Georgia Strait Alliance’s Post

🌊🐟 The The Wildlife Trusts National Marine Week 2024 kicks off this weekend! 🐬🦀 Here Sea-Changers we love any occasion to celebrate all things marine related, so this two week spectacular dedicated to our precious marine life is a big deal! National Marine Week is a fantastic opportunity to connect with the incredible diversity of our seas and take action to protect these vital ecosystems. Here are our top 5 reasons to get involved: 1. Protect Biodiversity: Our oceans are home to an astonishing array of species. By participating in Marine Week, you help raise awareness and support conservation efforts to protect this rich biodiversity. 2. Learn and Discover: National Marine Week offers a chance to learn about the fascinating marine creatures and habitats that make up our coastal and ocean environments. From rockpooling to guided walks, there’s so much to explore! 3. Support Local Conservation: Many events during Marine Week are organized by local Wildlife Trusts, providing you with the opportunity to support conservation efforts right in your community. Your involvement can make a big difference locally and globally. 4. Engage with Your Community: Marine Week events are a great way to meet like-minded individuals who are passionate about the ocean. Whether you’re participating in a beach clean-up or attending a marine life talk, you’ll be part of a vibrant and supportive community. 5. Inspire Future Generations: By getting involved, you can inspire children and young people to appreciate and protect marine environments. Your enthusiasm and actions can spark a lifelong love for the ocean in the next generation. Throughout the National Marine Week we are going to be highlighting some of the fantastic projects we've been fortunate enough to fund, all thanks to our supportive brand partners like Sea Change Wine. Let’s all really get behind National Marine Week and show our support for the incredible marine life that surrounds us here in the UK. #NationalMarineWeek #WildlifeTrusts #MarineConservation

Ní neart go cur le chéile - there’s no strength without unity. Míle buíochas to Josephine ODriscoll, Don Colbert and the Fáilte Ireland Wild Atlantic Way team for organising the networking event yesterday The Maritime Hotel, and for inviting Manchan Magan along to share his experience with us. Such a well-run event, meeting with businesses from Kinsale to Kenmare, and everywhere in between. We are all passionate about what we do and where we live, and love to share this part of the Wild Atlantic Way with visitors, be they from Ireland or overseas. By finding out what other businesses in the area offer, we can promote each other too. We’re not competitors, we’re collaborators. We all call this area our home, we’re trying to make a living here, and trying to keep our communities vibrant, full of interesting places to go and things to do, people to meet and food to eat/drink. The Wild Atlantic Way Regional Tourism Development Five Year Strategy talks about “ensuring that ‘wildness’ remains at the core of the Wild Atlantic Way across all brand activity.” How wild is wild though? There is very little real wildness in Ireland anymore. Wildlife numbers have dropped dramatically, lots of land has been cleared to make way for monoculture pastures, wetlands have been drained and the hillsides are burnt off, overgrazed, or planted with monoculture conifers. Shifting baseline syndrome means that people think that what they see today is normal, but we’ve lost so much in the last fifty years or so, that it’s far from the rich, diverse Ireland of the 1960s. When did you last hear Corncrake, Curlew or Lapwing calling from their breeding grounds? Or see a Hedgehog? Where’s your nearest natural wild meadow? So, let’s all work together to make Ireland wilder, more biodiverse and a really awe-inspiring place to be for visitors and locals alike. Nature is Home after all. 💚 (Photo from Fáilte Ireland) #KeepDiscovering #WildAtlanticWay #WildAtlanticWayCork #Networking #Bantry #FáilteIreland #DiscoverIreland #CommunityFirst #IrishArtist #IrishCommunity #SmallIrishBusinesses #WildIreland #PureCork #IrishExperience #GreenSketching #GreenSketchingIreland

🌿✨ Exciting times ahead for nature enthusiasts and fitness aficionados alike! The Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, an ecological treasure, might soon play host to a series of outdoor activities that promise adventure and serenity in equal measure. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering a fresh wave of recreational engagement in the form of competitive running races, bike races, and birding events within the scenic confines of the refuge. If passed, the initiative will bridge the gap between promoting health, fostering conservation awareness, and delivering an immersive outdoor experience. With a mindful approach to protecting the wildlife and habitat, these events will be curated with utmost care, ensuring minimal impact on the environment while maximizing the visitor experience. Imagine racing through nature's corridor or spotting rare birds in their natural habitat - all part of an effort to encourage stewardship and participation in the wonders of wildlife conservation. This novel blend of ecology and recreation draws a new roadmap for national refuges everywhere. Gatherings like winter running, biking races, and year-round birding cups will cater to both individuals seeking a thrill and those yearning for tranquility. If you cherish nature's majesty and believe in sustainable enjoyment of our natural reserves, your voice matters. Your input could help turn this conscientious dream into reality for the Back Bay NWR. Join this beautiful convergence of nature conservation and outdoor recreation - let's ensure that the experiences we create today respect and celebrate the environment tomorrow. 📅 Submission Deadline: January 16, 2024 📢 Share your opinions, support the proposal, and become a part of this inspiring initiative paving the way for nature-responsive, heart-racing events! #BackBayNWR #WildlifeConservation #OutdoorEvents #SustainableRecreation #NatureLovers #FitnessAndNature #Birding #EcoTourism #PublicInput #ConservationAwareness #RefugeActivities #ConnectWithNature https://ayr.app/l/564v

South Padre Island listed among 7 most charming towns on the gulf The town faced competition from states like Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Florida. South Padre Island was listed as one of World Atlas' 7 Most Charming Towns on the Gulf Coast. The South Texas coast was acclaimed for its literal island's worth of activities, surrounding local culture and natural features. The island offers classic beach activities like swimming, fishing and water sports. South Padre Island's Adventure Park offers horseback rides on the beach, zip lines and parasailing. While South Padre Island mostly hosts "mellowed crowds," the region is a leading party destination for college students during spring break. To avoid the crowds, it is recommended to visit anytime outside of March. "With reduced prices and mellowed crowds for the remainder of the year, South Padre Island is a relaxing oasis of sunshine and sand," the ranking wrote. Outside of its tourist attractions, life on this coast is also heavily influenced by its conserved habitats. It is the longest undeveloped barrier island in the world, with 16 wildlife species with federal or state conservation status, according to the Nature Conservatory. https://lnkd.in/g5CdGTvB

📣Leave No Trace Ireland has updated its programme for responsible and ethical use of the countryside. 📣 The revised guidance provides greater clarity for people availing of the outdoors, including on matters such as seeking permission to access land, responsible dog ownership and protecting nature from fires. The process of collaboration and engagement with stakeholders, including State agencies, local authorities, Government departments, recreational, tourism and farming interest bodies has been hugely important. The Leave No Trace principles are the guidance and educational foundation upon which responsible recreation has been promoted in Ireland. However, we need to ensure are kept under review to reflect changes in recreational activity, the increased vulnerability of the natural environment, and developments such as the exponential increase in dog ownership. https://lnkd.in/eRGJTQk6

I never fail to be proud of being a Trustee of the THE RADNORSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED We're tiny but mighty. Actually we're tiny but b*llsy too. Important difference. And because Boards hold the purse strings and the Comms and Engagement policies, Board calibre is essential to success. Our Chair Sue Holden leads an exceptionally well run Board - where we efficiently dot i's and cross t's instead of wasting time unpicking poorly made decisions. Speed over haste wins the race every time. We work with anyone who wants to work with us and uphold our values. We don't waste time trying to convert everyone or progress at the pace of the slowest or most recalcitrant. We'll have a coffee with anyone and everyone. But our priorities and our values are our own - they aren't for sale. I know that many Wildlife Trust leadership staff around the country know what needs to be done. And it isn't keeping quiet. More Trust Boards must become expert Trustees and learn how to expertly delegate operational decisions to the expert and experienced staff they hired. We all have our roles to play. We have bags of talent around the UK network, staff and Trustees. But like gifted footballers, can we work together in our separate roles as gifted teams scoring goals for wildlife and standing up against the forces ranged against it? Not easy.

(AL) The Kilcoole Little Tern colony is by far the largest Little Tern colony in Ireland, having grown from fewer than 20 nesting pairs in the 1980s to 274 pairs in 2024! But what is behind the success of this project? And what have we learned about this species, and conservation in general, over the decades? Find out in this Q and A with Manager of the Kilcoole Little Tern Project, Brian Burke! https://lnkd.in/eapMFQah

The Largest National Parks in the United States of America: Natural Treasures of the USA National parks in the United States stand as testament to the country’s commitment to preserving its natural heritage and providing spaces for recreation and conservation. From the towering peaks of the Rockies to the vast expanses of desert, the United States has an impressive collection of national parks that meet different interests and offer breathtaking landscapes. In this article we’ll explores the largest national parks in the United States, each offering its own special mix of natural wonders and outdoor adventures. https://lnkd.in/dEcw8ccg

🌿🌊 A Landmark Example of the Rights of Nature in Practice 🐢🇵🇦 Panama has taken a significant step forward in environmental conservation by creating the Saboga Wildlife Refuge through Ministerial Resolution No. 0123. This new refuge spans almost 83 km², protecting critical habitats for sea turtles, 41 bird species, including the blue-footed booby, and vital migration routes for elasmobranchs like whale sharks and cetaceans such as humpback and Bryde's whales. This initiative is a shining example of the Rights of Nature in practice. The refuge's creation involved extensive public consultation, with solid support from the local community of Saboga. This collaboration between the community, NGOs, and state institutions exemplifies how visionary efforts can protect endangered species and their habitats. Callie Veelenturf, a National Geographic explorer and director of The Leatherback Project, highlighted that this is the first proactive nationwide implementation of Law 287, which recognises the Rights of Nature in Panama. This action demonstrates a profound respect for the intrinsic rights of nature, showcasing the importance of creating protected areas to ensure the healthy functioning of ecosystems and promoting harmony with nature. Let's celebrate this milestone and continue to advocate for the Rights of Nature globally! 🌍✨ #Conservation #RightsofNature #Biodiversity #WildlifeProtection #Panama #SeaTurtles #Sustainability #EnvironmentalJustice

🌟 Interactive Travel Challenge: Share Your Impact Moments! 🌍✨ We believe that travel is more than just a getaway—it's an opportunity to create meaningful impact moments. We'd love to hear about your most memorable travel experiences that made a difference! 🤔 Tell Us: What's the most impactful moment you've had while traveling? 🌱 Volunteering: Did you contribute to a local conservation project or community initiative? 🐾 Wildlife Encounters: Have you witnessed or participated in wildlife protection efforts? 🌍 Cultural Connections: Did you engage with a local community in a way that left a lasting impression? 🔗 How to Participate: Share your story or experience in the comments below. Include/send a photo if you have one! 📸 Use the hashtag #ImpactMomentsWithMyTravel4ever and tag us for a chance to be featured on our page!