Rockonda is a team of outdoor wild water professionals. Their main activities include rafting, kayaking, canyoning, and river trekking. The association has launched a pilot project—the first of its kind in Italy—in collaboration with other sports associations and the River Consorzio di Bonifica. The goal is to commit to preserving the delicate ecosystem of the Lima River by identifying and removing sources of pollution, ensuring full environmental safety.

The Lima River is special because its nature is wild and uncontaminated. RockOnda is dedicated to keeping it that way and believes it can make a difference by working daily to protect the environment.

RockOnda promotes actions to increase awareness of the impact that human activities have on river ecosystems. For this reason, education for sustainable development (ESD) is integrated into outdoor activities, with the aim of providing an immersive experience that leads participants to understand the importance of environmental protection through the practice of water sports.

Rockonda actions contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals: number 6 Clean water and sanitation; 12 Responsible consumption and production; 13 Climate change; 14 Life below water; 15 Life on Heart.

Importance of water sport:

For Rockonda staff, water sports are a powerful educational tool to raise awareness among people, especially young people, about the importance of sustainability.

Added values:

• Rafting, canyoning and river trekking activities are the opportunity and the tool to raise awareness among participants on the importance of water conservation and river ecosystems.
• Environmental education sessions are organized before and after the activities, explaining the dynamics of the river, the local ecosystem and good practices to reduce environmental impact.
• River clean-up days are organized involving schools, associations and local communities.
• RockOnda also adopts a plastic-free approach, promoting the use of sustainable materials and encouraging responsible behavior in participants.
• By promoting sustainability in water sports activities, the project can encourage responsible and virtuous behaviors.

Target group:

School students; young water sports and adventure enthusiasts; family tourism, responsible tourism, company staff for team building activities.

Good practices:

• Environmental education and ESD activities before, during and after the proposed sports activity, is a good practice to imitate, especially with young people. 
• The ability to involve Regional institutions such as the Consorzio di Bonifica to promote concrete environmental initiatives.
• Responsible tourism is another good practice that we appreciate.

Synergies:

Create synergies and network different skills to promote educational models, awareness-raising actions for citizens and strategies to actively involve institutions, schools and local companies. Collaborate to promote responsible tourism and water sports, such as kayaking, rafting or sailing as an effective tool for ESD.

Website: http://www.rockonda.it