Ed the Bear helps out with National Whale and Dolphin Watch

The display table also included some pictures from Ed the Bears adventures, an education project - One World One Ocean. The aim of the project is to raise awareness of global ocean issues and celebrate the fascinating wildlife around the world and on our own doorstep.

The display focused  especially on sea mammal related pictures such as meeting a bottlenose dolphin at Florida Keys Dolphin Research Centre and humpback whale watching in Hawaii. There were also some pictures to do with conservation issues too, Ed helping at an oil spill and cleaning up beach litter. This allowed Ed to promote his message about One World One Ocean.

Ed also took part in the manned watch at Shoreham, newly arrived back from his tour of the USA. He was a little disappointed that he did not see any sea mammals during the watch –especially after his experiences in the US, but he was pleased to help out, as Shoreham is his local beach. Ed’s return to the UK has been delayed due to the terrible oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. He had originally planned to visit some of the UK watch sites during National Whale and Dolphin Watch (NWDW). You can find out more about his USA adventures on http://adventuresofedthebear.blogspot.com/

Ed’s sister Bella, who has helped Ed out in the past, has travelled up to New Quay to help out with NWDW in his place.

Adur World Oceans Day.

Its June and time for the annual World Oceans Day Event. The same great location as always on Coronation Green at the end of the high street and adjacent to the river Adur in Shoreham-by Sea.

As usual a great mix of stands from local groups and organisations. Shoreham Beach Local nature Reserve was represented by the Friends of Shoreham Beach with a fascinating and informative display stand about the rare vegetated shingle habitat and associated wildlife.

The stand display also included marine litter and a children's colouring activity.

The local rangers brought along their fascinating tactile display about the seashore strandline and long term experts on vegetated shingle David Wood and his wife had a display about this habitat and also the local saline lagoon "Wide Water". The local Shoreham Angling Squad. who voluntarily clear up the western arm of the harbour. also had a display. 

Andy Horton from British Marine Study Society (and co-organiser of the event) had the usual aquarium displays and a pool with lobsters and edible crabs.

As usual I took along my display based around the life sized inflatable bottlenose dolphin (species seen locally) which included biological information and pictures and facts about local sea mammal sightings.

This year I also took along a new display, One World One Ocean - The Adventures of Ed the Bear. This is a project that highlights threats to the ocean and also celebrates the diversity of wildlife globally and also locally.

This is done through the global adventures of the globe trotting Ed (a teddy bear) who reports back his experiences via a weblog. Ed also visits UK schools and events.

You can find out more about this project on http://adventuresofedthebear.blogspot.com/

The display included objects from Ed's travels and his journal. 

The display also include a demonstration about acid oceans using clear vinegar and a seashell.

I took the opportunity to make Ed's appearance at World Oceans Day part of his ongoing story and so I photographed his with many of the exhibits, a couple of examples below.

As usual the event was very popular and attracted a lot of interest.