Getting Ready for World Oceans Day

World Oceans Day on June 8 is a global holiday of ocean celebration. Sailors for the Sea, the organization that unites boaters to protect the ocean, provides the following suggestions to embrace on World Oceans Day.

Skip the Straw
Did you know that 500 million straws are used in the United States every day! These ubiquitous, un-recyclable items are also on the top 10 list for the International Coastal Cleanup year after year. But what can boaters do?

Sailors for the Sea has launched a challenge to get regattas, yacht clubs, and marinas around the country to switch to straws by request only. By only handing out straws when people ask for them restaurants and bars can greatly reduce their trash and impact on the ocean. Better yet, since so many yacht clubs and marinas are on waterways that lead to the ocean, joining the skip the straw club means you’re helping keep them off beaches.

Sailors for the Sea found that the best way to get venues to switch to straws by request only is to have repeat patrons ask. So they made a sign that you can easily print out, take to your favorite watering hole – and just like that, you’re a sea turtle’s hero! Get your sign at: http://sailorsforthesea.org/join-our-crew

Talking Trash
As many sailors know, our oceans, lakes, rivers, and coasts are littered with plastic. In fact, 8 million metric tons of plastic enters the ocean from land every year. That’s enough to cover every coastline on earth and is equal to 1.5 million cars. Plastic pollution also creates 13 billion dollars of damage to marine ecosystems in the U.S. alone.

BUT don’t get overwhelmed by the statistics. There is a way you can help fix this mess. Sign up to join Sailors for the Sea and be the solution to plastic pollution! http://sailorsforthesea.org/plastic-pollution

Kids Environmental Lesson Plans
Prepare for those no wind summer days by signing up for Sailors for the Sea’s KELP program. Their FREE marine science lesson plans are made with sailing instructors in mind. They are simple to teach and only require simple materials that can usually be found at your local store.

Designed for ages 6-16, the program has over 40 lesson plans, and 9 topics ranging from living underwater to the chemistry of the sea. You’re sure to have a great time teaching and who knows, maybe you’ll learn a thing or two! Register to download lesson plans: http://sailorsforthesea.org/programs/kelp/register-download