On 8 June each year, conservation organisations throughout the planet celebrate the ocean, its importance in our lives, and how each of us can protect it, no matter where we live. World Oceans Day raises critical awareness of the ocean, connects people worldwide, and inspires continuing action year-round to protect and restore this amazing resource that we all depend on.
In a new collaborative effort, Fraser Coast Intrepid Landcare and Pacific Whale Foundation Eco Adventures Australia will partner to celebrate World Oceans Day at Urangan Pier this Saturday, June 8. Activities will include a a beach clean up, environmental talks and a free sausage sizzle.
Founded in 2015, Intrepid Landcare’s mission is “to empower young people to lead on stuff that matters”, providing a common space to inspire, connect and empower young people to act and lead. Founded in 2011, Pacific Whale Foundation Eco Adventures Australia’s mission is to protect the ocean through science and advocacy and inspire environmental stewardship – providing research, education and conservation programs that also inspire, connect and empower.
Andrew Ellis of Pacific Whale Foundation Eco Adventures Australia shares how the two organisations began to develop a collaboration: “Upon seeing a newspaper article about what the young people of FCIL were planning in Hervey Bay, I reached out to them as a likeminded organisation who had a number of similar aims for our local environment. Following the success of our PWF led beach clean up last year, I felt that the two organisations would be able to be more effective, reaching a wider local audience, if we worked together in promoting beach clean ups in 2019. PWF has always had a local impact through conservation and education programmes but is always willing to join with other organisations in promoting our values. The collaboration opens new avenues for members and supporters from both organisations to work in harmony upholding the values that each organisation holds.”
According to FCIL president and second-year USC Animal Ecology student Jessica Sellke, this will be the third beach clean organised by Fraser Coast Intrepid Landcare with a projected reach of 100 people, including two Scouts groups.
“It’s incredibly exciting seeing more and more people attend out beach cleans,” remarks Jessica, “Knowing that we have such a large group of people wanting to help clean and protect our environment inspires the whole team.”
Intrepid Landcare goes on to say, “Pacific Whale Foundation reached out to us after our second beach clean, because they were interested in partnering together to host some community involved conservation events. Ever since we’ve been working together, Pacific Whale Foundation have been extremely helpful every step of the way, co-organising events, as they are just as passionate about positive change as we are. They have brought so much to the plate, including expanding our horizons, and increasing community interests.
All are welcome to join this free event for the betterment of our ocean environment, though participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Please bring gloves, enclosed shoes, water, and sun protection. Old clothes and a rain jacket/poncho is also recommended. Don’t forget your reusable water bottle!
To learn more, please visit https://pacificwhale.com.au/
About Pacific Whale Foundation
With a mission to protect the ocean through science and advocacy and to inspire environmental stewardship, Pacific Whale Foundation (PWF) conducts Research, Education and Conservation programs for the communities in which it serves. Founded by Greg Kaufman in 1980 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to saving the world’s whales from extinction, PWF now operates a social enterprise that offers fee-based programs and services through PacWhale Eco-Adventures and Pacific Whale Foundation Eco Adventures Australia to help fund its nonprofit work. Combined with memberships, donations, charitable grants and a remarkable group of dedicated volunteers, PWF now reaches more than 400,000 individuals each year through its Maui and Australia offices and research projects in Ecuador and Chile.
