In the UK, you’re never more than 70 miles from the sea. It’s understandable that so many people in the UK have a special connection to our coasts and surrounding waters. National Marine Week is an ideal time to celebrate and protect our marine environment. The celebration is put on by The Wildlife Trusts and takes place 27 July to 11 August; it’s specifically timed to take advantage of the tides.
The theme this year is ‘Sea’ the Connection, and The Wildlife Trusts will be highlighting how closely connected our island nation is to the sea. The charity plans to share inspiring stories from people who value the seas and how the marine environment enriches people’s lives.
It’s an important week. Today, we see too many plastic-strewn beaches, fisheries on the verge of collapse, and the ever growing effects of global climate change. The Wildlife Trusts is working to protect wildlife at sea, support marine conservation zones, ensure that all fishing activity is sustainable, and more.
In this post, we highlight several ways you can support our critical marine environment during National Marine Week, no matter how close to the sea you may be.
Join an Event by Land or by Sea
We’re excited about the range of activities during National Marine Week! Looking for beautiful views while doing something good for nature? Take your family and friends to the Pegwell Bay Family Beach Clean-Up to help make the area a safe place for wildlife again. Or get informed and attend an educational discussion on safeguarding our seas. You’ll hear from experts about the pressures and threats facing the local marine environment and what we’re doing about it.
Or you can stay dry and get crafty at a National Marine Week Needle-Felting Workshop. You’ll learn how to create your own needle-felted seal to take home. There truly is something for everyone. You can see a full list of events here.
Wear your Support of the Seas
Another way to show your support during National Marine Week is to purchase exclusive merchandise from The Wildlife Trusts’ charity shop. We love this otter tote bag, made from 100% organic cotton and printed in the UK in a renewable energy powered factory. Or what about this Save our Ocean mug, which depicts some of the more than 30,000 species that inhabit the seas. It’s printed with water-based inks on a 100% ceramic mug.
The shop also offers aprons, art prints, notebooks, and a large selection of sustainable clothing, including certified organic t-shirts, jumpers, and hoodies. By purchasing items, you’ll help support The Wildlife Trusts’ continued work to protect our local wildlife and their natural habitats. And, everything you order comes in plastic-free packaging and is made from natural materials.
Do Your Part Daily
Lastly, there are actions you can take to help our marine environment, every day. We share a few highlights below and just visit The Wildlife Trusts for more creative and easy ideas, from conserving water to building bird boxes.
- Book your own beach clean: If you’re keen to clean our beaches but can’t make it to a scheduled event, consider planning your own beach clean with friends, family, or coworkers. Every year, around 8 million tonnes of litter enters our oceans. Plastic trash is especially harmful for marine wildlife because it breaks into smaller pieces that impact everything from plankton to whales. The Wildlife Trusts offers tips for planning a safe and productive beach clean near you.
- Change up your energy use: Buildings account to 20% of the emissions in the UK. Do your part and reduce your household energy. Try improving your home’s energy efficiency with draught-proofing strips. Or make simple behaviour changes like turning off lights and appliances when not in use or washing clothes at a lower temperature. Your changes might even mean lower energy bills for your household!
- Try a new tea: Did you know that many tea bags have plastic woven into the fibres or are sealed with plastic-based glues? Consider switching to loose tea to eliminate the need for plastics in your favourite brew.
We hope this post illuminates the importance of protecting our marine environment. How else will you do your part during National Marine Week? Please get in touch and let us know. We hope to see you at a beach clean or sea day celebration or simply strolling the coastline!