Hebridean marine charity inspires 10,000 pupils to protect oceans
Youngsters from Lochaber and Skye are among 10,000 school children who have now taken part in educational programmes run by conservation charity the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust.
The trust has been inspiring children to cherish their marine environment for more than 15 years, with more than 200 schools having taken part since 2005.
Pippa Garrard, the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust’s education manager, said: ‘Connecting young people to their marine environment is crucial if we want them to help protect it. It’s so heartening to experience the children’s energy, enthusiasm and awe when learning about whales and dolphins.
‘Our sessions are so important as they spark passion and interest in the local environment and encourage conversations about the actions that we can all take to help protect it, now and in the future.’
Players of People’s Postcode Lottery have supported the charity, raising £80,000 since 2017 to support the development and delivery of new and immersive learning experiences that bring the marine environment to life for children in coastal communities.
The trust’s latest creative project – funded by People’s Postcode Trust and SeaChangers – has been to launch the best of their education sessions online, working with schools and home educators across Scotland and England.
Prior to the pandemic, every year school groups would join the charity’s crew onboard the research vessel, Silurian, as she was temporarily transformed into a floating classroom.
‘My daughter, age 10, loved visiting your boat. Since her trip, she has been researching marine biology and has decided she wants to go to university in Glasgow to study this,’ said a parent of a pupil at Mallaig Primary School.
Raising awareness and aspirations for green careers features at the centre of the charity’s education strategy.
Each year the trust runs dedicated research expeditions for 16- and 17-year-olds on board Silurian.
These young adults gain hands-on experience monitoring marine life, including collecting data as part of the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust long-term citizen science project which informs local and national conservation efforts.
Anyone can help the charity monitor marine life, by reporting their sightings of cetaceans – the collective name for whales, dolphins and porpoises – and basking sharks online.
The trust also offers guided field trips for schools, so younger children can take part on land.
‘Local wildlife is not only amazing to see, but each species also has an important biological role to play,’ said Pippa Garrard.
‘By protecting whales and giving marine ecosystems the chance to recover, we can improve the health and resilience of our seas and in turn the climate and planet for us all.’
For more details about the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, visit hwdt.org.