Nature Conservation marine ambassador program starts with World Surf League support

A new conservation program funded by the World Surf League has had its first outing, with 20 young marine ambassadors starting their work to help protect the environment.

Nature Conservation Margaret River Region’s youth marine program members took part in a series of workshops and training programs led by experts last weekend.

General manager Drew McKenzie told the Times the packed weekend included topics about marine life, leadership, mental health, Indigenous culture and freediving.

The program is funded by the WSL and Nature Conservation’s partners Line In The Sand and designed to “build a culture of coastal stewardship” among younger residents, especially those with keen interests in the ocean.

Mr McKenzie said the future leaders would play an important role in safeguarding the Margaret River region’s marine environment.

“The coast is a great source of fun and recreation for many of us, but our goal is to inspire locals to be custodians and stewards for the coast too,” he said.

The sessions included work with UWA researchers, the Great Southern Reef Foundation and marine debris group Tangaroa Blue.

“Also on hand was Undalup Association’s Zac Webb, freediving and breath-hold trainer Joe Knight, Margaret River Surf Academy’s Simon Tien, filmmaker Scott Bauer and Millennium Kids Inc youth board chair Bella Poll,” Mr McKenzie said.

The students will next start developing projects to address identified threats in the local marine ecosystem or on the coast itself.