Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs

🌎 Bow Seat is thrilled to announce the launch of the 14th annual Ocean Awareness Contest– “Connections to Nature: Looking Inside, Going Outside”. 🎨 The 2025 Ocean Awareness Contest – Connections to Nature – invites you to reflect on your unique bond with the natural world. Whether it’s discovering the history of the land you live on, joining the fight against climate change, or finding peace in a walk through the park, we encourage you to explore how you connect with nature. Express your thoughts and experiences through art, writing, performance, film, or multimedia, and share your relationship to the natural world. 🌿 Visit the Contest website to explore our four sub-themes: Generational Knowledge🪶, which looks at the wisdom passed down through generations about our connection to the earth; Concrete Jungle 🏙️, exploring nature’s role in urban spaces; Resilience💪, highlighting how humans and ecosystems adapt to environmental challenges; and Healthy Environments, Healthy Humans🧘♀️, focusing on the link between nature’s health and our own well-being. Use these prompts to inspire your creative work! 🦋 Students ages 11-18 can submit their entries for a chance to earn cash prizes of up to $1,000 USD, while contributing to the world's largest environmental creative arts program for young people. 🦜 Get working on your masterpiece! Learn more and submit your work at 🔗bit.ly/BowSeat2025 (also linked in bio) 🌊 #ConnectionToNature #YouthPower #BeTheChange #ArtContest #PoetryContest #Youth #KidsContest #School #ClimateHero #Nature #Activism #Artivism #Advocacy #Ocean #WorldOceanDay #Teacher #Teachers #Students #Environment #Nature #YouthOpportunity #ClimateJustice #OceanGeneration #FundingScheme #GoodCauses #ArtContest2025

As oceans warm, hurricanes grow stronger at alarming speeds. Hurricanes like Milton reflect this frightening trend—storms that intensify by 35 mph or more in just 24 hours. Following the same path as Hurricane Helene, which surged from a Category 1 to a Category 4 within a day before slamming Florida, Milton evolved from a tropical storm to a destructive Category 5, now on course to strike central Florida this Wednesday. 💨 Once rare, these explosive shifts are becoming all too common, with storms like Otis and Lee earlier this year morphing into violent systems in a matter of hours. Hurricanes Ian (2022) and Michael (2018) followed similar trajectories, leaving destruction in their wake and underscoring the urgency for better preparedness. Rapidly intensifying storms now threaten not only coastal areas but also inland regions with catastrophic flooding, as seen with Hurricane Helene's impact across the southeastern U.S. 🎨 The artwork featured here, created by Bow Seat’s talented young artists in response to our past contests, reflecting their understanding of these urgent environmental changes. Their work captures the devastation caused by storms like Milton, serving as a powerful reminder of the pressing need for action. 📉 While scientists race to improve forecasting methods, the challenge remains: when a perfect storm of conditions aligns, warm waters, high humidity, and low wind shear, rapid intensification can catch communities off guard. As the climate shifts, storms like Hurricane Milton remind us of the unpredictable future we face, demanding both awareness and resilience. #ClimateChange #HurricaneMilton #Hurricane #HurricaneArt #ClimateArt #ClimateAction #SDGs #BowSeat #Art #YoungArtists #YouthArt #GenerationArtivism #GenSea #OceanHeat #Ocean #OceanOptimism

As conflicts and divisions challenge communities worldwide, the need for peace has never been more urgent. On World Peace Day, we reflect on the importance of unity, understanding, and collective action. Just as natural elements must align to create balance in our environment, achieving peace requires harmony between nations, cultures, and individuals. 🌟 The artwork featured here, created by young artists from the Bow Seat Gallery, embodies their vision of a peaceful future. Their creativity offers powerful messages of hope, resilience, and the belief that together, we can cultivate a world free from conflict. As Plato once said, "Only the dead have seen the end of war," reminding us that peace is not passive—it must be actively nurtured to prevent the cycle of conflict from continuing. 💬 In a time when global challenges seem overwhelming, art serves as both an inspiration and a call to action. Through vibrant colours, diverse perspectives, and compelling narratives, these young artists show us that peace is not just the absence of war, it’s the presence of empathy, understanding, and respect for one another. #WorldPeaceDay #Art #PeaceAndHarmony #YouthArt #Artivism #ArtForpeace #YouthActivism #WhiteFlag

Bow Seat’s Future Blue Youth Council member, María Paz Dakota Ormeño Vasquez, sheds light on a pressing issue in her blog, “Silent Suffering: Pollution’s Impact on Indigenous Communities.” María Paz explores the severe health risks and cultural disruptions that pollution inflicts on indigenous peoples worldwide. Through vivid examples like the Badjao people of the Philippines, who grapple with plastic waste in their fishing grounds, and Native American communities facing heightened air pollution, María Paz underscores the global scale of this environmental injustice. She highlights the critical role of Indigenous Peoples in preserving biodiversity and calls for urgent action to protect their lands and rights. María Paz’s blog reminds us that pollution is not just an environmental issue but a human rights concern. She advocates for policy changes, support for indigenous-led organizations, and conscious lifestyle choices to combat pollution’s devastating effects. Learn more https://lnkd.in/gYbBU_E8 #environmentaljustice #indigenousrights #pollutionawareness #youthactivism #sustainability #communitysupport #futureleaders #environmentaladvocacy #bowseat

BOW SEAT’S WE ALL RISE PRIZE 2024 🎨 The 2025 Ocean Awareness Contest—Connections to Nature—invites you to reflect on your unique bond with the natural world. Whether it’s discovering the history of the land you live on, joining the fight against environmental degradation, or finding peace in a walk through the park, we encourage you to explore how you connect with nature. Express your thoughts and experiences through art, writing, performance, film, or multimedia, and share your relationship to the natural world. 🧑🎨As part of Bow Seat’s commitment to diversity and the youth on frontlines of climate change, a total of ten $500 awards—5 in each—the Junior Division (ages 11-14) and Senior Division (ages 15-18) will be offered to students in the U.S. who identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or Latine whose Contest entries demonstrate notable artistic achievement in their chosen category. 🌍 The Contest is free to enter and open to students worldwide, ages 11-18. Submit by June 9, 2025. Learn more at www.bit.ly/WARPrize Student artists featured: Andrea Fabian, Djahlisa Fenelon, Jessica Lucas, Zack Ramsey, Makani Ross, and Karson Tucker. #art #artist #drawing #artwork #environment #ocean #kidscompetition #WARP #weallriseprize #blackartists #blackkids #blacklivesmatter #wesee #loveislove #oceanart #eco #ecofriendly #blackkids #blackgirlmagic #blackexcellence #latinx #latinxyouth #indigenousyouth #blackyouth #blackteen #blackartists

Bow Seat's Fellow, The Eco Poets team has been hard at work in Kano State! 🌿 They've been making sure climate education reaches every corner of the community through the power of poetry. It's been incredible to watch them take the stage, using their voices to inspire action and awareness about our environment. But their work doesn’t just stop there—they're all about creating connections, whether it's with students, local youth groups, or even orphanages. This quarter, The Eco Poets stepped up their game. They made sure to include everyone in their journey, focusing on different groups and sharing their message of climate action wherever they went. The team has been using social media creatively too! With poetry videos posted regularly, they’re reaching more people than ever and showing that climate education can be both engaging and impactful. It’s been an inspiring ride for The Eco Poets, and it's clear their passion for the planet is only growing stronger. 🌎 They're not just sharing facts; they're telling stories and sparking conversations. Their dedication shows that when you combine creativity with a purpose, you can truly make waves in the fight for a better future. Keep an eye on them 🌟 💼 The Fellowship Grant Program, now redesigned as the True Blue Fellowship, is an initiative of the Bow Seat’s Future Blue Youth Council (FBYC), offering up to $2,500 in grants for youth-led environmental projects. This initiative, created by youth for youth, provides not only funding but also valuable mentorship from the FBYC, an alumni council of Bow Seat. Through this program, young changemakers are supported in their efforts to create lasting environmental impact in their communities. #EcoPoets #ClimateAction #CreativityForChange #BowSeat #FellowshipGrant #TrueBlueFellowship

The judging process for the 2024 Ocean Awareness Contest: Tell Your Climate Story is well underway! Since the contest closed, our dedicated team has been hard at work conducting the preliminary evaluations, reviewing the powerful and creative submissions that poured in from young artists, writers, filmmakers, and activists worldwide. The entries this year have been nothing short of inspiring, showcasing the many ways climate change affects our oceans and communities. Now that the initial review is complete, we are diving into the final stages of the selection process. Our panel of judges is currently engaged in roundtable discussions, carefully deliberating over the top submissions. This collaborative process allows us to bring diverse perspectives into our decision-making, ensuring that we honor the creativity, passion, and impact of each entry. We are excited to be moving closer to selecting the winners, as it’s always a challenging but rewarding experience. We know many of you are eagerly awaiting the results, and we appreciate your patience. We anticipate announcing the winning entries in late November of this year. Stay tuned for this exciting announcement as we celebrate the incredible work of young voices speaking up for our planet! #ClimateAction #Artivism #ClimateArt #Art #StudentArt #OceanAwarenessContest #VisualArt #Poetry #PerformanceArt #Exhibit #Museum #TellYourClimateStory #ClimateStory #SDGs #ClimateChange

🌊 Attention passionate young environmental advocates! Are you a former Bow Seat alum (past participant or fellowship grant recipient) or a participant in our ongoing 2025 Ocean Awareness Contest, aged 16-21? 🎨 The 2025 @future.blue.youth.council is YOUR opportunity to elevate your conservation efforts and be part of a global network of young leaders working tirelessly to protect our planet. 🌟 📆 Applications are open until November 8, 2024! Make your voice count. Visit the link in our bio @fromthebowseat or head to bit.ly/futureblue to learn more and apply today. Graphic designed by Future Blue Youth Council member Shaomin Kee #sustainability #youth #youthpower #youthopportunities #youthactivism #youthadvocacy #climate #climatemergency #climatechange #ocean #oceanconservation

The upcoming US election in November is a critical turning point, not just for the nation but for the world. As one of the largest economies and a key player in global politics, the decisions made by the United States have far-reaching consequences. This 2024 election presents an opportunity to address climate change, environmental degradation, and the pursuit of sustainable policies. Casting a vote for environmentally friendly candidates is not just a political act but a pledge to protect our planet and secure a better future for generations to come. It's vital to be mindful of where candidates stand on environmental issues. Leaders who prioritize green policies, renewable energy, and conservation can influence international climate agreements and set a positive example for other nations. Every vote matters, and collectively, they shape the policies that will determine the health of our ecosystems, air, water, and climate. With the stakes this high, voting is not simply a right; it's a responsibility towards our blue planet. To the young people out there: you might not all have the power to vote yet, but you are far from voiceless. Your generation has been at the forefront of demanding climate action, and your voices have already made waves across the globe. Your advocacy, protests, and relentless push for change remind us all that the decisions made today will shape your future. So, keep speaking up, keep raising awareness, and keep holding leaders accountable. This election is not just about casting votes, it's about building a world that you will inherit. Encourage those around you, your family, friends, neighbors to vote for candidates who will prioritize the environment. Your voice matters, and it has the power to inspire real, meaningful change. Even if you can’t cast a ballot, your influence can guide those who can to make choices that secure a healthier, more sustainable future #ClimateChange #Ocean #ClimateAction #SDGs #Elections #PresidentialElection #2025Election #VotelessNotVoiceless 

🌊 Our 2024 Blue Carbon Ocean and Climate Art Camp has kicked off with incredible energy, bringing together local youth to explore the intersection of art, conservation, and climate justice. By blending creativity with environmental advocacy, the camp is empowering young people to become passionate stewards of their ocean and coastal ecosystems. 🎨 Through collaborative workshops and expert-led sessions, participants are learning how art can be a powerful tool for raising awareness and driving action on critical environmental issues. This initiative is building a strong, connected community dedicated to fostering sustainable development and climate resilience. 🚀 As we look to the future, this is just the beginning! The momentum is building, and we’re excited to see how these young leaders will continue to shape the conversation on blue carbon ecosystems and climate action. The road ahead is bright, and the potential for impactful change is limitless. #OceanConservation #YouthLeadership #ArtForChange #ClimateAction #BlueCarbon #CommunityDevelopment #EnvironmentalArt #ClimateJustice #SustainableFuture #YouthEmpowerment #CreativeActivism