Category Archives: Events

Earth Day 2022 – How to Get Involved

earth day 2022

 

Earth Day is a global action to protect the planet. It’s happening on 22 April this year. The theme for Earth Day 2022 is ‘Invest in Our Planet’. That’s not about spending money! It’s about putting effort into accelerating the great work that is already being done to combat climate change and clean up our home. It’s all about everyone taking ownership and doing their bit. Sometimes the task seems overwhelming, but we can all take action in our own lives that joined together will make a big difference to the planet. So don’t despair, it’s exciting to think what we can achieve together and how much fun we can have along the way. Here are some easy ideas to get involved, because no one is too small to make a difference!

 

Join a Queensland Beach Clean – or Organise One For Your School

beach clean

Recent events here on the Sunshine Coast have shown what a force our communities are when they set to work together on a beach clean. Huge storms have landed load of debris and plastics on our beautiful beaches. But we haven’t sat back and watched it happen. Instead, our local communities have taken to the beaches with bags and helped cleaned up.

Unfortunately, there is still much more to do but people are uniting to make it happen. One person with one bag could easily make a big difference to one turtle! 

Beach cleans are probably the largest environmental volunteer event in history. So, grab a bag (a biodegradable doggie poop bag will do!), grab your mates, and get on down to the beach and be part of history! You could even have a competition to win some lollies if you collect the most trash.

Take Action: 

Get Involved in a Beach Clean on the Sunshine Coast

Get involved in a Beach Clean Near Brisbane

 

Fundraise to Support a Queensland Coast Care Charity

There are plenty of Queensland coast care charities to choose. On the Sunshine Coast there’s Coolum Coast Care, or there’s Great Barrier Reef Foundation and Sea Shepherd.

Ocean Crusaders operate around Brisbane too.

Take Action

How about a sponsored swim or a shark drawing competition to raise money for your favorite Queensland coast care charity? Just ask and they are sure to want to help you get started.

Plant Trees

Trees and forests are one of our most powerful tools to combat climate change and provide food and habitat for the species of the world. But our planet is currently losing trees at a staggering rate. In fact, about 27 soccer fields of forest are lost every minute. 

Trees are amazing and filter the air and protect us from climate change. They also keep our land healthy and provide food, energy and income to communities. What’s not to like about trees? So, why not plant trees yourself? (in a designated area obviously!!)

Take Action

Plant your own tree or Donate to plant a tree

The Usual Stuff

Of course, you can always be doing all the usual stuff to make the world a cleaner place, like reducing your use of plastics, reducing your carbon footprint and energy consumption, making sustainable seafood choices and enjoying the ocean responsibly.

 Further reading –  ‘How Can I Protect the Ocean‘ 

Educators & Schools

 We have some great FREE ocean resources and activities on our website in our Human Impact section, including: Plastic Diaries, Plastic Ocean Life Cycles, Human Impact Presentations and more.

Or why not book an incursion so we can come in with our team and inspire the kids with a live marine animal program?

Celebrate Ocean Events in 2022

ocean events

 

Ocean Life Education is all about educating children about the ocean and inspiring them to want to protect it. Thousands of ocean events happen across the globe each year, where communities work together to focus on issues affecting the ocean – with children often leading the way! We have created a downloadable Ocean Events Calendar to guide you through the year, so you can celebrate ocean events in 2022 and be part of the solution. There’s a lot to celebrate and a lot to change, but little ripples make big waves!

Our Top Pick of Ocean Events in 2022

ocean decadeUN ‘Ocean Decade’ – Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) 

The vision for the ‘Ocean Decade’ is all about the “science we need for the ocean we want”. Supporting efforts to reverse decline in ocean health and joining together ocean stakeholders to support countries in improving conditions for sustainable development of the Ocean. The Ocean Decade is a very important decade indeed!

 

 

World Whale Day 2022: 20 February

World Whale Day began in 1980 in Maui, Hawaii. It’s all about reminding us of the challenges whales face around the globe. Observed annually on the third Sunday in February, World Whale Day 2022 celebrates everything about whales.

Humpback Whale Teaching Resources – $20
Humpback Whale Online Course – $20

 

seaweek 2022SeaWeek Australia 2022: 5-13 March

This year’s theme is: Our SEArch – what will you discover? It’s based around the fact that the Ocean is largely unexplored. This is a public awareness campaign which aims to educate and encourage an appreciation of the sea. SeaWeek Australia is an annual opportunity to increase focus on the relationship we have with the ocean and how our lives are affected by the health of our oceans.

Blog: Dive into SeaWeek2022
Blog: How Schools Can Celebrate Seaweek Australia 

 

World Oceans Day 2022: 8 June

2022 Conservation Action Focus: collaborating to protect at least 30% of our blue planet for a healthy ocean and climate. World Oceans Day 2022 is on a mission to get us working together to take action to protect the ocean.

 

 

World Sea Turtle Day 2022: 16 June

World Sea Turtle Day is celebrated each year on 16 June 2022, as it is the birthday of Dr. Archie Carr, the aclaimed “father of sea turtle biology.”  His research highlighted the plight of sea turtles and has driven community support to protect them.

 

 

Many people fear sharks because of shock stories in the media and scary films like Jaws. The fact is that sharks are a crucial part of the food chain that help keep the oceans and planet healthy. Without sharks in Australian waters, many ecosystems would not be sustainable, and would die off forever. Shark Awareness Day 2022 aims to separate fact from myth and promote a positive image for these amazing creatures.

FREE Shark Teaching Resources
Amazing Sharks Online Course – $20

 

Remember to lock in the dates and get planning so you can make the most of these celebrations at your school. Little ripples make BIG waves!

Marine Education Programs Beach Clean

Why not book in an Ocean Life Education live marine education program to compliment your ocean events and bring it all to life. Our programs are delivered by qualified Marine Educators who are very passionate about the ocean and provide a lively, interactive experience with our live marine animals. Our programs are designed to educate and inspire schools and community to protect our precious marine environment.

Early Learning Programs & Resources

Primary Programs & Resources

Celebrating Coastcare Week

Rockpools

Coastcarers are marine legends. They dedicate their time and energy to protecting our beautiful coastline. Many of us will visit Queensland’s beaches over the Summer holidays. You can do your bit to celebrate Coastcare Week this summer holiday by combining your trip with a mini beach clean or simply by making little changes to your day that will make a big difference. Remember, tiny ripples make big waves!! Here is some useful information to guide you into Celebrating Coastcare Week.

What is Coastcare Week?

Coastcare are volunteer groups made up of Aussies who want to play a part in protecting our incredible coastal and marine enviroments. They are just like you and me, one person, joined together to make a significant force of 500 groups accross Australia. 500 groups that make a big difference through long-term, practical solutions for environmental issues in their local area. Coastcare week is an annual campaign celebrating these community groups around Australia.

When is Coastcare Week 

Coastcare Week runs throughout the first week of December each year.

Coastcare ProjectsBeach Clean

Coastcarers get active, tackling coastcare problems such as: dune protection, revegetation of native coastal environments, protection of endangered coastal species habitats, prevention of storm water pollution, weed and non-native plant removal, control of human access to sensitive and vulnerable areas and education programs.

Get Involved – Join Coastcare

To join a group, check out the Coastcare website

You don’t have to join a group to make a difference. Here are our top tips on how to protect Queensland’s beaches this holiday as part of your day out.

TOP TIPS…

Enjoy exploring the rockpools!

Learning all about the marine environment will inspire you to want to protect it and all that lives there.

Take a bag with you

Collect rubbish and plastic marine debris as you walk. Every piece of plastic removed from the marine environment can save an animal’s life and reduce microplastics in the ocean.

Have a competition to see who’s collected the most rubbish

It’s disappointing that the beaches are littered but there’s no harm in making cleaning them fun!

Keep to walking tracks

This protects the vegetation that provides habitat for birds and animals. It also prevents erosion.

Keep your dog on a lead

Especially on dunes with vulnerable vegetation.

Look out for birds and animals

Try not to disturb them and make sure your dog leaves them in peace too!

Avoid and reduce plastics

Plastic has a habit of blowing around. If you don’t use it or take it to the beach, it can’t go astray and harm marine animals.

Have fun and feel good!

Enjoying the beach will make you feel good…and caring for it along the way will make you feel even better.

Here’s a great guide to our local rockpools…

Sunshine Coast Rockpool Identification Guide

More useful info…

How to Get Involved in a Beachclean

Xmas Beach Activities

 

Celebrate World Ocean 2023 Day at School

What is World Ocean Day?

World Ocean Day is an annual event to highlight issues affecting our oceans. It is on a mission to deepen understanding of our relationship with the ocean and inspire action to protect it. Why not celebrate World Ocean Day at school by organising an event or activity. See below for some great ideas to get your centre or school involved at celebrate World Ocean Day with us.

What is the Theme of World Ocean Day 2023?

The World Ocean Day 2023 Conservation Action Focus is Protect at least 30% of our blue planet by 2030

When is World Ocean Day 2023?

World Ocean Day 2023 will be held worldwide on 8 June 2023. World Ocean Day is celebrated annually on 8 June.

 Why Celebrate World Ocean Day at School?

Our ocean connects us all and we are all responsible for them, so it makes sense for us all to unite our efforts and join together with friends, community and family to celebrate the world’s oceans and help highlight issues affecting them, so that we can protect them for the future. Celebrate World Ocean Day at school by planning inspirational ocean themed activities.

How Can Schools Celebrate World Ocean Day Australia 2023?

As World Ocean Day Australia is powered by The Youth Advisory Council, it is the perfect opportunity for schools to focus student’s attention on the ocean while being led by inspirational youth role models.

There are many ways that schools can celebrate World Ocean Day Australia 2023. Here are some great activities and ideas to get you started.

**Keep a plastic diaryfor a day – pledge to refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle.

**Plastic Ocean Life Cycle Activity

**Teach curriculum themes through ocean activities: habitats, life cycles, adaptation, classification, human impact using our Free Primary Resources:

**Students do an online shark’s courseand receive a personalised certificate ($20 per student – free trial and group discounts available)online shark course

**Organize a beach clean or a visit to a local beach – and maybe pick up some litter.

**Fundraise to support a local coast care charity e.g., Coolum Coast Care, Ocean Crusaders, Sea Shepherd

Blog: 20 Ideas for Celebrating the Ocean in 2023

How Early Learning Centres Can Celebrate World Ocean Day Australia 2023

There are heaps of creative ways that early learning centres can celebrate World Ocean’s Day Australia. Here are our top picks:

  1. Decorate your classroom or childcare setting – Check out our FREE early learning resources
  2. Book an ocean-focused incursion or excursion
  3. Host an ocean themed colouring or drawing competition

Involve your centre or school by checking out the World Ocean Day Website         

Check out our Blogs for further information on how you can celebrate World Oceans Day…

Guide to Teaching Ocean Literacy

How Can I Protect the Ocean

10 Reasons Why We Depend on Our Oceans

World Oceans Day Website