Presentation for the “Assises Jeunes et Méditerranée” 2009

General Information Ecoocean was first established in 2002 by a group of Israeli scientists that wanted to enhance the public’s interest and understanding of the marine environment and the urgent need for its protection. The organization is a non profit NGO that is supported by donations to achieve its goals.

How to Achieve the Goals Research Enable the Academic establishment in Israel (and overseas) to conduct marine research and teaching programs that have marine environmental aspects. Obtain scientific data and present it to the public Education Establish and implement educational programs for the formal and informal educational systems and by doing so create the impact needed to change public attitudes towards the issues affecting the Marine environment

Research & Academic Courses - Tools Ecooceans main research tool is the R/V “Mediterranean Explorer”. The 21 meter vessel has the following scientific equipment: Water sampler and CTD Mini ROV Grabber Dredger Plankton nets Diving equipment Corer Side scanning sonar Wet and dry laboratories

Examples of A Few Projects the R/V Mediterranean Explorer has been Involved In Memphis- Monitoring Israeli Seashores Nitrogen Fixation in the Eastern Mediterranean Tsunami Study in Caesarea The Black Sea project Eritrea project Study of Cetaceans (Whales and Dolphins) in the East Mediterranean Dynamics of the Deep Water Phytoplankton Populations Kurkar Ridges

Education The following are the two main active educational programs that EcoOcean has chosen to implement in order to achieve its goals: The “Megalim Center” The “Along The Sea” program

188 Km coast High density population

‘Megalim’ Center An Educational Center for the Marine Environment

Daily Visits of Schools

Research Programs For high schools: Biology and Environmental Studies Sandy beach Rocky beach The estuarine environment The open sea

Special Events and Festivals Children’s songs festival Kayak journey ‘rowing for a clean beach’

Environmental Education Program implemented by EcoOcean and The Green Network

School Leader (teacher) Leading Group (25 students) School Community

All students in school Parents Student leadership group Community School principal Leading teacher School teachers Influence Flow Diagram

School teachers Community All students in school Leading teacher The “Along The Sea“ program School Principal Student leadership group Information and Support Diagram

Municipal Networking Meetings of leadership groups from different schools. Seminars and workshops for teachers and principals. A working relationship with the Municipal education and environmental departments. Relationships with other local bodies and organizations that have a connection to the subject. Work towards cooperation and integration between the Arab and Jewish groups and schools in the mixed communities. Children from the leadership group instructing first grade children

Inter-Municipal Networking Green network conferences for all leading teachers National- wide event of all leadership groups

‘Along the Sea’ Program Components Frequencydescriptionactivity Once a week, throughout the school year By the leader teacher: facts about the marine environment, sustainability, explorations of the seaside, labs, environmental dilemmas, preparation of activities for the rest of the school Weekly lessons 1 excursion lead by the Green Network staff person. 2-3 excursions lead by the leader teacher Aims at creating appreciation and connection to the sea. Some excursions focus on seashore clean ups. Excursions to the nearby sea shore Once a year A lecture about the anthropogenic influence on the marine environment Lecture by Ecoocean staff person Once a year Learning about the biotic and a- biotic conditions of the sandy and rocky sea shore, invertebrates lab, ‘clean beach’ insex Visit to Megalim center For the children’s leadership groups

FrequencyDescriptionActivity Once a year Example: Activity in the old city of Akko Emphasizing the history of the city and its multicultural nature. Bringing about meetings of Arabs and Jews, religious and secular leadership groups. Local Leadership Groups Meetings Once a year Example: Meeting with the kayak journey “steering for clear waters” A full day’s activity at the seashore. Meeting with club members, lifeguard, divers and diving gear. Viewing an under-water clean up and discussing the importance of clean shores and seas. Country- wide leadership groups events At least twice a year Examples: 1. School events- lectures and workshops by the leadership group 2. Adoption of a kindergarten- by the leadership group 3. “Give and take” market 4. Marine environment learning center Community activities Once a year Example : Excursion to Achziv natural reserve. Joint parents-students activities

For the leading teachers FrequencyDescriptionActivity 6 times a yearEnhancing the knowledge base of the leading teachers about marine environmental issues seminars Once a year Exchange of ideas and dialogs between teachers, principles, experts and ‘Along the Sea’ mediators. National –wide teachers and principals conference Year round Personal guidance for all teachers participating in the program throughout the year Professional guidance

Conceptual Input and Educational Program Input Ecoocean The Green Network School children visiting a presentation corner created by leadership group with the leading teacher

Financial Base for the “Along the Sea “ Program Ecoocean The Green Network Parents, Schools, Municipality Government grants Leadership group children at a school presentation corner they created

Our vision and belief is that the program can be the beginning of a regional, coastal network of schools that are truly knowledgeable and capable of increasing both awareness and action towards a healthy, lively and sustainable marine environment