Young students in Portugal discover Natura 2000

Seven classes of 8^th and 9^th grade students of the Vertical Grouping School, Castelo de Paiva implemented the "Rios" ("Rivers") project. This consists of the adoption of a stretch of a river and observing it in the field. The River Paiva, classified as a Site of Community Importance in Natura 2000, was the chosen one.

The students and their teachers made two field trips, and hiked along a 14 km trail. They undertook some actions for improvement / rehabilitation of the river (such as cleaning the banks, reforestation, picnicking on the banks of the river and informing the bathers).

This project allowed those involved to recognize and appreciate several species of the highly diversified natural heritage of this Natura 2000 site in the north of Portugal. It also allowed them to recognize the heritage and socio-cultural history of the municipality of Castelo de Paiva.

The "Rios" project in river Paiva was attended by 33 students, two teachers and three parents and was an excellent way of learning and awareness of the importance of river conservation and the biodiversity of Natura 2000.