Take action to help protect and restore these critical ecosystems, here are some ways to get involved:

1. Local Clean-Up Initiatives

Participating in local clean-ups is a hands-on way to make a difference. Organizations like the Surfrider Foundation and Ocean Conservancy regularly host beach and underwater clean-up events. You can find local events on their websites and join like-minded individuals to help keep our coastlines clean.

• Surfrider Foundation (US based): Find a beach clean-up near you.
• Ocean Conservancy (worldwide): Join the International Coastal Cleanup.
  

2. Citizen Science Projects

Citizen science allows you to contribute valuable data to marine research. Here are some exciting projects you can join:

• Coral Reef Listening Project: Help scientists monitor fish populations by analyzing underwater sounds from coral reefs. You can do this from your own home!! Just listen and click when you hear a fish! Learn more here and participate here.
• iNaturalist: Use this platform to document marine life in your area. Your observations help researchers track biodiversity. Start contributing.
• Coral Watch: Engage in coral health monitoring by assessing color changes in corals, essential for understanding reef health. Join here.
• Manta Trust: Join efforts to protect manta rays by contributing to research and awareness campaigns. You can adopt a manta ray (great Christmas gift!) or join a research expedition. Get involved here.
• Marine Conservation Society (MCS): Participate in beach cleans, data collection, and various conservation projects across the UK. Check them out here.

3. Volunteer Opportunities

Many organisations offer research, education, and hands-on restoration projects. Here are a couple to check out:

• MCS: Engage in beach cleans, species monitoring, and educational outreach in the UK. Explore volunteering options.
• Sign up for WiseOceans careers board for free here and get a wide range of volunteering opportunities, internships and paid jobs to your inbox weekly

4. Advocacy and Education

Educating yourself and others is crucial for marine conservation. You can participate in workshops, take online courses, and read materials about marine issues. Advocacy for policy change is also vital.

• Earthed Coral Reef Restoration Course: Gain knowledge on coral restoration techniques. Enrol here.
• Waterlust: Sign up for a newsletter that shares ocean-related content every Sunday. Great for staying informed! Subscribe here, and check out their sustainable shop here.
• WiseOceans Academy runs fun online lessons for children to spark their passion for the marine world: WiseOceans Academy. And read inspiring interviews from people working in marine restoration here.
• Green Fins: Download conservation tools from their website. Find a response toolkit for coral reef bleaching here and learn more about sustainable snorkelling practices here.

5. Support Sustainable Practices

Making informed choices can significantly impact marine health. Here are some tips:

• Choose Sustainable Seafood: Use resources like the Marine Conservation Society’s Good Fish Guide to make informed choices about seafood. Learn more.
• Reduce Plastic Use: Participate in local campaigns aimed at reducing single-use plastics, or simply bring your reusable bags and containers when shopping.
  

Getting Started

If you’re new to marine conservation, start small. Look for local events or community groups. Websites like VolunteerMatch can help you find opportunities near you. Every small action counts, whether it’s attending a clean-up or joining a local conservation group.

Resources

• Documentaries:
  • “Chasing Coral”
  • “My Octopus Teacher”
  • “Ocean Film Festival” – check screening dates here or watch online here
• Websites:
  • Ocean Conservancy
  • National Geographic
• Podcasts:
  • Seacreatures

If you are based in the UK, also check out this article which highlights even more ways to get involved (and really – if you’re based in UK – you’re never more than a couple of hours away from the ocean!) 5 Ways to Get Involved in Marine Science in the UK – WiseOceans

The post Dive Into Marine Restoration: How You Can Make a Difference! appeared first on Earthed.

Liane, one of our community pollinators and contributor to Coral Reef Restoration course, attended the Earthed summit. Here she shares her experience of how the summit renewed her sense of optimism. As well as a commitment to taking action to restore the natural world.

My experience at the Earthed summit

It is rare, in the largest city in the UK, to feel like you are completely surrounded only by positive energy and good, kind, passionate people. But that is what the Earthed summit in November was like. The Barbican Centre is an impressive building; glassy and so light, sunny and green despite being in the throes of UK winter, with an array of towering, but soothing, leafy plants. The perfect setting for the day.

As someone who is not that good at sitting still for any length of time, I wondered how I would sit through a day of talks. However the speakers and topics were so interesting and encouraging that the day flew by.

I have recently relocated back to the UK after around nine years of working abroad. I am still finding my place again in this country, and learning how to connect with nature here. I absorbed so much knowledge and inspiration from this day that is helping me on that journey.

Soil is the foundation!

I loved the emphasis on the soil throughout many of the talks. It really fits with the name ‘Earthed’. Soil is the anchor and the soul of everything else in nature. It is the foundation, but it is so easily forgotten, sitting quietly underneath our feet.

A talk with the founder of Sugi, an organisation that creates biodiverse, dense pocket forests, emphasised that the key to the success of these forests is to start with the soil. We were encouraged by different speakers to take the time to appreciate the soil; feel the soil under your bare feet, hold it in your hands, connect with it as our source.

Making real change

The whole theme of the summit was – what are the solutions? As someone who deals with a lot of eco-anxiety and frequently has negative thoughts about the state of the planet, this was so uplifting.

A point that really stuck with me was how important restoration is to the problem of climate change and species migration; nature has dealt with many changes over thousands of years, and if nature is in a healthy state then it is better able to adapt to these changes.

By restoring and growing, we are strengthening ecosystems.

Especially to the threat of climate change and anthropogenic impact. Let’s hold on to that, and instead of thinking the problem is too big for us to solve, we can all do what we can to help nature to help itself.

I also loved how many of the speakers had set up schemes to involve their communities in growing and restoring. Such as; getting school children involved and excited about growing their own food, combining gardening with hip-hop to engage marginalised youth, and involving indigenous wisdom in our solutions.

Our responsibility as Earthed members

I came out of the summit with a renewed sense of optimism. I learnt that one of the most beneficial things we can do is create an attitude change. In many countries around the world, we have become attuned to convenience. We go to the shops and can buy any kind of food at any time of the year. Any clothes we want from any material, and we are so disconnected from where these resources come from. We need to align our habits and actions with the seasons and the natural cycles of food and resources.

And that is what the Earthed community is doing. People are out there setting up community supported agriculture, community allotment spaces, sustainable beauty and fashion, as well as restoring forests, rivers, and other ecosystems. People who live in flats with no outdoor space are experimenting with growing herbs and microgreens on the windowsills, and sharing this knowledge with others.

This is our responsibility now, as part of Earthed; create action, be enthusiastic, welcoming and motivating. Let’s spread this positivity and these solutions, and through this amazing community and the networks we form and grow, we can create real change.

If you want to experience some of the incredible talks and soak up the inspiration from the summit you can access the Digital Earthed Summit with over 20 talks and panels, from global nature leaders who spoke live at the Earthed Summit last November.

The post The Earthed Summit – “By restoring and growing, we are strengthening ecosystems.” appeared first on Earthed.