Marine Life & Conservation
Education is strong focus of the latest Sea-Changers grant awards
A range of innovative and diverse educational projects have been awarded grants in the latest round of Sea-Changers grants. The projects are designed to raise awareness of major conservation issues, provide education around solutions and inspire public engagement and involvement. Sea-Changers awarded a total of £6,200 spread over 8 projects which also included research and species protection initiatives.
The 2020 grant money comes from scuba divers, sailors and cruise-goers and from Sea-Changers’ marine business partners including Mike’s Dive Store, Port and Lemon and 10 International, who have raised funds through sales of their environmentally-conscious ‘Sea Change’ wine range.
Since its inception in 2011, Sea-Changers has awarded over 180 marine conservation grants to projects across the UK, channelling over £120,000 in funding towards the protection of the country’s coasts and seas.
In the autumn 2020 grants round, four of the projects funded have a strong education focus. Funding will contribute towards the Marine Conservation Society’s ‘Cool Seas’ Education programme in Scotland. The Scottish Seabird Centre will also receive a grant towards their digital ‘Meet the Scientist’ events, which provide the opportunity for audiences to hear first-hand from, and interact with, experts in the field of cutting-edge marine science research and conservation. Earlier in 2020 Sea-Changers supported the Seahorse Trust in their development of an online Seahorse Biology, Ecology and Conservation Course and we were able to provide further funding in this grant round to fully fund 10 “Sea-Changer Learner awards” to increase the accessibility and inclusivity of this learning opportunity. The final education-based project is SeaStraw. This Manchester based project aims to provide a range of educational approaches to the city dwellers of Manchester about their connection to the ocean.
Other projects funded include:
- A grant to Blue Seas Protection marine conservation group which will allow them to purchase a beach hut to use as a marine conservation centre to raise public awareness about marine conservation issues within the marine conservation zone of the Isle of Wight Biosphere.
- Funding to Manx Wildlife Trust for a project designed to trial the establishment of a new seagrass bed in an historic site in the Isle of Man.
- An award for the Stable Isotope Biogeochemistry Laboratory (SIBL) which will fund a field-based nitrogen isotope (d 15N) study of coastal macroalgae (seaweed) along the north east coast of England from the River Tyne to the River Tees: the Durham Heritage Coast.
To find out more about Sea-Changers visit their website by clicking here.
The Shark Trust is excited to announce that, for two more days only, all donations, large or small, will be doubled in the Big Give Green Match Fund!
Donate to Basking in Nature: Sighting Giants
The Shark Trust is hoping to raise £10k which will be doubled to £20k. This will go towards Basking in Nature: Sighting Giants. And they need YOUR help to reach they’re goal.
The Shark Trust’s citizen science project is to monitor and assess basking sharks through sightings; encouraging data collection, community engagement, and promoting nature accessibility. This initiative aims to enhance health and wellbeing by fostering a deeper connection with British Sharks.
Campaign Aims
- Increase citizen science reporting of Basking Sharks and other shark sightings to help inform shark and ray conservation.
- Provide educational talks about the diverse range of sharks and rays in British waters and accessible identification guides!
- Create engaging and fun information panels on how to ID the amazing sharks and rays we have on our doorstep! These can be used on coastal paths around the Southwest. With activities and information on how you can make a difference for sharks and rays!
- Promote mental wellbeing through increasing time in nature and discovering the wonders beneath the waves!
Donate, and double your impact. Click Here
Marine Life & Conservation
Leading UK-based shark conservation charity, the Shark Trust, is delighted to announce tour operator Diverse Travel as a Corporate Patron
Corporate Patrons provide a valuable boost to the work of The Shark Trust. The Trust team works globally to safeguard the future of sharks, and their close cousins, the skates and rays, engaging with a global network of scientists, policymakers, conservation professionals, businesses and supporters to further shark conservation.
Specialist tour operator Diverse Travel has operated since 2014 and is committed to offering its guests high quality, sustainable scuba diving holidays worldwide. Working together with the Shark Trust will enable both organisations to widen engagement and encourage divers and snorkellers to actively get involved in shark conservation.
“Sharks are truly at the heart of every diver and at Diverse Travel, we absolutely share that passion. There is nothing like seeing a shark in the wild – it’s a moment that stays with you forever!” says Holly Bredin, Sales & Marketing Manager, Diverse Travel.
“We’re delighted to celebrate our 10th year of business by becoming a Corporate Patron of the Shark Trust. This is an exciting partnership for Diverse and our guests. We will be donating on behalf of every person who books a holiday with us to contribute towards their vital shark conservation initiatives around the world. We will also be working together with the Trust to inspire divers, snorkellers and other travellers to take an active role – at home and abroad – in citizen science projects and other activities.”
Paul Cox, CEO of The Shark Trust, said:
“It’s an exciting partnership and we’re thrilled to be working with Diverse Travel to enable more divers and travellers to get involved with sharks and shark conservation. Sharks face considerable conservation challenges but, through collaboration and collective action, we can secure a brighter future for sharks and their ocean home. This new partnership takes us one more valuable step towards that goal.”
For more information about the Shark Trust visit their website here.
For more about Diverse Travel click here.
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