Press Release - for immediate release Tuesday 22 July 2014

Start planning for Seaweek 2015

The New Zealand Association for Environment Education is delighted to announce the dates and theme for its flagship event Seaweek for 2015.

NZAEE Seaweek 2015 will take place from Saturday 28 February to Sunday 8 March 2015.

The theme will be “Look beneath the surface - Papatai ō roto - Papatai ō raro” highlighting how precious this amazing resource is that we call the sea and how much we can learn from studying its wonders.

Seaweek 2015 will call on Kiwis from all walks of life to celebrate Tangaroa’s realm, tackle issues such as marine pollution and learn about the positive impacts of initiatives such as sustainable fishing and marine reserves to look after our seas for future generations. We all contribute to taking care of our oceans.

Seaweek 2015 is once again supported by ASB Community Trust, Department of Conservation, NZ Marine Studies Centre, University of Otago, Auckland Council, the DSP Print Group Ltd and many local sponsors.

New sponsor the New Zealand Coastal Society will again provide prize money for the winning Seaweek Ocean Champion for 2015.

NZAEE Board Member and Seaweek Programme Manager, Pam Crisp says:

“This shows that our sponsors can see benefit in the educational outcomes we’re achieving from having an annual focus on the issues affecting the oceans and ways that communities and schools can get involved.”

“It’s wonderful that we’re now able to plan early to grow the event and engage more people in this fun and informative week about the sea. Many thanks to our supporters for their continued commitment to Seaweek.”

NZAEE Seaweek’s website is at www.seaweek.org.nz and later this year you will be able to nominate and vote for the 2015 “Ocean Champion” to celebrate all those individuals, groups and organizations who work so hard to look after our seas and the marine life that lives in them.

Seaweek 2015 will provide more great opportunities to get children involved in citizen science and there will be preparation workshops for teachers organised in November in Auckland. The ‘Marine Metre Squared’ project, overseen by the NZ Marine Studies Centre, encourages schools, families, communities and iwi to get involved in collecting valuable data and monitoring their local seashore environment. Data entered into the MM2 website at www.mm2.net.nz is being used to help scientists improve coastal management.

More information on both initiatives is on our website at www.seaweek.org.nz

Many events will be scheduled around the country during Seaweek 2015, including favourites such as ‘Farewell to the Godwits’ bird watching, clean-ups, adventure races, films, lectures and guided snorkeling trips. If you are interested in organising an event contact the Seaweek Regional Coordinator for your area to discuss how they can support you. Their contact details are available on the Seaweek website.

The Seaweek team would love to hear what your school or group is doing to explore this year’s theme of “Look beneath the surface - Papatai ō roto - Papatai ō raro” and help you with publicity and resources. Please let National Coordinator, Mels Barton know your ideas and plans on mels@subliminal.co.nz

ENDS

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