WORLD OCEANS DAY
Sunday 8th June 1997
Events are now being planned all over the UK to celebrate World Oceans
Day 1997. If you would like to participate or organise your own event you
can obtain an event organisers' leaflet packed with useful ideas and
addresses from Cathy Lord at the address below.
World Oceans Day is held on June 8 every year, having been first
celebrated at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. The aim of World
Oceans Day is to increase understanding of the marine environment and
its importance for wildlife and all life on Earth. By joining together to
celebrate the oceans we can raise awareness of the need to conserve and
protect the world's seas. World Oceans Day is a positive celebration of
the marine environment and is a-political and therefore provides
opportunities for cross-sector co-operation from all organisations with
connections to the marine environment.
During World Oceans Day 1996 an estimated 30,000 people took part in over
200 events all around the UK. These ranged from sponsored walks to
seashore safaris, from talks and exhibitions to sand sculptures. Events
were organised by many of the major conservation organisations, county
councils and statutory agencies as well as by independent organisations.
World Oceans Day is a Wildlife and Countryside Link initiative which is
made possible by the financial support of Countryside Council for Wales,
English Nature, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Scottish Natural
Heritage, Sea Fish Industry Authority, Whale and Dolphin Conservation
Society, The Wildlife Trusts and WWF-UK (World Wide Fund for
Nature).
World Oceans Day 1997 Oceanic Classroom Competition
Schoolchildren are invited to turn their classroom into an ocean and you
could win a treasure chest of environmental education resources. This
creative project could focus upon the diverse and fascinating wildlife
to be found under the waves or, alternatively, the impact of man upon the
oceans - perhaps through pollution or whaling etc..
Simply send in photographs of your 'oceanic' classroom and
maybe a short description of the activities undertaken to Cathy Lord at
the address below. The closing date for receipt of entries is 20 June
1997.
For further information about World Oceans Day or the events being
organised in your local area please contact:
Cathy Lord, World Oceans Day Project Officer
246, Lavender Hill, London SW11 1LJ
Telephone: 0171 924 2355, Fax: 0171 223 4235
Email: cathy at wildlink.demon.co.uk
World Oceans Day - Scotland
An all-day seminar for prospective World Oceans Day event organisers is
being held at the Battleby Centre, Redgorten, Perth on Tuesday 28 January.
Topics for discussion will include the why, when and how's of organising
an event as well as a range of ideas of the types of events that can be
held.
Details of the World Oceans Day - Scotland Seminar can be obtained from:
Kate Pangbourne, Scottish Natural Heritage, Battleby,
Redgorten, Perth, PH1 3EW
