the public eco-actions in the nature protection areas Natura 2000 of the river Bijela, the project team consulted Natura Jadera, public institution for the management of protected areas of nature in Zadar County. They provided support in the mapping of the hiking and climbing routes in the area and sponsored the marking activities of (newly) identified routes, implemented by the members of the sport climbing association SPK Paklenica. The location thus attracted a wider community of climbers and mountaineers, giving the project an international outreach. Artistic activities, including art workshops and exhibitions, and the public call for artists “On accepting the undesirable”, were organised through collaboration with several regional art associations, and funded through national bodies Kultura Nova Foundation and the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia. Particular efforts for the engagement of the Serbian ethnic minority were recognised and financially supported by the Serb National Council and the Office for Human Rights and the Rights of National Minorities of the Government of the Republic of Croatia, reinforcing the credibility and impact of the project.
The project #ItIsNotTooLate Seagrass Beds is a dialogue between creatives, artists, researchers, activists and the local community. The project was initiated through eco-activism, based on the research of marine biologists, gathered in the Marine Explorers Society - 20.000 leagues, on the state of seagrass beds in the FLAG area Tree Seas, and the problems of the local community affected by environmental pollution, represented through the NGO “Lončari“ and the Ecological association Zrmanja. The methodology of the project is inter- and transdisciplinary. We want to focus on the synergy between art, society, technology and ecology. The workshop and the call for artists “On accepting the undesirable” was organised by local and regional art associations, with the intention of applying artistic practices as a powerful tool for raising awareness and promoting change. The call was shared internationally in 7 languages through specialised art media, which resulted in 46 proposals from around the world. The proposals were assessed by a jury, which besides art curators involved an interaction designer and a researcher on circularity of glass and building materials. The jury, together with the local community, supported the author of the awarded project, Dodd Holsapple, in translating his proposal into the local context and ensuring the production of the cultural content is public, inclusive and sustainable. Researchers from the Faculty of Civil Engineering in Rijeka and the association Dragodid advised on the stabilisation techniques for the drywall and the substrates for the implementation of the glass mosaic, while collected glass waste was tested by the researchers at TU Delft to determine the effects of prolonged exposure to outdoor environment on the casting potential of the glass. Public actions were enriched by the participation of climbers, musicians, local family farms, volunteering organisations, students of art and design and numerous locals and tourists.
The main innovative aspect of the project is the dialog created between ecology, activism and art, with a strong emphasis on co-creation. The installation “See glass again” is a stunning, climate-resilient work of art designed by, for, and with the residents of Karin Gornji and the Zadar region. The project explored the potential of seagrass beds as a point of connection with climate change, transformed this connection into concrete actions, and contributed to the change of perspective in the local communities. By transforming waste into artwork in a participatory public action, the project provided a transformation of an illegal landfill in the nature protected area into a public art space which will permanently point to the problem of environmental pollution. This participatory process directly educated the local communities and tourists on the physical, social, cultural and ecological importance of seagrass beds in relation to human action. By taking an active role in the process of design and implementation of the project activities, individuals and communities have been empowered to invest their time and energy towards creating a meaningful change with long-term benefits.
In addition to research and transfer of scientific knowledge, which played an important role in the project, we believe that art has the power to open dialogue, inspire reflection and form connections across generational, ethnic or geographic divides. The project presents the first eco-activist public art installation in Croatia, co-created by the artist and the community, and a rare example of a successful ethnic integration in the region.
In addition to research and transfer of scientific knowledge, which played an important role in the project, we believe that art has the power to open dialogue, inspire reflection and form connections across generational, ethnic or geographic divides. The project presents the first eco-activist public art installation in Croatia, co-created by the artist and the community, and a rare example of a successful ethnic integration in the region.
#ItIsNotTooLate Seagrass Beds is a community-based project which uses the synergy of art, ecology and public action to promote the importance of seagrass beds for the preservation of the ecosystem with the local communities and tourists. To achieve the goals of the project, the following methods were applied:
CROWDSOURCING was used to procure a proposal for an art installation which will use waste collected in public eco-actions in the production of an artwork and directly transform a polluted green space into a public art destination. This was done through a public call for artists published internationally, which resulted in 46 proposals.
The winning proposal, which represents the metamorphosis of glass waste into a lookout point, a toponym in the landscape and a place for gathering, was further translated into the local context through a series of CO-CREATION workshops with the local communities, associations, researchers and activists.
As a result, the circular mosaic became an element of STORYTELLING, through the illustration of the European eel characteristic of the Three Seas area, which itself experiences a process of metamorphosis during its life. The locals used to take it in the rainy season when it comes out of the sea and moves on the wet grass and used it in the water reservoirs to eat the pests that would appear in the collected rainwater. The mosaic tells a story of an interesting process, creating a link between the marine and terrestrial ecosystems, and reminds of the local fishing heritage and strong connection with nature and its cycles.
The project also applied CAPACITY-BRIDGING, bringing together diverse forms of knowledge and skills which were exchanged in public workshops and presentations, such as knowledge on the state and role of seagrass beds in the local ecosystem, promotion of sustainable practices of reuse and recycling, and the art of drywall construction.
CROWDSOURCING was used to procure a proposal for an art installation which will use waste collected in public eco-actions in the production of an artwork and directly transform a polluted green space into a public art destination. This was done through a public call for artists published internationally, which resulted in 46 proposals.
The winning proposal, which represents the metamorphosis of glass waste into a lookout point, a toponym in the landscape and a place for gathering, was further translated into the local context through a series of CO-CREATION workshops with the local communities, associations, researchers and activists.
As a result, the circular mosaic became an element of STORYTELLING, through the illustration of the European eel characteristic of the Three Seas area, which itself experiences a process of metamorphosis during its life. The locals used to take it in the rainy season when it comes out of the sea and moves on the wet grass and used it in the water reservoirs to eat the pests that would appear in the collected rainwater. The mosaic tells a story of an interesting process, creating a link between the marine and terrestrial ecosystems, and reminds of the local fishing heritage and strong connection with nature and its cycles.
The project also applied CAPACITY-BRIDGING, bringing together diverse forms of knowledge and skills which were exchanged in public workshops and presentations, such as knowledge on the state and role of seagrass beds in the local ecosystem, promotion of sustainable practices of reuse and recycling, and the art of drywall construction.
The project is a successful example of how art, community engagement, and research can be used to raise awareness of environmental issues and promote sustainable practices. This approach could be applied to similar contexts in other community-based projects. The problem of seagrass beds in the local context of the Tree Seas area can here be seen as a case study, a shared ecological challenge which brought together a diverse group of participants and inspired collective action. Connection of ecology and art has shown a great potential in communicating the urgence and importance of climate action, while participative public actions have demonstrated how collective bottom-up actions can create immediate and concrete change for the environment and the community.
Sustainable practices applied in the project, namely reuse of glass and stone waste, and the application of local building material and methods, can also be replicated. Our emphasis here is on reuse, which can provide greater ecological benefits than recycling. We hope that the attention we brought to the mounting waste of stone off-cuts in the local quarries, of otherwise highly regarded stone, will inspire others to explore the (free!) reuse of this beautiful natural material.
The visual identity of the project was designed with the idea of potential replication. The project name #ItIsNotTooLate Seagrass Beds was replicated throughout the project, repeating the hashtag #ItIsNotTooLate and alternating the subject of specific action, e.g. #ItIsNotTooLate river Bijela, for the cleaning eco-action in the river Bijela canyon. Similarly, the logo of the project allows for derivations, where seagrass can be replaced by another threatened ecological species, combined with the hopeful exclamation It’s not too late! This simple hashtag can be transferred to any project and situation needing immediate action, where visibility in the context of digital marketing can greatly contribute to the success of the project.
Sustainable practices applied in the project, namely reuse of glass and stone waste, and the application of local building material and methods, can also be replicated. Our emphasis here is on reuse, which can provide greater ecological benefits than recycling. We hope that the attention we brought to the mounting waste of stone off-cuts in the local quarries, of otherwise highly regarded stone, will inspire others to explore the (free!) reuse of this beautiful natural material.
The visual identity of the project was designed with the idea of potential replication. The project name #ItIsNotTooLate Seagrass Beds was replicated throughout the project, repeating the hashtag #ItIsNotTooLate and alternating the subject of specific action, e.g. #ItIsNotTooLate river Bijela, for the cleaning eco-action in the river Bijela canyon. Similarly, the logo of the project allows for derivations, where seagrass can be replaced by another threatened ecological species, combined with the hopeful exclamation It’s not too late! This simple hashtag can be transferred to any project and situation needing immediate action, where visibility in the context of digital marketing can greatly contribute to the success of the project.
The project addresses the following global challenges (GCs), identified by the UN as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), by providing local solutions (LSs):
GCs: SDG 14 - Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development; SDG 13 - Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
LCs: Mapping of the state of seagrass beds in the Karin sea, raising awareness of the importance of seagrass for marine ecosystems and climate change mitigation (capturing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere), public eco actions removing pollution from the watershed of the Three Seas area
GCs: SGD 10 - Reduce inequality within and among countries
LSs: Inclusive workshops, actions and events in depopulated areas and communities divided by the war in the 1990s, creating dialog among people of different ethnic and social backgrounds, creating opportunities for exchange, and building connections around a common ecological cause
GCs: SGD 4 - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all; SDG 17 - Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development
LSs: Public co-creation workshops organised in multi-stakeholder partnerships for the exchange of knowledge and skills between regional associations and citizens and national (Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Rijeka, Academy of Fine Arts in Zagreb) and international higher education institutions (TU Dresden, TU Delft)
GCs: SDG 12 - Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
LSs: Promotion of waste reuse as a sustainable practice in the production of the art installation “See glass again”
GCs: SGD 2 - End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
LSs: Family farmer’s and craft markets organised as part of public actions provided visibility to local producers and promoted rural development.
GCs: SDG 14 - Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development; SDG 13 - Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
LCs: Mapping of the state of seagrass beds in the Karin sea, raising awareness of the importance of seagrass for marine ecosystems and climate change mitigation (capturing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere), public eco actions removing pollution from the watershed of the Three Seas area
GCs: SGD 10 - Reduce inequality within and among countries
LSs: Inclusive workshops, actions and events in depopulated areas and communities divided by the war in the 1990s, creating dialog among people of different ethnic and social backgrounds, creating opportunities for exchange, and building connections around a common ecological cause
GCs: SGD 4 - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all; SDG 17 - Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development
LSs: Public co-creation workshops organised in multi-stakeholder partnerships for the exchange of knowledge and skills between regional associations and citizens and national (Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Rijeka, Academy of Fine Arts in Zagreb) and international higher education institutions (TU Dresden, TU Delft)
GCs: SDG 12 - Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
LSs: Promotion of waste reuse as a sustainable practice in the production of the art installation “See glass again”
GCs: SGD 2 - End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
LSs: Family farmer’s and craft markets organised as part of public actions provided visibility to local producers and promoted rural development.
- Transformation of an illegal landfill to a destination with participatory public art installation;
- Mapping of the seagrass beds in protected area of Karin sea: Zostera marina, Zostra noltei, Cymodocea nodosa, and public presentation of results;
- 3 public eco actions with more than 500 participants in total, resulting in removal of 125m3 of waste from nature protection areas;
- 1.5m3 of glass waste and 15m3 of stone waste reused in the production of art installation “See glass again”;
- 12 on-site participatory workshops, art performances and concerts organised in a depopulated village Lončari;
- 56 publications in 7 languages of the public call for artists “On accepting the undesirable” in international specialised art media, resulting in 46 art proposals from 25 countries;
- Hosting a 5-week residency of American environmental artist Dodd Holsapple in the village Lončari during the co-creation of the public installation “See glass again” together with the community;
- Organisation of farmer’s and craft markets as part of public art and eco actions, promoting local products and creating opportunities for social interaction and exchange for isolated local communities;
- Marking of hiking routes leading from the village Lončari to the source of river Bijela, discovery of two new boulders and setting of 10 new climbing paths;
- Established connections with international NGOs and academia (workshop with Francesco Cavalli, mentor of Milano’s NoLo brand; workshop on “Underwater museum” with Paolo Fanciulli, Italian fisherman that saved seabeds in Tuscany by development of an underwater museum; research on glass reuse at TU Delft and TU Dresden);
- Hundreds of mentions in (inter)national online media, radio and television.
The project is a successful example of how to use art, community engagement, and research to raise awareness of environmental issues and promote sustainable practices, with a positive impact on the environment and the community.
- Mapping of the seagrass beds in protected area of Karin sea: Zostera marina, Zostra noltei, Cymodocea nodosa, and public presentation of results;
- 3 public eco actions with more than 500 participants in total, resulting in removal of 125m3 of waste from nature protection areas;
- 1.5m3 of glass waste and 15m3 of stone waste reused in the production of art installation “See glass again”;
- 12 on-site participatory workshops, art performances and concerts organised in a depopulated village Lončari;
- 56 publications in 7 languages of the public call for artists “On accepting the undesirable” in international specialised art media, resulting in 46 art proposals from 25 countries;
- Hosting a 5-week residency of American environmental artist Dodd Holsapple in the village Lončari during the co-creation of the public installation “See glass again” together with the community;
- Organisation of farmer’s and craft markets as part of public art and eco actions, promoting local products and creating opportunities for social interaction and exchange for isolated local communities;
- Marking of hiking routes leading from the village Lončari to the source of river Bijela, discovery of two new boulders and setting of 10 new climbing paths;
- Established connections with international NGOs and academia (workshop with Francesco Cavalli, mentor of Milano’s NoLo brand; workshop on “Underwater museum” with Paolo Fanciulli, Italian fisherman that saved seabeds in Tuscany by development of an underwater museum; research on glass reuse at TU Delft and TU Dresden);
- Hundreds of mentions in (inter)national online media, radio and television.
The project is a successful example of how to use art, community engagement, and research to raise awareness of environmental issues and promote sustainable practices, with a positive impact on the environment and the community.
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