Record Number of Aquariums, Zoos, and Museums to Host Celebrations for World Oceans Day on June 8th
PROVIDENCE, R.I., June 1, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — On June 8th communities around the globe will celebrate World Oceans Day as an opportunity to learn more about our ocean and take action to help conserve it. This year the celebration is bigger than ever with hundreds of family-friendly events at aquariums, zoos, museums, exciting online events, and strong prospects for a new youth movement to protect the ocean!
“A record number of aquariums, zoos, and museums are providing ways on World Oceans Day for their visitors to get inspired and take personal action to help our world’s ocean,” said Bill Mott, director of The Ocean Project. World Oceans Day provides an opportunity for people across the country and around the world to celebrate our ocean connections, do more for ocean conservation, and learn more about our ocean!”
World Oceans Day coordinator, Alyssa Isakower, commented, “The worldwide response has been more enthusiastic than ever. June 8th provides a chance for the world to rally for a generation of ocean advocates who go beyond raising awareness and take real action for ocean protection.”
Under the theme, “Youth: the Next Wave for Change,” many events will focus on inspiring the younger generations. Public opinion research by The Ocean Project supports this emphasis, finding that youth and young adults:
- Express more interest and concern about the health of the ocean, and the problems of pollution, overfishing and climate change
- Look to aquariums, zoos, and science centers for ways they can be part of the solution
- Have a higher belief in their own ability to make a difference
- Are recognized by their parents as better informed on ocean and environmental issues
New and exciting happenings:
- Hundreds of events planned: Already over 250 events are listed from dozens of countries, with several hundred more expected.
- Dr. Seuss teams up with World Oceans Day: More than 100 institutions are planning Dr. Seuss-themed events!
People taking action around our blue planet:
- Youth in action in Arcata, CA: Friends of the Dunes celebrates their 8th straight WOD! 1,000 students will conduct a beach cleanup and invasive plant removal and then will create an aerial art design, with a plane capturing the image.
For free images of the ocean or other related materials, please contact Alyssa Isakower, WOD Coordinator. The World Oceans Day website has downloadable logos, posters, and other graphics, a continually updated events list, and more:
The Ocean Project advances ocean conservation in partnership with informal science education centers around the world. Its global network includes over 1,500 partner aquariums, zoos, science museums, and other educational organizations that serve hundreds of millions of visitors each year. The Ocean Project is the lead entity for promoting World Oceans Day. More about The Ocean Project can be found at: www.TheOceanProject.org.
SOURCE The Ocean Project