Ocean Explorer Academy: That's a wrap - Our year 2022-2023

What a year 2023 has already been in the wonderful world of the Ocean Explorer Academy! 

We have tripled its school reach, taking 96 North Devon secondary school students out of school and immersing them in nature, exploring and learning more about the environment and what we can do to protect it.  

Ocean Explorer students photographing bluebells.

We have delivered 34 sessions and provided over 230 man hours of service to local conservation partner organisations, in the form of pollinator surveys, tree-planting, gorse and bramble clearing, habitat box production and marine egg case collection and survey completion. 

Croyde Bay - Ocean Explorer citizen science in action

What we got up to

Our explorers have beachcombed, waded in rockpools, explored woodlands, seen organic farming in action, caught insects on coastline hilltops, jumped off stand up paddleboards and a few have even been snorkelling with seals at the Lundy Island, the UK’s first Marine Conservation Zone. I know, it sounds like the best fun ever, doesn’t it?! Surely we should be running this for adults too!

Ocean Explorer students exploring at the beach

inspired students

Inspired by the programme, students have independently created upcycling inventions using discarded tent fabric, signed up to ongoing Ocean Explorer webinars and volunteering opportunities, started community litter picking groups in their local neighbourhood, created marine conservation PowerPoint presentations to educate others, joined theatre group workshops to gain experience in speaking out about their passions, signed up to volunteer at Ilfracombe Aquarium, have been awarded special headmaster’s awards for the conservation efforts, signed up to surfing lessons and joined youth working groups that consult with the North Devon Biosphere on future projects. 

Tree planting with the National Trust at Mortehoe Point

Students have got physically, emotionally and intellectually involved and the experience has sparked a passion that will continue to inspire these students well beyond the school-based programme.  We have built a strong legacy, with onward support and experiences in the form of ‘Call of the Ocean’ webinars, family-friendly volunteering opportunities, newsletters and work experience connections.  This programme is not just a series of immersive sessions, it’s a welcome into the PFND family, a welcome into the community of proactive people who care and are taking action to protect our only home. We move forwards together.

Woodwork wonderland, Ocean Explorer students creating habitat camera boxes

Testimonials

And in case you think we might be making all of this up and really it might be rubbish, here’s what the students, parents and teachers have said about Ocean Explorers: 

“My ocean explorer signed up for a week-long theatre group encouraging teenagers to speak out about issues that they care about, because she wants wants to speak up about marine conservation.  She also won the headteachers award this year for her efforts.  I am incredibly proud of her and very grateful to you all.” - Student’s parent

“We don't want to go back to school, we want to stay all day and learn more here.” - Student

“We have so many students who want to attend that we have a waiting list and reserves list” - Teacher of participating school

“Ocean Explorers is really important - it teaches you how to make a difference, gives you loads of opportunities and helps you get into volunteering in nature.” - Student

“It's one of the best choices I have made.” - Student

Seals are very curious and interactive - snorkelling with seals off Lundy Island

Huge, heartfelt thanks to our wonderful conservation partner organisations who have co-delivered sessions as local resident experts, providing our budding conservationists with positive role models and shining a light on the pathway available to them.  Thank you to the North Devon National Trust, Ruda Holiday Park Croyde beach rangers, Braunton Countryside Centre, Milks Up, North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, North Devon Biosphere, Ilfracombe Aquarium, Coastwise, Lundy Diving, Easy Divers and of course our wonderful Plastic Free North Devon volunteers.  And massive thanks to our amazing funders, SWIRE Charitable Trust, Badur Foundation, Turnstyle Designs and Holiday Cottages. All these wonderful people bring so much passion and energy to the programme and we want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts and our oceans.

get involved

If you are inspired and would like to get involved either as a volunteer to help run Ocean Explorer sessions or you would like to see Ocean Explorers in your school, email info@plasticfreenorthdevon.org.

Student snorkelling with seals off Lundy Island