Take Action - Oceans Day 2006

Intro | Create a Watershed Display - 1 | Create a Watershed Display - 2 | Water — From the Mountains to the Seas 1 |
Water — From the Mountains to the Seas 2 | Habitat Snapshots | Human Threats From Near and Far | Take Action!
| Resources for Your Displays | Curriculum Links | Watershed Illustration | Canada’s Watersheds Map |
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Take Action!

Help keep shoreline and coastal habitats healthy by following this Ocean Action Chart. Remember, water from your watershed will one day empty into the ocean.

Raise awareness: Include one or more of the following issues in a locker, hallway or electronic display to spread awareness at your school.
Do a Blue School project: Take action by doing a Blue School project to protect shorelines or coastal areas in your watershed.

Ocean Action Chart

Help Reduce These Types of Activities	What You Can Do if You Live Far From the Coast	What You Can Do if You Live Near the Coast
Coastal or shoreline developments: • Filling wetlands • Dredging for boat access • Building piers and breakwalls • Building homes and resorts	• Support shoreline restoration projects. • Do a Blue School project to restore a local shoreline and raise awareness about the value of wetlands.	• Do a Blue School project to restore a local coastal area. • Raise awareness by supporting coastal restoration projects.
Overuse of shores: • Soil compaction • Vegetation damage • Wildlife disruption	• Do a Blue School project to replant vegetation along a local shoreline where it has been removed and to raise awareness on how to reduce shoreline damage. • Take care when using shorelines.	• Do a Blue School project to educate others about treading lightly on seashores, walking on designated trails, avoiding sensitive areas with ATVs and bikes, and avoiding beaches when birds are nesting and feeding.
Overharvest of marine species	• Raise awareness about the issues with politicians.	• Avoid overharvesting any species of plant or animal.
Global climate change • Changing water levels • Changing water temperatures	• Do a Blue School project to encourage using active transportation such as walking or cycling, turning off lights, and reducing, reusing and recycling.	• Do a Blue School project to encourage using active transportation such as walking or cycling, turning off lights, and reducing, reusing and recycling.
Oil spills	• Do a Blue School project about using less energy to reduce demand for oil.	• Do a Blue School project about taking care with oil products near water. • Help clean up when spills occur.
Garbage and litter	• Do a Blue School project to stop littering along your local shoreline.	• Do a Blue School ”beach cleanup“ project and place garbage cans in spots where litter is a problem.
Chemical pollution	• Do a Blue School project on how to dispose of chemicals and their containers properly, and on the benefits of using environmentally friendly products.	• Do a Blue School project on how to dispose of chemicals and their containers properly, and on the benefits of using environmentally friendly products.
Sewage pollution	• Ensure your septic system is working properly. • Press local politicians for action if your town is not treating sewage properly.	• Ensure your septic system is working properly. • Press local politicians for action if your town is not treating sewage properly.

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