In Ecuador, the limited oceanic culture and its limited presence in education generate ignorance, irresponsible practices, and ecosystem degradation, affecting conservation and the cultural connection with the ocean.

The "Coastal Illustration Program" is an ambitious educational and artistic initiative that seeks to strengthen the connection between Ecuador's coastal communities and their natural environment through ocean literacy and art. This initiative is aimed at children, adolescents, youth, and adults from ancestral or fishing communities in the six provinces of Ecuador's coastal region. Through open-air painting workshops using watercolor techniques, the Coastal Illustration Program promotes marine conservation, nature-based learning, and the appreciation of art as a tool for social transformation. In this context, our main objective is to foster environmental and ocean awareness in the country's coastal communities through participatory artistic experiences that integrate local knowledge, ocean culture, and creative expression. The program includes six practical and experiential workshops, designed based on the territorial and cultural context of each participating community. Each workshop will focus on painting emblematic species and ecosystems of the local environment, such as rivers, mangroves, beaches, and wetlands. The activity will take place in open spaces, encouraging learning from and with nature.