The first educational board has been just installed at the Polish lake

10 May 2024

We inform you that as part of the Lakes connect project, under Deliverable 1.3 "A public knowledge base for citizens on the impact of tourism on lakes", the first informational board has been installed at the lake in Poland, in Jakunówko. With more boards to follow soon in other partner countries.

Technical details

Photo: Magdalena Jurgielewicz from the Foundation for the Protection of the Great Masurian Lakes

Raising awareness about sustainable tourism and aquatic ecosystem protection

The purpose of this action is to increase the visibility of the project and strengthen its relevance for selected target groups.

These boards aim to educate tourists and local communities about the importance of sustainable tourism and the protection of aquatic ecosystems. The posters will be strategically placed near lakes in the LC partners countries that are frequently visited by tourists, to draw their attention to the need to reduce their negative impact on the natural environment.

What is microplastic pollution and how to reduce it?

The informational boards address the issue of microplastic pollution in lake waters. They present the results of research conducted within the project, which showed the presence of microplastic particles in all studied lakes that are frequently visited by tourists, with seasonal variations. The largest share consisted of fibers, followed by fragments, films, and foams. The educational boards provide practical guidance on how to reduce microplastic pollution:

Choose zero-waste products;
Avoid single-use plastic items;
Properly process or dispose of waste;
Avoid synthetic clothing where possible;
Choose environmentally friendly products.

This initiative is an important step towards raising awareness about a sustainable approach to tourism, protecting aquatic ecosystems, and promoting responsible behavior among visitors to lakeside recreational areas that are frequently visited by tourists.