Marine Life & Conservation
Helping children see seaweed differently
Marine Conservation Society brings marine macro-algae to North Devon’s classrooms
The UK’s leading marine charity, the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), has created a programme to bring a vital, yet often overlooked and misunderstood part of our coast to life for seven to eleven-year olds.
Seaweed, often thought to be slippery, slimy, smelly stuff, with no real purpose is the subject of a set of educational resources aimed at helping local children in North Devon to see this vital macro-alga differently. MCS has been working in the North Devon Coast AONB to develop the programme.
Seaweed provides protection from waves and storms, shelter for fish and shellfish, energy for intertidal creatures and even food for us. With around 650 seaweed species in the UK, we are living in a global diversity hotspot. It’s estimated that 70- 80% of the world’s oxygen comes from marine algae which also helps us by locking up C02 to slow climate change. Yet most of us are unaware of the importance of seaweed or how to recognise and record it.
MCS has been working on the Big Seaweed Search with the Natural History Museum over the past few years and has now created a new suite of downloadable resources to help primary school teachers and other youth group leaders introduce children aged 7 to 11, to the beauty, diversity and value of seven easily found seaweed species that thrive on our coasts.
Jules Agate, MCS Volunteer and Engagement Manager for the South West, who developed the ‘Teach On The Beach; Big Seaweed Search for schools’ says: “The North Devon Coast is a fantastic place to get stuck into seaweed! There’s lots of it, it’s a free study material available in some of the most beautiful outdoor classrooms of the entire UK. Our pack means you’ll never look at seaweed in the same way again!”
Fun activities to do on the shore supplement the Big Seaweed Search activity itself. Associated indoor sessions use curriculum linked lessons, games, practical activities, video and even dance to bring seaweeds alive and encourage children to delve deeper and discover the amazing attributes of algae. All resources are freely available, and sessions can be amended to suit any particular group and teaching situation.
Appledore Primary School has already used the pack and one Year 6 student said: “Seaweed is algae that is found in the sea. It may look like just an old strip of useless slimy plants. I can tell you that you are wrong. I have learnt from The Marine Conservation Society that seaweed has many uses, including keeping us safe.”
This project has been supported by the North Devon Coast AONB’s Sustainable Development Fund which is funded by Defra. The SDF supports projects such as Teach On The Beach; Big Seaweed Search for schools which bring environmental, social or economic benefit to the North Devon Coast AONB.
Jenny Carey-Wood, North Devon Coast AONB Manager says: “We are delighted to grant aid this project. The Teach On The Beach; Big Seaweed Search for Schools builds on the successful work carried out by the AONB’s Coastal Creatures project with primary schools across the area, using the beach as an outdoor classroom and connecting children to nature.”
For more information please visit the Marine Conservation Society website by clicking here.
Images: Jules Agate
After a two-year tour of UK art galleries, community spaces and aquariums, the Shark Trust’s acclaimed Oceanic31 exhibition takes its final bow at the Royal Geographical Society later this month. And the unique collection of artwork, depicting 31 species of oceanic sharks and rays, donated by 31 artists, is now open for bids from art lovers and shark enthusiasts. The online auction, launched today, will close on the 7th December at 8pm (BST). The money raised will support the Shark Trust Oceanics Programme.
People can now bid on 27 of the artworks by visiting this website:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
It is a chance to own a beautiful piece of original art and to support the Shark Trust. The timing of the auction also means that these would make a very special Christmas gift for any shark-lover.
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- Bigeye Thresher Shark by Janina Rossiter
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- Carcharodon carcharias by Jimmy Higgs
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- Croc VR 2030 by Tom Mead
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- Oceanic Whitetip by ATM
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- Silky Street by ScapaJoe
The diversity of pieces mirrors that of the sharks and rays they represent. You can bid on paintings, digital creations, sculptures, mixed media and more. You can pick your favourite artist or species of shark. Or you can select the perfect artwork to make a statement in your home or office. Whichever you choose, you will be supporting the work to protect these amazing animals.
One of the pieces of art has been selected to be auctioned live by Steve Backshall at the For the Love of Sharks event at the Royal Geographical Society in London on the 29th November. In addition to this, two further pieces will be raffled at this event, giving people a chance to win an incredible piece of shark art. For the Love of Sharks is the Shark Trust’s flagship evening. A night to celebrate sharks. Steve Backshall is the headline speaker at this event that will see other prominent shark advocates join him on stage.
Tickets for the event can be snapped up here:
https://thesharktrust.org.uk/Event/flos24
Those that would like to see the Oceanic 31 exhibition have one final chance. It is being displayed at the Pavilion at the Royal Geographic Society from 26th November until the 7th December. Entry is free.
Find out more here:
https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/oceanic-31
Paul Cox, Shark Trust CEO, Said “This exhibition has given us the opportunity to reach out to a new audience. And inspire more people with the wonderful sharks and rays on which our Big Shark Pledge campaign is based. We are immensely grateful to the 31 artists who have worked so hard to create these works.”
Bid for your favourite Oceanic 31 artwork here:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
Banner Image: Smooth Hammerhead by Alicia Hayden
Until 28 November, prizes worth a massive £10,000 – including experiences, products and tuition – feature in a line-up of items that can be won for £5 in an online prize draw to celebrate Bite-Back Shark & Marine Conservation’s 20th anniversary and help generate crucial funds for the future.
Top of the list of prizes is the chance to spend time with adventurer and wildlife expert Steve Backshall, a workout session with Nat Geo star Aldo Kane, a kayaking trip alongside white-water expert and diver Sal Montgomery and a Zoom call with ‘shark whisperer’ Cristina Zenato.
On top of that, some of the most admired companies in the diving and scuba industry have been quick to support the charity with fabulous prizes that make the £5 ticket price worth more than just a flutter.
Master Liveaboards, BSAC, Midlands Diving Chamber, Go Freediving and Blue Shark Snorkel have all generously donated experience prizes, while celebrated photographer Alex Mustard has donated a print and artists Scott Gleed and Olivier Leger have donated a sculpture and illustration to help boost the fundraising pot.
Fourth Element has donated Ocean Positive gear and LA watch company Nodus has gifted the charity a stunning dive watch. For land lovers, the charity has included a five star London hotel stay at Bankside Hotel plus a family visit to Longleat Safari Park in the roster of prizes.
Campaign director for Bite-Back, Graham Buckingham, said: “We’ve been overwhelmed with support from companies and individuals that we truly admire and who have supported us on our 20 year journey and we’re truly grateful to them all. While we feel incredibly proud of our achievements over the past two decades – and we are super excited about the next chapter – this prize draw isn’t a vanity project. It represents a real lifeline to our work and important advancements in the global protection of sharks. So we hope divers, dive clubs and even bargain hunters grab some tickets to make this a massive success.”
The charity hopes that the prize draw will generate crucial funds to launch a brand new, ground-breaking, campaign to enrol the public and increase support for the protection of sharks around the world.
To enter the competition visit www.bite-back.com/prizedraw. The prize winners will be announced on 1 December 2024.
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