So how does a coastal/ river clean up engagement programme continue to operate during a pandemic lockdown?
Being Ireland’s foremost community-based coastal education programme, Clean Coasts counts on the work of over 900 volunteer groups nationwide, engaging 24,000 volunteers.
But with the country on lock down we’ve been looking at how to keep engagement with our fabulous Clean Coasts groups and volunteers throughout the country. This has been a challenge, but also a great opportunity to look at alternative ways of engaging and educating our community; sharing stories, ideas and in some small way bringing the coast to those who can’t get there at the moment.
So this is some of what we are doing during this time:
· Volunteer chats and interviews – with some of the amazing people driving the Clean Coasts programme in their communities. Keep your eye on www.cleancoasts.org and our social media accounts for details. If you would like to partake in a virtual one-on-one or group chat get in touch with your local Clean Coasts Development Officer, or email Clean Coasts at cleancoasts@eeu.antaisce.org
· Online Clean Coasts Roadshows – we will be featuring talks from specialists over the coming weeks. These talks will feature work and research on various coastal topics. Keep your eye on www.cleancoasts.org and our social media accounts for details.
· Online Coastal Quizzes – Check out Clean Coasts Facebook every Thursday evening at 7.30pm, for a Facebook Live Coastal Quiz. Join us to show off your knowledge and learn about our amazing Irish coastline, heritage, marine life, and much more.
· My2K – we are featuring short videos showcasing people’s 2km stretch. As we can’t travel around our beautiful country right now we are asking people to share their 2km with us, so we can experience each other’s journeys. If you’d like to take a short video/image of your 2km please post on social media, tagging @CleanCoasts on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter.
· This week in celebration of Earth Day Clean Coasts is hosting the Irish premier of the live streaming of “The Story of Plastic”, an incredible new documentary on the plastic industry. Clean Coasts will be screening live this Wednesday night, 22nd April, between 8pm and 9.30pm. This documentary is from the same organisation who brought us the brilliant ‘Story of Stuff’. Places are limited due to licence, so you need to book your tickets via Eventbrite.
Sinead McCoy, Clean Coasts Manager said, ‘As with any organisation at this time, Clean Coasts has to adapt and change. The continued support, engagement and interest from the many Clean Coasts volunteers is outstanding. There is much discussion on future plans, review of projects and previous events, alongside good chats. We always want to hear more from our Clean Coasts community, so if you have any ideas or what to share anything with us, please get in touch.’
