New ONCCEE partnership works to expand World Oceans Day

World Oceans Day Canada (WODC) is a non-profit national organization dedicated to "improving the state of the environment by educating, motivating and helping individual Canadians to take positive environmental action.”

In particular the organization is encouraging cities from across the country to recognize World Oceans Day and assisting educators to teach ocean concepts in class through the Ocean Hero program. 

As one of 23 cities in BC, Mayor Dean Fortin of Victoria signed the WODC’s Cities in Action agreement, recognizing June 8th as the official day to celebrate the ocean.

This past June, Ocean Networks Canada (in partnership with the Maritime Museum of BC) spearheaded a World Oceans Day event in Victoria and looks forward to working alongside WODC and the city next year to encourage the general public to increase their ocean literacy.

In July, ONCCEE met with WODC and realized we had much in common. The result was a partnership between ONC and WODC, collaborating on educational initiatives and increasing awareness of the annual June 8th global celebration. K-12 Education Developer, Natasha Ewing, will be representing Ocean Networks Canada on the WODC’s steering committee, which consists of marine enthusiasts from Canadian cities coast-to-coast. “I’m excited to take part in conversations with like-minded individuals across the country.” says Natasha. “We’ll be brainstorming new ways to encourage Canadians to participate in World Oceans Day, while increasing their awareness about our integral relationship with the ocean.”

For more information about WODC please visit their new website. And if you have questions about Ocean Network Canada's educational initiatives and World Oceans Day events, contact Natasha Ewing.