Emc2 Project celebrates International Day for Biological Diversity with the initiative “Discovering the Azorean Crowberry”

On the International Day for Biological Diversity, the Graciosa Basic and Secondary School became a meeting point for science, natural heritage and youth. The Graciosa Museum, in partnership with MARE and the Island of Graciosa’s Environment and Climate Action Service, hosted a session entirely dedicated to the Azorean Crowberry (Camarinha-dos-Açores), one of the archipelago’s most discreet yet emblematic species.

The morning began with a journey into the past: researcher Alexandra Abreu Lima (MARE-ARNET and INIAV, I.P.), coordinator of the project Emc2 – Exploring Coastal Crowberry Scrublands, presented the video “Camarinha, Corema album (L.) D. Don – a plant with small fruits of great potential”, produced in 2015 with professor Jorge Ramalho, a key figure at the Val do Rio Professional School. The film served as an introduction to the history, ecology and potential of this unique plant.

In the second part of the session, Alexandra Abreu Lima presented the most recent results of the Emc2 project, highlighting efforts to promote and conserve the species on the mainland. This was followed by a presentation from engineer Carlos Picanço, from the Island of Graciosa’s Environment and Climate Action Service, who guided participants through the island’s own landscapes: where the crowberry grows, what its characteristics are, and why its protection is urgent.

Their collaboration also enabled a technical visit to the Caldeira de Pêro Botelho, where a small crowberry population persists — a living testament to the species’ resilience.

Although weather conditions prevented the planned field trip with students, the activity will continue. The visit will be rescheduled for the next school year, with the support of the Municipality of Santa Cruz da Graciosa, the Parish Council of Guadalupe, and the Santa Casa da Misericórdia of Vila da Praia.

The initiative aims to have a long-lasting impact: teachers at EBS Graciosa will have access to the methodologies of the activities “Field Trip” and “Botany and Art”, ensuring that the Azorean Crowberry continues to be known, studied and valued by future generations.

Alexandra A. Lima emphasizes that “this day was only possible thanks to the collaboration of

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The Emc2 project

The Emc2 – Exploring Coastal Crowberry Scrublands project is an educational initiative focused on crowberry scrublands found in national coastal areas. Its mission is to fill information gaps about this plant, an Iberian endemic species. Within the project, students from the 1st and 2nd cycles took part in the activities “Field Trip”, “Botany and Art”, and “Conservation”, all centered on the crowberry (Corema album (L.) D. Don).

The initiative aims to leave a lasting mark on the school community, with a digital library of informative documents and methodologies for practical activities, accessible to all.

Text: Patrícia Chaves e Zara Teixeira | Image: Alexandra Abreu Lima