HE ‘Libera’ Project, created by SEO/BirdLife in collaboration with Ecoembes, called for a new edition of the citizen science campaign 1m2 for rivers, lakes and reservoirs. The event runs from March 9 to March 24 and marks a three-week window this year, focusing on the environmental impact of litter in river habitats.
With International Rivers Day observed on March 14, Libera, now in its seventh year, invites new volunteers to join the nationwide effort to remove debris from rivers across the country.
This campaign gathers data to analyze the types and weights of garbage found in aquatic environments. Participating organizations and associations can register through the project portal by March 3 to establish collection points for the 1m2 ecosystem campaigns. The core site provides the necessary forms for participation and logistics: Libera’s environmental campaigns page, which highlights the 1m2 approach for river ecosystems. (citation: Libera Project coordination and materials)
As with other citizen science initiatives, participating groups receive prior education and training and will use the mobile apps eLitter and Basuraleza. These tools were developed by the nonprofits Paisaje Limpio and Vertidos Cero in collaboration with Libera to standardize data collection and reporting.
The collected data will feed into the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenges (MITECO) database and will augment the existing datasets Libera has compiled in the Garbagemon Barometer system. (citation: MITECO data integration and Libera’s historical datasets)
Collecting garbage from the seabed. SEO/BirdLife
In the last edition, held in 2023, more than 5,000 volunteers participated in 350 locations nationwide, removing over 30 tons of waste and cataloging 77,000 individual objects. The most abundant litter types identified in river environments included tissues, bags, and beverage cans. (citation: Libera 2023 campaign results)
Awareness actions
Rivers and wetlands are highly vulnerable ecosystems facing threats from water scarcity and pollution, with litter disposal contributing to these challenges. This is a crucial focus for Libera’s campaign coordinators at SEO/BirdLife. (citation: Libera project statements)
Studies show that rivers are major pathways for debris reaching the oceans. Protecting these ecosystems, which provide essential services like water and temperature regulation, matters for a healthier future. The campaign emphasizes ongoing education about river pollution and practical steps to prevent waste from entering waterways. (citation: Libera educational messaging)
Sara Güemes, coordinator of the LIBERA Project at Ecoembes, explains that continued awareness is vital and that the initiative seeks practical solutions to safeguard the environment. (citation: Sara Güemes interview)
With the support of diverse groups and associations, the campaign aims to deepen understanding of litter origins and spark further action. It highlights educational and outreach activities that promote a cleaner river network and heightened sensitivity toward these vital waterways. (citation: LIBERA collaboration notes)
Garbage collection in El Rocío in Huelva. SEO/BirdLife
This citizen science and waste collection effort seeks to deepen knowledge about abandoned waste affecting the nation’s varied river systems. The litter carried by river channels threatens numerous aquatic ecosystems, and preventing its spread through rivers, wetlands, and reservoirs remains a priority. The campaign also supports scientific study by sharing data with hydrographic confederations and river custodians across more than 260 protected natural areas. (citation: Libera partnerships and scope)
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Participation contact is managed through the environmental department and is limited to official channels. (citation: Libera contact procedures)