This session was entirely dedicated to the Azorean white crowberry -Corema album subsp. Azoricum, which is a coastal endemic plant with protection status in the Azores. The biodiversity of coastal zones with endemic plants such as the white crowberry is threatened due to habitat fragmentation, invasive species and climate change effects.

The Azorean white crowberry (in Portuguese ‘camarinha’) is a green shrub whose female plants have small greenish (or white) fruits, with current distribution in Azores archipelago in 4 islands - Pico, Faial, S. Jorge and Graciosa – with a dubious possibility of occurrence in São Miguel island, being mentioned on the Flora-on portal, and evidence of a possible previous presence reflected in the toponymy - ‘Pico das Camarinhas- Ponta da Ferraria’.

Since we can only protect what we know, awareness raising for younger generations is crucial to ensure the future conservation of this natural resource, given its small distribution area in nature. The initiative was promoted by the project coordinator, researcher Alexandra Abreu Lima (MARE-ARNET and INIAV, I.P.), with screening of the short video ‘Camarinha, Corema album (L.)D. Don - a plant with small fruits of great potential’ (https://reda.edu.azores.gov.pt/resources/detalhes-recurso/2018), produced in 2015 with Jorge Ramalho, then a Professor at the Valdo Rio Professional School (Oeiras). After video screening, Alexandra Abreu Lima presented the results of the Emc2 project in terms of awareness raising and conservation of this species in Portuguese mainland coastal habitats. The project Emc2 methodology of the activities ‘Field Trip’ and ‘Botany and Art’ will be followed by Graciosa Secondary School teachers, to fill students’ knowledge gaps about this species.

The presentation by Eng. Carlos Picanço (Environment and Climate Action Service of Graciosa Island) allowed students and teachers to learn about the main characteristics of the Azorean white crowberry, its location on Graciosa Island and the reason for it being a protected species.

The students' field trip, postponed due to adverse weather conditions on the 21st of May, will take place at the beginning of the next school year. With the collaboration of Eng. Carlos Picanço, a visit by the researcher Alexandra Abreu Lima to the Pêro Botelho Caldeirinha was possible, where it was possible to observe a small population of the Azorean white crowberry.

Although the field trip with the students did not take place, the organisers wish to thank the institutions and entities for the support they provided for the students' transport - Municipality of Santa Cruz da Graciosa, Parish of Guadalupe and Santa Casa da Misericórdia of Vila da Praia. The coordinator of the Emc2 project thanks Jorge Ramalho, Dr. Fábio Mendes (Director of the Graciosa Museum), Eng. Carlos Picanço (Environment and Climate Action Service of Graciosa Island), Professor Cristina Fraga (EBS Graciosa), the other EBS Professors present, and the Municipality of Santa Cruz da Graciosa for their collaboration.