Our Ocean Future - Community Workshop

THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO SHAPE THE FUTURE OF OUR OCEAN. 

We have an opportunity to influence real ocean policy.

And we need the people who know, love and work on our ocean to help make it happen.

Join local ocean organisations, businesses, scientists, community leaders and ocean lovers for an evening of action at this change-making workshop.

This is an opportunity to have a genuine say in what happens next.

Thursday, September 24 · 6 - 8 PM · Patagonia, Byron Bay, NSW

FREE EVENT · RSVP ESSENTIAL

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What To Expect

A hands-on workshop bringing the local community together to connect, learn and take action for our ocean.

We’ll explore what marine protection looks like locally and beyond, and how our community can help shape the future of these places, from the global goal of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030 to current state and federal processes.

Most importantly, you’ll have the chance to do something: write submissions and letters to protect NSW inshore and offshore marine environment.

The two-hour session connects local stories with three immediate actions: adding a personal message to a 30x30 letter to the NSW Premier, sharing a valued place through the Protect Your Patch campaign to share with politicians, and developing submission points for NSW’s offshore Temperate East Marine Parks Network Review, a real opportunity to reach 30% for our marine waters.

Come along, meet other people who care about our ocean, and help turn that passion into action.

What's Included

• Patagonia will kindly be providing snacks & drinks

• Lucky Door Prize - since we think that giving up your time to learn about & protect the ocean deserves to be rewarded, everyone who comes along on the night has a chance to win some awesome prizes including an eco-pack from Dolphin Research Australia | Ocean Education & Conservation, reusable RIPL drink bottles, and some Patagonia merch!

• There will be presentations from local dolphin researcher Dr. Liz Hawkins, conservationist Dailan Pugh and James Sherwood from AMCS to learn about our local marine park, offshore marine protection, current protection gaps and the importance of representative sanctuary protection and ecological connectivity

• Collaborative workshop to help you be part of state and federal decision-making processes by communicating your concerns and desires to the relevant political decision makers

What To Bring

• A laptop or notebook and a phone. 

• One or two photos of a local ocean, beach, river or coastal place you love or want to see protected (can be on your phone)   

Why?

Right now, decisions are being made about how we protect our ocean, from the places we live and work to the wider waters beyond our coast.

The government has committed to protecting 30% of our ocean by 2030, and we need to be part of ensuring this landmark move includes comprehensive, adequate and representative frameworks (aka, protects the right places) to make sure it has the biggest impact possible.

Currently there's also a once-in-a-decade chance to inform our offshore marine protection too - the Temperate East Marine Parks Network Review - that's open until the end of September. This process is incredibly important, has the potential to make a huge difference, and is open to feedback from all Australians.

This community workshop is a chance to get a better understanding of the current situation for marine protection and take action to help inform future government policies, by providing the knowledge and the tools to get involved.

So whether you want to turn your ocean passion into action, learn more about marine protection, be part of the ocean community or just win a sweet prize, come and join us on September 24.