Tag Archives: ocean events

School’s Guide to Ocean Events 2025

In a world increasingly focused on environmental preservation, educators like us play a pivotal role in inspiring young minds to care for our planet’s most precious resource—the ocean. By weaving engaging, ocean-themed events into the school year, we foster a love for marine environments and teach students why protecting the ocean is vital for life on Earth. Here’s your School’s Guide to Key Ocean Events in 2025 that will help bring marine conservation to life in the classroom.

Download your free Ocean Events 2025 Calendar by clicking the link at the foot.

UN Decade of Ocean Science (2021-2030)

The United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030) is a global initiative designed to advance international collaboration in ocean science to address critical environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development goals. This initiative aims to enhance our understanding of the ocean, foster innovation, and build partnerships that contribute to creating sustainable solutions for marine and coastal ecosystems.

Goals of the Decade

The overarching vision of the Decade is to deliver the “science we need for the future we want,” ensuring that oceans remain healthy and resilient for current and future generations. Key objectives include:

A Clean Ocean: Identifying and significantly reducing sources of pollution.
A Healthy and Resilient Ocean: Understanding, protecting, and restoring marine ecosystems through sustainable management practices.

By prioritizing scientific research, technological innovation, and global cooperation, this initiative aspires to ensure that oceans can continue to support biodiversity, climate stability, and human livelihoods.

The Decade represents a call to action for researchers, policymakers, educators, and citizens worldwide to work together toward sustainable ocean stewardship.

Ocean Literacy for Schools

World Whale Day – 16 February 2025

World Whale Day, held annually on the third Sunday of February, celebrates the beauty and importance of whales while raising awareness about the challenges they face. Whales are vital to ocean health, contributing to carbon capture and nutrient recycling.

Activities for Schools:

*Host a whale-themed art or poetry contest.

*Discuss the role of whales in maintaining ocean ecosystems.

*Share resources and whale conservation efforts with students.

Link to Ocean Life Education’s whale resources

Clean Up Australia Day – 2 March 2025

Clean Up Australia Day empowers communities to remove litter from local environments, including beaches and waterways, to protect marine ecosystems.

Activities for Schools:

*Organize a school-wide clean-up day for nearby coastal or river areas.

*Teach students about the journey of marine debris and its impact on wildlife like turtles and seabirds.

*Create posters or social media campaigns to promote reducing waste.

Link to Ocean Life Education’s Human Impact Resources

SeaWeek – 1–9 March 2025

SeaWeek is Australia’s national marine awareness campaign. The 2025 theme centers on Ocean Literacy Principle 4: The ocean makes earth habitable.

This highlights the ocean’s role in regulating the planet’s climate and sustaining life.

Activities for Schools:

*Experiment with how ocean currents affect global weather patterns.

*Discuss how Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef contributes to biodiversity – click here to find out more.

*Partner with local marine organizations such as Coolum Coast Care or Sea Shepherd for workshops or talks.

*2o teaching activities for SeaWeek

*SeaWeek Australia website

World Ocean Day – 8 June 2025

The 2025 theme for World Ocean Day is “Reviving Our Ocean: Communities in Action.” This global event emphasizes collective action for sustainable ocean use.

Activities for Schools:

*Create an “ocean action plan” for your school community.

*Incorporate ocean conservation into STEM projects, such as designing reef-safe sunscreen or biodegradable packaging.

*Celebrate with an ocean-themed assembly or showcase.

*World Ocean Day website

World Sea Turtle Day – 16 June 2025

Honoring Dr. Archie Carr, the “father of sea turtle biology,” this day highlights sea turtles’ importance to marine ecosystems.

Activities for Schools:

*Hold a sea turtle trivia quiz.

*Explore the life cycle of turtles and the threats they face from climate change and pollution.

*Encourage students to design turtle-friendly beach signage.

Plastic Free July 2025

Plastic Free July challenges individuals and communities to reduce single-use plastics. Schools can play a critical role in raising awareness about plastic pollution.

Activities for Schools:

*Host a week-long challenge to avoid single-use plastics in lunchboxes.

*Run workshops on making reusable beeswax wraps or upcycling projects.

*Audit the school’s plastic usage and brainstorm ways to reduce it.

Ocean Life Education Resources

Shark Awareness Day – 14 July 2025

Sharks are vital to maintaining healthy marine ecosystems but are often misunderstood. Shark Awareness Day focuses on dispelling myths and emphasizing their ecological importance.

Activities for Schools:

Organize a debate on the portrayal of sharks in media.
Create educational posters highlighting their role as apex predators.
Discuss shark conservation efforts, including those in Queensland’s waters and the high profile ‘Nets Out Now’ campaign.

Ocean Life Education Shark Resources

Coastcare Week – December 2025

Coastcare Week celebrates the efforts of volunteers working to protect Australia’s coastlines and marine environments.

Activities for Schools:

*Host a workshop on how students can contribute to local coastcare initiatives.

*Conduct a field trip to a coastal area to study its biodiversity.

*Celebrate volunteer efforts by inviting local Coastcare representatives to share their stories.

Bring Learning to Life with Live Marine Experiences

Take ocean-themed education to the next level with hands-on learning. Ocean Life Education offer live marine animal programs led by qualified educators. These interactive sessions allow students to experience marine life up close while learning about conservation in a fun and engaging way.

By participating in these key ocean events in 2025, schools can inspire students to become advocates for marine conservation. Through hands-on activities and meaningful discussions, we can ensure the next generation values the incredible biodiversity and life-supporting functions of our oceans. Let’s make 2025 a year of action and connection with the sea! 🌊

For more resources and event details, check out Ocean Life Education.

We hoped you enjoyed reading our School’s Guide to Key Ocean Events in 2025!

CLICK HERE FOR YOUR FREE OCEAN EVENTS CALENDAR.

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Celebrating World Wetlands Day in Australia

copyright: Australian Environmental Education

World Wetlands Day is observed annually on February 2nd. It marks the date of the adoption of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 1971, an international treaty aimed at conserving and sustainably managing wetlands around the world. The day provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of wetlands for biodiversity, water resources, and the well-being of both people and the planet. It also serves as a platform to advocate for the protection and restoration of wetland ecosystems, which face numerous threats such as habitat loss, pollution, and climate change. Let’s delve into the significance of wetlands, their vital role in the environment, and why they deserve our utmost appreciation as we offer you a host of reasons for Celebrating World Wetlands Day in Australia.

Exploring the Richness of Wetlands

Wetlands encompass a diverse array of habitats, from marshes and swamps to mangroves and peatlands. Despite covering only a small percentage of the Earth’s surface, they are among the most productive ecosystems on the earth, supporting an astonishing variety of plant and animal life. Whether it’s the lush vegetation of a freshwater marsh or the unique biodiversity of a coastal mangrove forest, wetlands are hubs of life and vitality.

The Importance of Wetlands

Beyond their ecological richness, wetlands provide numerous ecosystem services essential for human well-being. They act as natural water filters, purifying and replenishing groundwater. Wetlands also serve as buffers against floods and storms, mitigating the impacts of extreme weather events. Furthermore, they are crucial for combatting climate change by storing vast amounts of carbon in their soils.

Did you know?

Coastal wetlands rank among Earth’s most biologically diverse habitats.
Coral reefs and mangrove forests serve as natural barriers, shielding coastlines from the destructive impacts of storm surges.
Wetlands are disappearing at an alarming rate, with a staggering 35% lost since the 1970s, outpacing the rate of forest loss by threefold.
The factors contributing to wetland loss encompass drainage and infilling for agricultural and construction purposes, pollution, overexploitation of resources such as overfishing, invasion by non-native species, and the overarching influence of climate change.

Challenges and Conservation Efforts

Despite their immense value, wetlands face an array of threats, including habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change. Human activities such as urbanization, agriculture, and infrastructure development have led to the degradation and loss of these vital ecosystems.

However, there is hope. Conservation efforts worldwide are striving to protect and restore wetlands, recognizing their importance for both nature and society. Through initiatives such as wetland conservation areas, sustainable land management practices, and international agreements like the Ramsar Convention, we can work together to safeguard these precious environments for future generations.

Celebrating World Wetlands Day in Australia

On World Wetlands Day, we celebrate the beauty and importance of these remarkable ecosystems. Whether it’s exploring a local wetland, participating in a conservation project, or simply spreading awareness about their significance, there are countless ways to get involved. By taking action to protect and preserve wetlands, we can ensure that they continue to thrive and fulfill their vital role in sustaining life on Earth.

Conclusion

As we celebrate World Wetlands Day, let’s remember that these ecosystems are not just areas of water and vegetation; they are lifelines for our planet. By recognizing their value, supporting conservation efforts, and fostering a deeper connection with nature, we can ensure that wetlands remain vibrant and resilient for generations to come. So let’s come together to honor and protect these invaluable treasures of our natural world. Happy World Wetlands Day!

We hoped you enjoyed reading our blog – Celebrating World Wetlands Day in Australia!

Useful links…

World Wetlands Day Official Website

World Wetlands Day Video Link 2024

Guide to Marine Habitats

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School’s Guide to Key Ocean Events in 2024

In a world where environmental concerns are taking center stage, we see it as our duty to captivate and enlighten young minds about the critical significance of the ocean. Our aim is to instill in them a profound understanding of why the ocean is vital to all of us and to inspire them to want to take an interest in it as something that is precious and needs to be cherished. We believe that the best way to do that is to make learning engaging and fun. What better way to do that than to focus on topical ocean events that happen throughout the year? So, here is our School’s Guide to Key Ocean Events in 2024…

UN Decade of Ocean Science 2021-2030

The United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) is a global initiative aimed at promoting international cooperation and collaboration in ocean science to achieve sustainable development goals.

The decade focuses on enhancing scientific knowledge of the ocean, developing innovative technologies, and fostering partnerships to address the challenges facing the ocean and coastal areas. The overarching goal is to ensure a healthy and resilient ocean that can support current and future generations.

Vision: To deliver the ‘science needed for the future we want’

Outcomes:

A clean ocean where sources of pollution are identified and reduced or removed
A healthy and resilient ocean where marine ecosystems are understood, protected, restored and managed.

UN Video Offical site

World Whale Day: 18 February 2024

In 1980, World Whale Day originated in Maui, Hawaii, with a focus on raising awareness about the challenges faced by whales in oceans worldwide. Annually observed on the third Sunday of February, this special day is dedicated to celebrating all aspects of whales and emphasizing the importance of their well-being. Useful info and resources.

Clean Up Australia Day 2024, 3 March

Clean Up Australia inspires and empowers communities to clean up, fix up and conserve our environment. Find out more

SeaWeek 2024, 2-10 March

Australia’s national public awareness initiative aims to spotlight community awareness, inform, and foster an appreciation for the sea. This week-long annual event provides an excellent platform to advocate for educational matters regarding the marine environment. The theme for this year centers around Ocean Literacy Principle 2: The ocean and life within it significantly influence the Earth’s features.

It focuses on our relationship with the natural world and the fact that healthy seas mean healthy people and calls on all of us to take some responsibility for the health and well-being of our coastal and marine environments. More info.

UN Ocean Decade Conference, Spain. April 10-12 2024

Three years after the initiation of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030), this worldwide conference is scheduled to unite the Ocean Decade community and its partners. The event aims to commemorate accomplishments and collaboratively establish future priorities for advancing the goals of the Decade. More info

World Oceans Day: 8 June 2024

The focal point of the 2024 United Nations World Oceans Day is ” Catalyzing Action for Our Ocean & Climate.” The annual day seeks to renewd enthusiasm for the conservation and protection of the ocean and our vast blue planet as a whole. Official Guide Activity ideas for schools

World Sea Turtle Day: 16 June 2024

World Sea Turtle Day is celebrated on 16 June annually as it is the birthday of Dr. Archie Carr, the so-called “father of sea turtle biology.” His research highlighted the plight of sea turtles and drove community support to protect them and celebrate them annually on World Sea Turtle Day. Turtle facts

Plastic Free July

Plastic Free July is a global movement that encourages individuals, communities, and businesses to reduce their plastic usage during the month of July. The initiative aims to raise awareness about the environmental impact of single-use plastics and inspire people to make conscious efforts to minimize their plastic consumption.

Participants in Plastic Free July commit to avoiding the use of single-use plastics such as plastic bags, bottles, straws, and packaging for the entire month. The campaign provides resources, tips, and challenges to help individuals make sustainable choices, adopt plastic-free habits, and contribute to reducing plastic pollution.

Shark Awareness Day: 14 July 2024

Sharks get a huge amount of bad press, yet on average one person is killed by a shark in Australia each year and heaps more are killed by horses and cows!! Without sharks in Australian waters, many ecosystems would not be sustainable, and we would be denied the pleasure of exploring amazing underwater habitats such as the world’s largest natural wonder, Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef. The impact on tourism and economies would be huge. Shark Awareness Day aims to separate fact from myth and promote a positive image for these amazing creatures. Shark resources.

Coastcare Week 2024

Coastcare comprises volunteers from Australia who are passionate about safeguarding our remarkable coastal and marine environments. These individuals unite as one, forming a formidable force of 500 groups across Australia. Together, these groups actively contribute to making a substantial impact through sustained, practical solutions to address environmental issues in their respective localities. Coastcare Week serves as an annual campaign dedicated to celebrating the remarkable efforts of these community groups throughout Australia. The theme for National Volunteer Week 2024 is ‘Something for Everyone’. More info

Check out our Annual Events Calendar for even more great reasons to celebrate the ocean in 2024.

Bring Learning to Life With A Live Marine Animal Program

Why not book in an Ocean Life Education program to compliment your teaching and bring it all to life. All programs are delivered by qualified Marine Educators with a passion for the ocean. They provide a lively, fun, and interactive experience with our live marine animals and are designed to educate and inspire schools and community to protect our precious marine environment.

We hoped you enjoyed reading our School’s Guide to Key Ocean Events in 2024!

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Celebrate Ocean Events in 2022

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

UN ‘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 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

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