A day of learning and action with Hyundai Italy at Lago di Pusiano, Italy

On 3 November, over 100 students from the Istituto Comprensivo G.D. Romagnosi in Carate Brianza joined us at Lago di Pusiano for an immersive day of environmental education, hands-on activity and inspiration. In partnership with Hyundai Italy and with support from the TourInCanoa Club ASD, we brought our mission into the field, working with young people to deepen awareness of water ecosystems, biodiversity and circular economy.

Why we chose this setting

Lago di Pusiano lies within the Parco Regionale della Valle del Lambro and is designated as a Site of Community Interest (SIC) — making it an ideal natural classroom. By enabling students to experience the lake and its surrounding natural environment firsthand, we aimed to spark not only knowledge, but a personal sense of connection and responsibility toward their local waters and nature.

Learning by doing

The program included:

• “Litter Bingo”: a fun, interactive game to help the young participants identify, classify and reflect on different types of waste and the impact of pollution.
• Interactive discussions on biodiversity and circular economy, giving students a framework to understand how natural systems and human systems intersect.
• A canoe ride on the lake (thanks to TourInCanoa), offering a moment of reflection on the beauty and fragility of aquatic habitats.
• A demonstration on the risks posed by “ghost nets” (abandoned fishing nets) and how recovery of such materials can become a meaningful contribution to ecosystem restoration.

Education at the heart of the mission

At Healthy Seas we believe that meaningful change begins when people — especially young people — understand the challenges and feel empowered to act. This day was designed to move beyond a traditional presentation: it was about experiencing, questioning, and choosing to care.

As our Education Manager, Konstantina Kostoula, reflected: “When education happens in nature, it changes everything. Students don’t just learn facts — they build a relationship with the world they’re part of, and that connection inspires action.”

This underscores that education here is not a side-note, it is central. Because why focus on ‘education’?

• Knowledge builds awareness: Understanding water systems, pollution pathways, biodiversity links.
• Connection builds care: When you paddle on a lake, pick litter off a shore, you feel part of that system.
• Agency builds action: Students leave not just more informed, but more motivated to act — in school, in community, in everyday life.

Celebrating collaboration

Our thanks go to Hyundai Italy, whose ongoing partnership has enabled us to bring together environmental education and clean-up operations across Europe and beyond. Their support helps turn ideas into experiences, doing so in a way that centers young people as participants and protagonists of change.

Looking ahead

Today’s learners are tomorrow’s decision-makers, citizens, innovators. Events like this one at Lago di Pusiano remind us that each gesture — picking a piece of litter, asking a new question, choosing recycled material — becomes part of a larger ecosystem of action.

We’ll continue to bring our educational programmes into schools and into nature, forging meaningful partnerships, and empowering new generations to safeguard our seas, lakes and rivers.

Thank you to all the students, teachers, partners and volunteers who made the day possible — the journey continues, together.