Marine Wildlife Champions
Marine Wildlife Champions
The Marine Wildlife Champions project is led by Devon Wildlife Trust's Wilder Learning Team. The aim of this outreach project is to empower a generation of young marine advocates, armed with the skills and knowledge necessary to deliver positive change in the world around them!
In order to achieve this, Marine Wildlife Champions are immersed in their local marine environment and the global challenges it faces. A self-led, year-long project, with support from DWT staff, will enable participants to work as a team to affect behavioural change within their school, home or local community...to champion the cause of marine wildlife.
The truth is: the natural world is changing. It is the most precious thing we have and we need to defend it.”
An example of artwork created by Plymouth College of Art student, Logan, in 2017
Marine Wildlife Champions are tasked with choosing and raising awareness of one of the main threats to our marine wildlife; from plastic to water pollution; over fishing or climate change. Their project can be delivered however the students choose, often through surveys, art work, campaigns/petitions, assemblies or local community events.
Primary pupils learn hands on about plastic ingestion with the Ocean Conservation Trust.
The Champions are invited to attend a free, annual beach conference here at Wembury, providing experiential, hands on learning about local marine wildlife, as well as interactive sessions focussing on each of the threats, delivered by DWT Wilder Learning staff and local partners.
Ultimately, the Marine Wildlife Champions are challenged to create a measurable difference for marine wildlife and at the end of the year-long project, they are required to present their findings to a wider audience, gaining confidence in public speaking, self-esteem and group empowerment!
#BeTheChangeYouWantToSeeInTheWorld
Sparkwell Primary School Marine Wildlife Champions presenting their project at the NMA in 2018.
This year-long project is available to a variety of educational groups, including primary and secondary schools/colleges, further education institutions, Special Educational Needs schools and home/alternative education providers. We welcome students from all educational backgrounds.
The project costs £420 per school per year. You will also need to arrange and cover the cost of transport for the beach conference.
For further information or to register your interest, please check out our Wildlife Champions brochure here.
Support our work here:
A basking shark (Ceterhinus maximus) feeding on plankton (visible as white dots in the water) off Lands End, Cornwall, England. British Isles. North East Atlantic Ocean. Photographed in June. - Alexander Mustard/2020VISION