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Plastic Pollution

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Brownsea Island Shore Rangers

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Brownsea Island Shore Rangers

Shore Rangers

There are a number of young adults who can’t access the great outdoors. Some face social or economic challenges, some have learning difficulties and simply don’t get the opportunity. We want to help.

Oceans to Earth have partnered with Dorset Wildlife Trust, National Trust and Jurassic Watersports to open up the great outdoors to every young adult.

Shore Rangers is a kayaking conservation group for ages 16 to 25.

Come to Brownsea by boat before kayaking around its shoreline to enjoy a range of practical marine tasks, surveys and coastal / marine workshops. 

 

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The rangers mission

Our mission is varied… from coastal wildlife surveys & fun workshops to habitat-based tasks to get the blood pumping! Join an inspiring team & learn new skills with our rangers – all while having fun & making a difference. This is a great way to see what conservation is about and a stepping stone to nature-based careers.

 

Want to be a shore ranger?                     

If you’d like to be a Shore Ranger, send an email to jowen@dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk and we’ll pop you on the list.

Download our Shore Rangers Guide and see if becoming a ranger is for you.

DOWNLOAD GUIDE HERE

Want to become a supporter of the shore rangers?

This project relies on the generosity of others. Could you help us continue the project for years to come? Send an email to hello@oceanstoearth.com, or you can donate HERE.

Funded By:

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Supported by:

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Project Partners:

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Brownsea Island Shore Rangers will address key issues including: 

  • accessing the outdoors
  • equal opportunities
  • mental health and wellbeing
  • environmental issues
  • outdoor education

We believe that for an individual to care deeply for the environment, they first have to love it.

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Kevins 630 Mile Walk For Oceans to Earth

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This April Kevin will be walking from Minehead to Poole to raise money for Oceans to Earth. That’s 630 miles!

This April Kevin will be walking from Minehead to Poole to raise money for Oceans to Earth. That’s 630 miles!

The Southwest Coast Path stretches a whopping 630 miles, starting in Minehead, Somerset, and finishing up in Poole, Dorset.

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I have lived locally in Poole all my life and have always enjoyed being in the outdoors both on land and on the sea. I intend to walk the south west coastal path both as a personal challenge and as a means of promoting the outdoors to improve both physical and mental health.

Kevin Diffey

Kevin will be walking solo for a number of months with nothing but a backpack.

He’ll mix it up with a bit of camping, and on those especially hard days (which we’re sure they’ll be a few!) he’ll have a well earned rest in a real bed!

How can you sponsor Kevin?

If you’d like to sponsor Kevins epic walk on JustGiving, CLICK HERE or hit the donate button below. 

DONATE HERE

A huge thank you kevin, you’re an absolute hero!

#Kevins630MileWalk

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A Big Thank You To Oly Rush

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Turlin Moor community clean, October 2020

We want to say a big thank you to Oly Rush

We want to say a big thank you to Oly Rush for his donation to Oceans to Earth, having accomplished (and smashed) his 65 mile swim.

Back in August we gave you the inside scoop on Oly’s swim , and now we want to say a huge thank you for his £2000 donation to Oceans to Earth.

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SWIM IOW

In August 2021, Oly swam the entire coastline of the Isle of Wight to raise money for ourselves, Clean Jurassic Coast and Turn the Tide. 

He managed to smash the previous record of 26 hours, and achieved the swim in just over 15 hours!!

His next challenge will see him take on the Cayman Islands! CLICK HERE to find out more.

Have you seen ‘rush’?

‘Rush’ explores the life and philosophy of super-volunteer Oly Rush, who ditched his 9-5 job for beach cleans and record-breaking swims.

Oly is responsible for removing truckloads of plastic from the Dorset coastline, all whilst training for long-distance swims to raise money for environmental causes.

A film made by The Biome Project.

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We Are Looking For Passionate Volunteers

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Turlin Moor community clean, October 2020

We are looking for passionate volunteers

We have 3 great opportunities open to 3 passionate, environmentally conscious volunteers.

As I’m sure you can appreciate, running a community interest company is just like running any other business, but we do it for the love. 

This brings about a very different working environment. One that’s fun, caring and creative, one where boundaries can be pushed and lasting friendships can be made with like minded people who really do give a… 

If you’d like to be part of something awesome, and have a bit of spare time you can commit to helping your community and the environment, check out the positions we have available below. 

Grants and Funding Lead:

⏰ Not contractual, part time

🌱 Not for profit Community Interest Company

👌 Unpaid, voluntary role

🚀 Home based

🌍 Internet access required

📆 As soon as possible

About the role

We are looking for an enthusiastic and well organised individual to search for and prepare applications for vital grants and funding.

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Events coordinator:

⏰ Not contractual, part time

🌱 Not for profit Community Interest Company

👌 Unpaid, voluntary role

🚀 Some home based and remote working

🌍 Internet access required

📆 As soon as possible

About the role

We are looking for an enthusiastic and well organised individual to plan and host Oceans to Earth events.

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Social Media Coordinator:

⏰ Not contractual, part time

🌱 Not for profit Community Interest Company

👌 Unpaid, voluntary role

🚀 Home based

🌍 Internet access required

📆 As soon as possible

About the role

We are looking for an enthusiastic, organised and social media loving individual to maintain and update our various social media accounts, measure success and liaise with other team members.

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Can't wait to hear from you!

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Borrow Our Litter Picking Equipment

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Borrow our litter picking equipment

We want to provide you with the necessary equipment to host your own litter pick

We’ve shared tips on how to dispose of your beach waste, we’ve also shared tips on how to organise your own litter pick.

If you live within the Bournemouth and Poole area, and want to host your own litter pick but don’t have the necessaries, you can now borrow our litter picking equipment.

If you are outside of this radius, get in touch and we can see how we can help.

The Gear:

  • Adults and kids litter pickers
  • Adults and kids gloves
  • Adults and kids high viz jackets
  • Super cool Beach Clean Bags with straps
  • Bag hoops 
Adult Gear
Adult Gear
Kids Gear
Kids Gear
Borrow Our Litter Picking Equipment
Beach Clean Bags (with carry straps) & Hoops
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All the Gear

Steps to making your litter pick a success:

  1. Choose your location
  2. Seek landowners permission
  3. GET IN TOUCH and we’ll provide you with the equipment
  4. You get your clean on!

It's that easy

All we ask in return is that you promote Oceans to Earth at your clean and give us a mention in any of your socials.

If you would like to use our insurance, please specify this when requesting the kit. Terms apply.

WANT TO BORROW?

GET IN TOUCH HERE

Funded By

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A Really Big Thank You To Parkstone Grammar School!

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Turlin Moor community clean, October 2020

A Really Big Thank You To Parkstone Grammar School!

We want to say a really big thank you to the students at Parkstone Grammar School, for raising a whopping £454.54! We are truly thankful.

Back in June Parkstone Grammar School held a non school uniform day in a bid to raise both awareness, and funds for Oceans to Earth. 

We especially want to thank Katie Parry, Lizzie Sturdy and the schools Environmental Action Team.

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THE ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION TEAM

Dubbed ‘the environmental action team’, a group of students have formed their very own eco group, to raise awareness surrounding the environmental issues we face.

The team host educational talks within the school, perform litter picks and also took part in our recent event, Square Encompassed (in plastic).

They were even brave enough to test out our Bin Boot Camp! A resource designed to help you understand your waste habits, and how you can reduce the amount of waste you produce. 

A huge thank you again to you all, you’re genuinely amazing!

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Square Encompassed (in plastic)

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Turlin Moor community clean, October 2020

Square encompassed (in plastic) – planet purbeck festival

We are bringing the ocean to the square and compass!

This September we will be bringing the ocean to the Square and Compass, as part of the Planet Purbeck Festival. 

Come and join us for a weekend of music, sculpture, projections and more, at one of the Jurassic Coast’s most amazing locations!

We want to spread awareness, educate and spark emotions through a series of instillations made from ocean plastic. Each installation will be created by a variety of people, from artists and sculptors, to schools and community groups. This is an issue we all face, so we need to tackle it together. 

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THE problem with plastic

Ocean plastics are one of the greatest dangers our oceans face. It impacts every single one of us on a profound level. Not only do we need the ocean to provide us with oxygen, to cool our planet, to provide a home for thousands of different species, many people also rely on the ocean to provide them with a source of food. But the plastic in our ocean is now making its way in to our food chain, and as a result, into our bodies.

Event details

When: Friday 24th September until Sunday 26th September 2021

Where: Square and Compass, Worth Matravers, Swanage, BH19 3LF 

Time: 12 noon until 11pm

Tickets: N/A

Access: Wheelchair friendly

If you’d like to get involved and create something awesome to be displayed at the festival, GET IN TOUCH and we can send over further details.

Square and Compass map location:

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Inside Scoop: Oly Rush, Record Breaker, Awareness Creator – Isle of Wight Swim

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What’s it like to waTCH SOMEONE SWIM AROUND THE Isle of Wight?

By Kester Bailey

7:30 am – swim day.

Today, Oly Rush will attempt to break a Guinness World Record for swimming around the Isle of Wight in under 26 hours – and it’s my job getting him to the marina.

I pick Oly up from his at 7:30, he chucks various dry bags into the boot and jumps in the car. We’re also joined by outdoor sports coach – Craig Dooley, one of Oly’s trainers and now a member of his support team.

Conversation is light and cheerful as we trundle down the A31 in my Nissan Micra. I ask Oly if he’s nervous and he says at this point ‘I just want to get in the water.’

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8:55am – Hamble Point Marina

We pull up to the marina not really sure what were looking for, but after driving around for a bit looking lost we find our man… 

Scott Dawson was the last person to swim around the island, setting a record of 26 hours back in 2016.

I interviewed Scott a couple weeks ago and spoke to him about the challenges Oly might face on the swim. It became clear that as well as arranging much of the swim, support yacht and navigator he was willing to share all that he had learnt 5 years prior.

As well as resolving logistical challenges, Scott was able understand the mental strain such a swim can have.

But, perhaps the most insightful thing he told me was, ‘you can’t swim the island without a team.’

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10am – Seaview Yacht Club

After a brisk ride on the rib from Hamble Point Marina to Seaview Yacht Club on North East side of the island we started to see the crowds gather and things began to feel real.

Up to this point it all felt familiar, as if today was just another training exercise in preparation for the actual swim. But no. Today is the day. You could feel it in the air.

The yacht club begins to fill with sponsors, reporters and spectators, all waiting in quiet dis-belief as a man will shorty walk down the steep slip way, plop himself into the water and stay there for what turned out to be just over 15 hours.

But before he does, I take a minute to observe to scene in front of me. It’s busy and exciting. I search for Oly in the mass of people and find him giving an interview to a reporter or it could’ve been a sponsor. It’s hard to tell.

He talks about why he’s taking on the challenge. How his love for the sea, animals and nature is what drives him. How he hopes by pushing himself to the unknown limits of his capabilities he can generate interest on a subject he cares about deeply.

The ‘why?’ is what this is all about. It presents an opportunity to talk about an important issue. The issue of habitat loss, pollution and the role of plastic consumption in our society. 

Oly knows the significance of the swim and a world record attempt. It’s the sort of event that sponsors and news agencies love and it creates a platform from which he can spread awareness on the issue at hand.

Furthermore, this swim will be raising money for charities and community interest companies tackling the plastic problem, including; Clean Jurrasic Coast, Turn The Tide Cornwall and us.

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11am – Start the stop watch

Oly walks down the slip way, raises his arms and turns to the 100 or so people gathered around him. They cheer as he gets into the water.

Their is one last fist pump from Oly as he turns, puts one arm in front of the other, dips his head into the water and is away.

 

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19:52 – Approaching Bembridge

The sun is setting as we see Bembridge life boat station come into view. 9 hours in and it’s looking like Oly will beat the current record if all continues as planned.

Since departing Seaview, we’ve passed through Ryde, Cowes, Yarmouth, Niton, Ventnor, Shanklin and Sandown. Along the way Brian Thompson has captained the Yacht – an experienced veteran in the sailing world and the man with the plan when it comes to tidal planning. A key component of Oly’s success.

Roy Beal – founder of Clean Jurrasic Coast and Oly’s right hand man/navigator, has kayaked thus far the entire distance that Oly has swim and continues to do so until it’s completion. He is also joined by friends of Oly who kayak alongside offering unwavering support and motivation.

Between the yacht and the kayakers Scott bounces about on the rib, relaying information and supplies as he goes.

A well oiled machine springs to mind.

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12:15 –  finishing line in sight

Roughly 13 hours at sea was starting to take its toll and I  can’t talk for Oly – but I was starting to get tired. Not even coffee was helping.

Needing waking up I precariously climbed off the yacht and onto the rib in search of some excitement. We shot off into the darkness to find Oly and the support kayakers, knowing they would be approaching an area of strong tidal currents.

The only light at this point was that offered by the gracious moon, beaming contently looking quite full, and the occasional blink of a lighthouse in the distance, perched on a rocky out cropping.

The tidal planning was correct and as the rib rocked somewhat violently, for the first time during the day I was aware we we’re at the mercy of mother nature. You only had to find the horizon and witness what looked like a wall of water rising in the distance to tell that we were in for a rough ride.

Scott relayed this information to Roy on the kayak who took action and guided Oly confidently through the tumultuous patch water, safety to the other side.

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around 2am – finish

What a feeling coming into Seaview. In the darkness of the night all you could see what the little lights of the houses looking out onto the water. The cumulative point of the experiences made even sweeter by the faint whoops and cheers from the shore line, as some hardy souls stood doggedly determined to see Oly walk up the slip way he had descended only 15 hours earlier.

The water was choppy and I watched as the kayaks struggled to dock on dry land, Oly however kept going. He finds his footing and for the first time since that morning stands up on two feet looking victorious but somewhat oblivious to what he has just accomplished.

Kayakers now on land, people are gathered, family and friends. Oly hugs his mum as the camera crews and reporters bustle and tussle for a sound bite. A young lad hands Oly a beer – maybe not the best post 15 hour swim supplement, but well deserved I think.

As the crowds dissipate and a quietness engulfs the slip way, there is a lovely sense of calm.  A feeling of job well done. I say goodnight to Oly and Tess – his supportive partner, and make my way to the rib so I can catch a ride back to the yacht.

Skimming across the water feeling tired but happy. I can’t help but think this is what it’s all about. People working together for a cause greater than themselves, getting high off a feeling of adventure and helping to educate our fellow humans in the best possible way, leading by example. Money was raised and awareness was spread.

Thank you Oly for conceiving this adventure and letting me be apart of it. I’m sure I can speak for everyone in saying this was an experience I won’t be forgetting anytime soon.

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Inspired?! Message us HERE to find out when our next beach clean is.

Don’t worry you can still donate! Just use this easy link

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Rainbow rock on the Dorset coastline

Plastic rocks! (plastiglomerate)

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Plastic rocks! 

 (plastiglomerate)
A whole rainbow of bizarre colourful rocks are washing up all along our Dorset coastlines. They might look kind of pretty, or in more muted tones, be almost indistinguishable from the surrounding geology. But are they really just another disturbing example of the plastic crisis close to home?

PLASTIGLOMER…WHAT?

Plastiglomerate was first discovered in 2006 on Kamilo Beach, Hawaii. It was here that Oceanographer, Charles Moore discovered and collected samples of porous volcanic rock filled with molten plastic.

Years later, inspired by the photographs of Charles Moores plastic-rock conglomerates, Dr Patricia Corcoran and Professor Kelly Jazvac decided to visit Kamilo Beach and find out more about the mysterious rocks for themselves.

Kamilo Beach, Hawaii

Kamilo Beach, Hawaii

WHY KAMILO?

Kamilo Beach is well known for the vast array of plastics that wash up there. If you look up Kamilo Beach images on any search engine, you’ll be confronted with page upon page of horrifying pictures of plastic-coated beaches.

Being nearly 12km from the nearest paved road, visitors often camp there overnight and burn detritus on the beach to cook and keep warm. The remoteness and difficult access also makes beach clean-up operations rather tricky.

Hawaii and the Great Pacific Garbage Patch

Ocean gyres are huge systems of circular ocean currents, formed by both the Earth’s rotation and global wind patterns. There are 5 major ocean gyres, of which the North pacific subtropical gyre is that largest.

As ocean currents move the water around, waste and debris from the surrounding ocean is drawn into the calm centre of the gyre. Ocean gyres encircle vast areas of calm water, where the lack of movement means waste easily accumulates.

The Hawaiian Islands are located within the North Pacific subtropical gyre (aka the Great Pacific Garbage Patch). Ocean currents move in a clockwise direction here (anti-cyclone), depositing detritus along the eastern and south-eastern shorelines of the Hawaiian islands, which includes Kamilo Beach. It has been estimated that up to 90 per cent of the waste that washes up there is plastic!

Ocean Clean-up project estimated that the garbage patch in the North Pacific now covers over 1.6 million square kilometres! 

WHY ARE THEY ON THE BEACH?

When the two Geologists first noticed the plastic rocks in situ on Kamilo Beach, they assumed that it was the result of nearby volcanoes melting beach waste. However, the geologists soon realised that it was actually human action to blame.

The sand and plastic conglomerate the geologists found were the result of deliberate beach fires. The bonfires had melted the plastic detritus onto the sand and through the porous holes of the island’s volcanic rock, creating a kind of polymer amygdale. 

Corcoran and Jazvac took samples away and analysed them. This new discovery was thereon named ‘plastiglomerate’

Fossils of our future

burning plastic 

These strange, plastic rocks form when plastic melts and becomes stuck to hard organic material like stone, sand, shells and coral. Beach fires like those on Kamilo, waste burning (commonplace until fairly recently in the UK) or natural disasters are all causative factors in the formation of plastiglomerate. 

Plastic that melts into the porous holes of rock (vesicles) is also called a plastic amygdale. The long-term fate of plastiglomerate or plastic amygdale is still unknown. Some scientists and geologists believe these will become the fossils of our age. However, others have suggested that given the right conditions, they could become oil once again. Either way though, they definitely shouldn’t be part of the legacy we leave behind! 

THE LIFE OF A PLASTIC ROCK

  • Plastic is burnt
  • Heats melts it into molten plastic goo
  • Molten plastic goo sticks to sand, stones, shells and other plastic pieces on the beach
  • The plastic cools and hardens
  • Organic material is now trapped within the plastic, creating plastiglomerate
  • Plastiglomerate then becomes buried on the beach or is washed out to sea
  • Wave action wears away at the plastiglomerate, smoothing its surface or breaking it down into smaller pieces called ‘Clastic Plastiglomerate’
  • Heavier pieces, containing more stone and less plastic can then sink to the sea bed, lighter pieces will be more buoyant and float, occasionally sinking and resurfacing
  • Some pieces are thrown out by the sea and deposited on the beach at low tide. These plastic rocks will then either be collected by people, be washed back out to sea at high tide, or become buried.
  • These sunken and buried pieces of plastiglomerate could well end up being the fossils of today

 

NOT JUST KAMILO…COMING TO A BEACH NEAR YOU!

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Plastiglomerate may have been discovered and named in Hawaii, but it’s a global occurrence. The images used in this post show examples of some of the plastiglomerate found along our local Dorset coastline. The rocky beaches along Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, where washed up plastic was burnt until fairly recently is the perfect place to hunt for these rainbow rocks. Like nurdles, once you spot one, you’ll keep finding more! 

  • Have you found any plastic rocks on the beach?
  • What natural material can you identify in it?
  • Can you identify any of the plastic pieces within it?

References

Newer R, June 2014, Future fossils:plastic stone, The New York Times, Viewed 2 June 2021 <Future Fossils: Plastic Stone – The New York Times (nytimes.com)>

Trinastic J, July 2015, Plastic rock: the new anthropogenic marker in the geologic record, Nature Education, viewed 2 June 2021 <Plastic rock: the new anthropogenic marker in the geologic record | Eyes on Environment | Learn Science at Scitable (nature.com)>

Corcoran P L et al, June 2014, An anthropogenic marker horizon in the future rock record, GSA Today, viewed  2 June 2021. <GSA Today – An anthropogenic marker horizon in the future rock record (geosociety.org)>

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Oceans to Earth & AimHi team

Worbarrow Bay, Beach Cleans & AimHi

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Oceans to Earth & AimHi group picture

Worbarrow Bay beach clean with AIMHI

By Kester Bailey

still Half asleep but excited

Around 10:30am on a slightly grey Sunday morning in Tyneham, a number of people begin to arrive in the carpark near the crumbled buildings of the now abandoned seaside village. 

Although still half asleep I’m looking forward to what the day has in store, because today is the day of the Oceans to Earth x AimHi beach clean of Worbarrow Bay.

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Aimhi?

For those who aren’t familiar with AimHi yet here’s a quick run down:

AimHi is the nature-first, curiosity-powered online school on a mission to make world-class live learning accessible to everyone.

You only have to check out the names of some of their guests to understand that these guys know what they’re talking about, featuring; Jane Goodall, Chris Packham, George Monbiot, Jo Jo Metha and Sam Lee.

Producing original and interesting content, AimHi try to provoke curiosity and a desire for discovery in as many people as possible, empower critical thinking, to act on the basis of evidence, and to be wiser and kinder stewards of our biosphere and communities.

AimHi take a progressive approach to e-learning, unafraid to confront big questions that will inevitably need answering in the not so distant future. They provide educational courses and content exploring questions of; carbon, tipping points, simple solutions, soil and the future of food, as well as population, pollution and finding a balance. Asking ‘How do we fix this? Making the impossible possible.’

(All of the above is covered in their ‘Climate and Nature Course’ which is returning September 2021)

AimHi climate course September

Anyway, back to the beach clean

After all the introductions – of which there were many – we grabbed our bags and litter pickers and began the 15 minute walk from the carpark down to Worbarrow Bay. 

People chatted and continued to get to know each other, talking about interests, work and backgrounds. Maybe it’s the fact that we’ve all been stuck inside for so long with little to no social interaction but it was a welcome change to chat openly with a mix of new and like-minded people. Something I’ve definitely missed.

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Calm before the storm (clean)

Reaching the top of the bay we stopped for a quick safety brief before being unleashed onto the unsuspecting rubbish below, clearly quivering with fear at the thought of being properly disposed.

Both the AimHi, Oceans to earth team and volunteers rolled out onto the beach with litter pickers gripped between their teeth looking to get stuck in. It was a sight to behold and one I hope to get used to with so many out in force for the reason of removing pervasive litter and waste. It’s empowering to see strangers unite. 

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What’s the point?

But then, and it’s clear to see that this isn’t just about removing litter and waster from a beach, it’s much more than that. It’s about fulfilling basic human needs of socialising, exercising and learning. 

People chatted and new friendships were forged, facilitated by the fact that everyone present has a common interest in nature and could unite over a common cause in the protection of it. Not to mention the location in which we found ourselves. It’s hard to be moody when you’re surrounded by such tranquil settings.

There was a definite air of curiosity about the day, people from a variety of employment and industry backgrounds shared their insights as everyone present was open to hearing what the next person had to say. I heard conversations about nurdles, fossils and the different types of plant found in the UK from which a fibrous type of rope can be produced. There are apparently 3.

And let me just say, for all the fun and enjoyment taken from the day, it is no walk in park combing a large section of shingled beach back and forth and then having to transport any waste found back to a designated removal point. Anyone looking to get their steps up should definitely come along to the next one!

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Time to head back

Feeling sufficiently tired after hours of chasing down fly away crisp packets, collecting microscopic nurdles and cutting away rope and fishing wire trapped by immovable rocks* (*boulders). It was time once again to scale the path leading back to the carpark, except this time lugging bags of rubbish and walking up a marginally inclined gradient (inclined none the less). Feeling tired but fulfilled we reached the carpark, disposed of our rubbish and set down for a well earned lunch on a wonderfully placed garden bench – just beneath the trees.

Despite a perfect day there was an un-easy silence as the lunch spread was laid out upon hungry eyes, however I think this was more to do with a genuine excitement at the meal to come rather than any ill feeling.

And what a meal it was! I could think of no better way than to end the day with a spread of veg, breads, dips, sweet treats and cheese and marmite pin rolls (yes that is a thing – email for recipe).

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Goodbye for now…

After eating we capped the day off with a group photo and after some long farewells we said good bye to one another and departed – promising this would be the first of many.

So that my friends is how the Oceans to Earth x AimHi beach clean went. What we did that day probably won’t reverberate around the world and induce mass social and environmental change but in the little pocket of land down on Worbarrow Bay, just off Tyneham you could really feel the love. Which as I would argue is one of the most powerful and transformative forces of all.

Oceans to Earth & AimHi team

 

Interested in what AimHi offer? Click here for the full range of services!

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