Aeon for Ocean

Happy Monday. Our thoughts and prayers are still with everyone affected by Hurricane Helene, who are now dealing with severe devastation and loss.🙏🏻 Today is the last day of September and you know what that means! A recap of our topic and what we learned!🧽 – We learned what exactly a sea sponge is, including its ‘formal name’ of Phylum Porifera and why they’re so important to the ocean 🌊 – We shared a cute story about a Sea Sponge named Sammy who showed readers that no matter how small a creature is, they can sometimes make the biggest impact on trying to save the ocean 🧽😊 – We learned all about Sea Sponges’ unique anatomy and what sets them apart from other sea life 🪸 – We learned that there are many types of sea sponges and each one is completely different 🫶🏻 An exciting, new topic is coming your way tomorrow and you don’t want to miss it!🌊🥰 — #monday #AeonforOcean #seasponge #oceanconservation #marineconservation #innovation #goodvibes #savetheplanet #funfacts #overview #autumn #newpost #followformore

We are keeping all of those in the path of Hurricane Helene in our thoughts this morning.🙏🏻 This month has gone by way too fast! How are we already to #friday and how is it almost the end of September?! Enjoy part 3, aka the finale of “Sammy the Sea Sponge” 🧽🌊💙 Part 3: A Cleaner Future 🪸 Back at the reef, Sammy called for a meeting. All his ocean friends gathered: Tina the Turtle, Barry the Blowfish, and even the shy seahorses. Sammy explained what he had learned from Ollie the Octopus and told them about his plan to clean up the reef and spread the word about ocean conservation. “We need everyone’s help!” Sammy urged. “The coral needs us to be its voice.” The ocean creatures got to work. Tina and the seahorses started collecting plastic, while Barry puffed up to scare away some pesky jellyfish who were getting in the way. Fish carried away small pieces of trash, and crabs scurried along the sand, picking up anything harmful. Sammy helped, too, soaking up bits of oil and grime as he traveled through the reef. Once the reef was clean, Sammy and Tina decided to visit a nearby island where humans often snorkeled. They swam close to the shore and found a group of kids splashing in the shallow water. “Look!” one of the kids exclaimed, pointing at Tina. “A sea turtle!” The kids watched as Sammy and Tina floated near the shore, carrying a few pieces of plastic. One of the kids gasped. “That’s so sad! We need to help keep the ocean clean!” That day, the kids decided to pick up trash on the beach and promised to use less plastic to help protect the ocean. Sammy beamed with pride—his message was getting through! The Coral Kingdom began to thrive again as more sea creatures joined the cleanup efforts. Sammy, the little sea sponge, had proven that even the smallest creatures could make a big impact on ocean conservation. The reef glowed once more with brilliant colors, and Sammy knew that with everyone’s help, the ocean would remain a beautiful, healthy place for generations to come. ✨🫶🏻💙 — #AeonforOcean #seasponge #adventure #story #newpost #oceanconservation #savetheocean #sea #water #wildlife #positivechange #Minnesota #exploremn #ocean #conservation #marinelife #followformore

We hope you enjoyed part 1 of “Sammy the Sea Sponge” 😊 Today, the story continues! 🪸 Part 2: Ollie’s Big Lesson Sammy finally reached Ollie’s den, tucked into a rocky cave. The octopus waved one of his tentacles in greeting. “Hello, Sammy! What brings you here?” “Ollie, something terrible is happening! The coral is dying, and plastic is everywhere. I think the pollution is hurting our home. Can you help us?” Ollie nodded solemnly. “You’re right, Sammy. The coral is very sensitive to changes in temperature and pollution. When the water gets too warm or full of chemicals, the coral begins to bleach and die. Plastic also harms marine animals, making it harder for them to live in a clean, safe ocean.” “What can we do?” Sammy asked, feeling small in such a big ocean. “There are a few things you can do,” Ollie said, his eyes twinkling. “First, we need to clean up the plastic. You could organize a reef cleanup with your friends. And second, we must raise awareness. Tell the creatures in other parts of the ocean about what’s happening here. Maybe they can spread the word to the humans who visit the ocean and encourage them to take better care of it.” Sammy felt energized. He might be small, but he could make a big difference with the help of his friends! If you like this story, follow us for more!🧽🌊🫶🏻 — #AeonforOcean #seasponge #adventure #story #newpost #oceanconservation #savetheocean #sea #water #wildlife #positivechange #Minnesota #exploremn #ocean #conservation #marinelife #followformore

🌊Ready for the New School Year? Let’s Make a Splash with Ocean Education!🌊 Attention Educators! 📚✨ The new school year is almost here, and we’re excited to invite you to join our Teacher Ambassador Program! This is your chance to integrate ocean conservation into your classroom and make a lasting impact on your students. What’s included? 🔹Free Curriculum: Dive into our ready-made lesson plans and activities. 🔹Expert Webinars: Enhance your teaching skills with sessions from marine specialists. 🔹Supportive Network: Join a community of passionate educators. 🔹Student Engagement: Inspire your students to become ocean defenders Interested? Drop us a message or visit our website to learn more. Together, we can foster a love for the ocean and drive positive change!🌊 💙 — #backtoschool #oceaneducation #teacherambassador #marineconservation #inspirechange #educationmatters #oceanheroes #nonprofit #aeonforocean

We’re so excited to share this month’s story with you!🫶🏻 Enjoy part 1 of “Sammy the Sea Sponge” and don’t forget to follow us for the rest of the story, as well as for all things ocean conservation!💙🌊🧽 Part 1: The Disappearing Coral Reef 🪸 In the warm waters of the Coral Kingdom, Sammy the Sea Sponge lived a happy, peaceful life nestled between vibrant coral branches. His home was a bustling city of fish, crabs, and other sea creatures. Sammy, though quiet and observant, was an important part of the reef, cleaning the water and making sure it stayed healthy. One sunny morning, however, Sammy noticed something strange—many of the bright coral colors around him were fading, and some of his fish friends were nowhere to be found! “Where’s everyone going?” Sammy asked his neighbor, Tina the Turtle. “The coral is dying!” Tina explained. “The water is getting warmer, and some creatures are leaving in search of better homes.” This worried Sammy. Without the coral, the whole community could be lost! Determined to find a solution, Sammy decided to set off on an adventure. His first stop: to visit Ollie the Octopus, a wise old creature who knew everything about the ocean. As Sammy bobbed along through the waters, he came across a group of fish picking through some trash. “Hey, what’s all this?” Sammy asked curiously. “It’s plastic,” replied one of the fish. “It’s been floating in the ocean for a while, and it’s really hurting our home..” Sammy suddenly had an idea. Maybe the coral reef was sick because of the trash and pollution in the water! He hurried to find Ollie, hoping to learn more about how to protect the reef. Stay tuned to see what happens next!👀🧽 — #AeonforOcean #seasponge #adventure #story #newpost #oceanconservation #savetheocean #sea #water #wildlife #positivechange #Minnesota #exploremn #ocean #conservation #marinelife #followformore

Happy Friday ocean friends! Did you know that Phylum Porifera, aka sea sponges, are some of the oldest living organisms in the ocean?! Some even date back to 500 MILLION years ago! Not only that, but sea sponges have no heart, brain or tissues! Instead, they rely on their body structure to survive. 🪸 So, if sponges don’t have major organs or tissues, what are they made out of? 👀 These little guys are made of special cells that work together in order to filter water through their bodies, which helps them absorb nutrients and water! 🧫 A fun fact? They can filter up to 20,000 times their own volume of water, every single day! Cool right? 🧽💦💧 Why are they so important to ocean conservation and marine ecosystems? They play a critical role in marine ecosystems because they provide homes for other marine life and they also help maintain the water quality of the ocean! All of these things are super important in ensuring that our oceans remain happy and healthy for a very long time. ✨ Want to learn more? Follow us here for all things ocean conservation or visit www.aeonforocean.org! 🌊 — #friyay #oceanconservation #marineconservation #sealife #seasponge #saveourseas #education #newpost #weekend #happy #weekendvibes #follow #instagram #aeonforocean #nonprofitorganization #minneapolis #minnesota #funfacts

🌟Dive into Ocean Conservation with Our Teacher Ambassador Program! 🌟 Hey Educators! 📚🌊 As we gear up for another exciting school year, we’re thrilled to invite you to join our Teacher Ambassador Program. With this opportunity, you can inspire your students to become ocean advocates and champions for marine conservation! What’s in it for you? 🔹Engaging Curriculum: Access our comprehensive middle school curriculum focused on ocean conservation, marine biology, and more. 🔹Exclusive Workshops: Participate in professional development sessions led by ocean experts. 🔹Collaborative Community: Connect with fellow educators who share your passion for the ocean. 🔹Empowered Students: Equip your students with knowledge and skills to protect our seas. Ready to make waves in education?🌊 🐠 1. Send us a DM to get started. 2. Explore our free resources. 3. Start inspiring your students today! Let’s work together to educate and empower the next generation of ocean heroes! 🌟 — #teacherambassador #oceanconservation #marinebiology #educationforchange #seaheroes #teacherresources #curriculum #professionaldevelopment #middleschool #middleschoolcurriculum #educatetoempower #backtoschool #nonprofit #contactus #oceanconservation #marineconservation #oceanheros #savetheseas #savetheplanet

🌊🧽 Dive into the incredible world of sponges and their symbiotic relationships! 🦠🌿 From bacteria and algae to other marine organisms, these partnerships help sponges with nutrient acquisition and defense. Certain sponge species establish mutualistic or commensal relationships with other organisms. For instance, sponges often host photosynthetic microbes like cyanobacteria or dinoflagellates, which supply extra nutrients through photosynthesis. These partnerships not only boost the sponge's energy resources, aiding in their survival and growth, but also enhance the overall biodiversity and health of the surrounding ecosystem. Sponges, with their porous structures, offer prime real estate for a range of tenants. For instance, giant barrel sponges attract small fish, shrimp, and other marine creatures. Shrimp, like the regal snapping shrimp, not only find shelter but also a banquet of food and a cleaning service from parasites. They form complex colonies with a social hierarchy akin to bees. Spider crabs and pea crabs also frequent sponges, some decorating their shells with sponge pieces for camouflage. Meanwhile, brittle stars graze on plankton and detritus from sponges, and zoanthids create vibrant, living tapestries on their surfaces. However, not all relationships are mutualistic; sponge threadworms parasitize their hosts, while gobies prey on these worms. Sponges also host numerous microbes that aid in nutrient acquisition and defense, showcasing a complex web of symbiosis that highlights their ecological importance. Check out our illustration to see how these fascinating connections work! First, coral and algae release mucus. This creates an increased amount of dissolved organic matter near sea sponges. Sponges use this as nutrients and release particulate organic matter for the detritivores, which keeps them thriving. 🔍 Did you know sponges host a variety of symbiotic organisms? Discover more about these partnerships! — #marinelife #symbiosis #oceanscience #aeonforocean #oceanconservation #marineconservation #seasponge #follow #nonprofit #minneapolis #inspire #saveourseas #savetheplanet #science

A new start to the week is a fresh opportunity to learn something new!🪸 Sea Sponges = Nature’s Helpers Did you know that sea sponges are some of the oldest creatures in the ocean? They might look like colorful plants, but they’re actually animals! Sea sponges play a super important role in keeping the ocean healthy. Here’s how: 1. **Cleaning the Water**: Sea sponges act like natural filters. They suck in water, trap tiny food particles, and release clean water back into the ocean. This helps keep the water clear and healthy for other sea creatures! 2. **Providing Homes**: Many small ocean animals, like shrimp, crabs, and fish, like to live in and around sea sponges. Their soft, spongy bodies make great hiding spots and homes for these creatures. 3. **Recycling Nutrients**: As they filter the water, sponges also help recycle important nutrients, which helps plants and other animals grow. So, even though sea sponges don’t move around like fish, they’re still hard at work every day helping keep the ocean clean and providing a cozy home for other sea creatures! — #mondayvibes #happymonday #aeonforocean #funfacts #mondaymotivation #seasponge #oceanconservation #marineconservation #advocate #nonprofit #follow #minnesota #reels #newpost

The weekend is HERE, which means…you guessed it! A new post.🤭 Today, we’re heading into all the different types of sponges and trust us, there’s lots! Did you know that sponges come in a variety of forms, each with its own unique structure? Let’s dive into the fascinating world of sponges and discover their different classes: Calcarea: These sponges are characterized by their calcium carbonate spicules, which give them a more rigid and often branched structure. They’re often found in shallow marine waters. Hexactinellida: Known as the "glass sponges," these have silica spicules that form intricate, lattice-like frameworks. They typically inhabit deep-sea environments, showcasing stunning, delicate forms. Demospongiae: This is the largest class of sponges, featuring a skeleton made from spongin (a type of collagen) or silica. They come in a vast array of shapes and sizes, from vibrant coral reefs to deep-sea habitats. Homoscleromorpha: These sponges have a unique skeletal structure with very simple spicules or none at all. They’re often found in marine and freshwater environments and have a more cohesive body structure. Which type of sponge fascinates you the most? Comment below and let’s chat about these incredible organisms! — #MarineLife #Sponges #OceanScience #UnderwaterWorld #Biology #SeaCreatures #ExploreNature #AeonForOcean #Nonprofit #tgif #happyweekend #newpost Images ©NOAA ©iNaturalist