Scientific Research, and in particular Marine Biology, is commonly understood to be an elite activity performed only by scientists with voluminous CVs and thus a universal right to "play" with the interpretation of ecosystem evolution and the problems that afflict it. In reality, though, our marine coastal heritage belongs to everybody.  Even "mere mortals" may understand and conserve this environment when appropriately trained to do so!

FOR-MARE has set itself the ambitious task of passing on a love for, and involving increasing numbers of people in, scientific research by collecting data on the sea and its coastal environment.  All of this is done in Italy’s Protected Marine Reserves: oases of unparalleled scientific interest, enormous biodiversity and sheer beauty.  FOR-MARE gives students the chance to live like “true scientists” for a week observing and interpreting the natural environment that surrounds us all.

Translated by Michela Poletti and Emma C. Durston