Created by SEO BirdLife in collaboration with Ecoembes, Project Libera is launching a refreshed version of the citizen science effort known as the 1m2 for rivers, lakes and reservoirs. The initiative runs from March 11 to 19 and aims to deepen understanding of how litter affects freshwater environments across the country.
Coinciding with the International Day of Rivers on March 14, LIBERA invites new volunteers to join in safeguarding the nation’s rivers from trash for a sixth consecutive year. The campaign collects data on both the kind and the weight of garbage found along rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. Organizations, associations, and groups can still sign up to participate by creating local garbage collection points on the campaign website until March 5. Proyectolibera.org.
As with all civic science efforts, participating teams receive training in advance and access to mobile apps eLitter and rubbish, developed by Paisaje Limpio and Vertidos Cero in collaboration with Libera. The gathered data feeds into the national Ministry of Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge database and is incorporated into Libera’s predefined垃圾 tracking within the Garbaje Barometer system (Garbaje Barometer) (Libera Project, SEO/BirdLife).
Queen Sofia, center, a regular participant, contributed to the 2022 edition as a visible ambassador for the initiative. The campaign in the final edition of 2022 saw more than 100 volunteers gather at over 370 sites to collect and categorize waste. In total, about 6 tons of garbage were analyzed, leading to 54,000 individual items cataloged across the country. These figures illustrate the scale and impact of community-driven cleanups in protecting water courses and their ecosystems (Libera Project, SEO/BirdLife).
The most common items found along waterways
Among the most abundant litter in riverine settings are cigarette butts, followed by beverage cans, candy wrappers, packaging, and sticks. A key insight is the overwhelming importance of addressing land-based waste, since studies indicate that a large portion of ocean plastic comes from rivers and other terrestrial sources. Effective solutions require a clearer understanding of the waste types that accumulate in riverbeds, according to Miguel Muñoz, coordinator of LIBERA (Libera Project, SEO/BirdLife).
Data from HyT, the Man and Territory Association, a Libera collaborator, analyzed 120 samples from more than 30 rivers in Spain during 2022. The assessment focused on the state of river ecosystems by sampling channel environments, with a striking 96.2% of major fibers detected in 83% of the samples examined. This underscores the pervasive nature of microplastics and fiber contamination across waterways (HyT, Libera Project).
In another historical note, the 2019 effort featured a major push against riverine litter, with tire removals and debris cleanups that showcased the power of citizen engagement to address pollution in real-time. The campaign continues to expand awareness and participation, pushing for practical actions to reduce pollution in rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. Sara Güemes, the Libera Project Coordinator at Ecoembes Libera, emphasizes that the campaign serves to establish points for cleanup and to collect actionable data on litter concentrations and composition (Libera Project, Ecoembes).
Additional context from environmental monitoring networks highlights that a significant portion of inland waters in Spain faces regulatory non-compliance due to contamination, ecological degradation, or overuse. This stark reality motivates ongoing public education and data collection through Libera’s initiatives, which are designed to empower communities to monitor and reduce pollution in aquatic systems (Libera Project, Ecoembes).
Contacts for the environmental department have been streamlined to support public engagement and coordination with local groups and volunteers. The emphasis remains on translating citizen-collected data into practical insights for policymakers, conservationists, and residents who rely on clean rivers and reservoirs for health, recreation, and biodiversity. The Libera program continues to position itself as a bridge between grassroots action and formal environmental monitoring, delivering measurable progress in protecting water quality and ecosystems (Libera Project, Ecoembes).
Overall, the Libera campaign demonstrates how citizen science can scale up environmental monitoring, turning everyday observations into a national dataset that informs action. The ongoing effort seeks to foster a culture of stewardship where communities actively participate in the guardianship of rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, ensuring these waters remain healthy for people and wildlife alike (Libera Project, Ecoembes).