The region’s young marine ambassadors invite their peers to have a little fun during the school holidays, in addition to social responsibility.
The Margaret River Region Conservation Program’s young leaders are coordinating beach cleanups during the school holidays, including at Flinders Bay on July 8 and Ellensbrook Beach on July 11.
The busy bees were developed as part of Nature Conservation’s Marine Youth Program, with young local residents Ruth Szandtner, Bronte Halden, Lili Palmer, Vivi Corteen-Hartley and Riley Hughes forming an initiative called ‘Protect the Tides’.
The five-person group of 12 program members wants to focus on reducing marine debris on local beaches while educating residents about the risks.
Miss Szandtner, who goes to school in Bunbury, has already carried out a beach clean-up with her school.
“Researchers are finding birds whose bellies are completely filled with plastic,” she said.
“When I heard about this, I realized the terrible impact plastic has on our marine life.
“It’s so sad. That’s why I want to do something for the environment, pick up plastic and make a difference.”
Miss Halden said a recent walk on the beach in Augusta left her disturbed when she found large amounts of rubbish washed up.
“We found almost 600 items in one hour in Quarry Bay,” she said.
“You may think that throwing trash away is not such a bad thing, but it can wash up on shore anywhere in the world.”
Miss Palmer urged residents to take personal care of local beaches.
“So many of us are passionate about the ocean and the beach – it’s such a great resource, but not if we destroy it,” she said.
“This is our way of giving back.”
The collected rubbish will be used as part of an education and awareness campaign at Augusta Primary School, where students will create marine-inspired artworks from the rubbish to be exhibited at the Margaret River Heart later this year.
The exhibition will be held as a public art competition, with the winner receiving two free whale watching tickets from Cape Naturaliste Charters.
To register your interest, visit natureconservation.org.au.