Champion students get power boost
60 Devon students who have been specially selected by their schools and colleges to
work for the region's marine environment have received a significant boost from a
leading energy company.
The Marine Wildlife Champions project was set-up in 2014 by Devon Wildlife Trust. It
brings together children from six schools and colleges in the Plymouth area. Each of
the participating school's select their own Marine Champions - 10 students who then
work with The Trust to help achieve three goals:
* To increase knowledge and understanding of the marine environment and the
challenges it faces.
* To champion marine wildlife and to take the lead in affecting behavioural change
in their own communities.
* To work as a team and present findings to wider audiences.
Now the work of these Champions has been boosted with news of generous funding
support from Western Power Distribution.
At a recent event held at one participating school, Longcause Community Special
School, in Plymouth, Western Power Distribution's Gary Beasley met with the school's
10 Marine Wildlife Champions to learn about their work and tell them the good news.
Gary said:
"Marine conservation is something we can all support no matter how large or small
our contribution we all have an important role to play in protecting the marine
environment. Something as easy as taking home plastic bottles from the beach will
help improve our coastlines! These sessions are informative but fun and I look
forward to seeing the outcome from the individual projects."
As well as meeting Gary, the school's Marine Champions had also gathered to hear
from Devon Wildlife Trust's Marine Awareness Officer Coral Smith about their work
for the coming year. After a presentation from Coral about the main environmental
challenges facing marine life, the Champions voted (with their eyes closed!) for the
issue that they most wanted to concentrate on in the coming months. Facing a choice
between Terrestrial Pollution, Plastic Pollution, Climate Change, Over Fishing and
Protection of the Sea, a quick count established 'Overfishing' as the outright
winner taking 5 out of the 10 votes.
Devon Wildlife Trust Marine Education Officer Coral Smith said:
"We spent a very rewarding morning at Longcause Community Special School, working
with their wonderful Marine Wildlife Champions. The students were presented with the
5 main challenges facing today's marine environment and they have chosen to tackle
the problem of 'Overfishing.' This will be the issue they now concentrate on over
the coming months. I can't wait to see what outcomes they come up with at the end of
the project!"
Coral added:
"Western Power Distribution's support is great news because it ensures that we can
properly resource this work, establishing the importance of the marine environment
to young people. Funding allows us to offer it free of charge to the schools.
Through allowing students to make their own decisions and come up with their own
solutions we aim to produce tomorrow's advocates for more healthy and sustainable
seas."
Pupils (William, left,
and Jack) from Longcause Community School, Plymouth with Gary Beasley of Western
Power Distribution and Coral Smith of Devon Wildlife Trust. Photo copyright Apex/Western Power Distribution (All rights reserved).
