Seaweek 2014 is all go!

Press Release - for immediate release Monday 18 November 2013

Seaweek 2014 is all go!

The New Zealand Association for Environment Education is delighted that ASB Community Trust has chosen to support its flagship event, Seaweek with a grant for the next three years.

NZAEE Board Member and Seaweek Programme Manager, Pam Crisp says:

“This shows that ASB Community Trust can see benefit in the educational outcomes we’re achieving from having an annual focus on the issues affecting the oceans and ways that communities and schools can get involved.””

“It’s wonderful that we’re now able to plan for the next three years to grow the event and engage more people in this fun and informative week about the sea. Many thanks to ASB Community Trust for their commitment.”

“Our fragile, finite taonga” is the theme for NZAEE’s Seaweek 2014, highlighting how precious this amazing resource is that we call the sea. Running from March 1-9, Seaweek 2014 will call on Kiwis from all walks of life to celebrate Tangaroa’s realm, tackle issues such as marine pollution and learn about the positive impacts of initiatives such as sustainable fishing and marine reserves to look after our seas for future generations. We all contribute to taking care of our oceans.

Seaweek has just launched a new website at www.seaweek.org.nz and everyone is encouraged to go online to nominate and vote for their “Ocean Champion” to celebrate all those individuals, groups and organizations who work so hard to look after our seas and the marine life that lives in them.

New for Seaweek 2014 will be the launch of more great opportunities to get children involved in citizen science. The ‘Marine Metre Squared’ project, overseen by the NZ Marine Studies Centre, encourages schools, families, communities and iwi to get involved in collecting valuable data and monitoring their local seashore environment. The MM2 project will be launching a new guide for soft sediments in 2014, so that sandy and muddy shores can be assessed along with rocky shores. Data entered into the MM2 website at www.mm2.net.nz will be used to help scientists improve coastal management.

More information on both initiatives is on our new website at www.seaweek.org.nz

Many events will be scheduled around the country during Seaweek 2014, including favourites such as ‘Farewell to the Godwits’ bird watching, clean-ups, adventure races, films, lectures and guided snorkeling trips. If you are interested in organising an event contact the Seaweek Regional Coordinator for your area to discuss how they can support you. Their contact details and all events will be available on the Seaweek website.

The Seaweek team would love to hear what your school is doing to explore this year’s theme of “Our fragile, finite taonga” and help you with publicity and resources. Please let National Coordinator, Mels Barton know your ideas and plans and ask for Seaweek posters. Just let Mels know how many you need on mels@subliminal.co.nz

Seaweek 2014 is supported by ASB Community Trust, Department of Conservation, NZ Marine Studies Centre, University of Otago, Auckland Council, the DSP Print Group Ltd and many local sponsors.

ENDS

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