Four of our Ocean Advocates have finished a 124 kilometre walk along the South West Coast Path to raise funds for Ocean Conservation Trust’s seagrass restoration work. Due to generosity from the public, the group are due to hit their target of £3000 as they cross the finish line in Falmouth on Wednesday 16th June!
The group set off on World Ocean Day (8th June) and have named their charity challenge Miles4Meadows. During the nine-day hike from Plymouth to Falmouth, the group have used their social media platforms and just giving site to promote our charity’s seagrass conservation work. Miles 4 Meadows have focussed on seagrass meadows and seagrass planting in the UK due to their love of the habitat and their admiration of the seagrass restoration work carried out at the Ocean Conservation Trust.
Seagrass meadows are one of the most important ecosystems in the Ocean as they provide habitats and food for numerous marine species, capture and store carbon from the atmosphere and improve water quality. Seagrass beds are found throughout the UK, but unfortunately, 90% of the beds have disappeared due to environmental factors with knock-on effects on marine life. Our charity is hoping to change that.
Members of Miles for Meadows said:
“In areas where seagrass meadows have completely disappeared, leaving underwater seascapes barren, we have the opportunity to bring them back. This is exactly what the Ocean Conservation Trust has been doing around Plymouth over the last couple of months, replanting seeds, and seedlings in the seabed, to restore seagrass meadows. By raising awareness about the importance of seagrass and how we can bring back healthy and resilient seagrass beds in the Southwest, we can reverse the trend and re-wild UK waters.”
Ocean Conservation Trust’s Communications Officer, Clare Baranowski said:
“The Ocean Conservation Trust is excited to put the £3000 raised by Miles 4 Meadows to good use within our current seagrass restoration programmes. We’re so proud to be supporting such an amazing group of young people and feel privileged to be their chosen charity.”
If you would like to fundraise for the Ocean by creating your own charitable challenge, we would love to hear your ideas! Until then keep, following the Miles4Meadows journey, donate and supporting our charity!