New Year, New Adventures
It’s that time of year again – when everyone looks back on their year and sees all that they have accomplished or all that they still have to accomplish. Either way, the New Year is the perfect time for new ideas, goals, and adventures. Here at LMC, our goal is to make people more aware and involved in protecting our world’s oceans. Wondering how you can get involved? Here are some of our favorite ways for you to go blue, and create a new you!
Get Involved!
There is no better way to learn than through experience. If you are interested in the world’s oceans and wildlife in them, get involved with your local conservation organization. No matter what age you are, there are activities for everyone! At LMC, we offer summer camps, volunteer positions, and internships. We know that everyone has busy schedules, but getting involved is very rewarding and offers unique experiences. Volunteering allows you to meet new people and connect with your community on a deeper level and allows you to share your new-found knowledge with everyone.
Explore
Even if you aren’t the adventurous type, it’s always a good idea to go outside! When people think of adventure, they often think of traveling to far off places, but we often forget the beauty in our own backyards. Living in South Florida, we have a myriad of activities that allow you to learn about the ocean. Whether you go snorkeling, scuba diving or swimming, having the ocean so close gives us the unique opportunity to see the oceans wildlife up close, while promoting healthy lifestyles too!
Pick Up Trash
If you are exploring Florida beaches, one easy thing to do to protect our oceans is to pick up trash. One of the most common reasons we have sea turtles in our hospital is because of the trash they eat (mistaking it for food). Along with sea turtles, trash is also harmful to birds and other wildlife. By picking up debris on our beaches, it reduces the amount that gets into the ocean. If you are feeling extra ambitious, attend our free monthly beach clean- ups, or even start one of your own!
Eat Healthy, Eat Local
A part of living healthy is also eating healthy. An easy way to do this (that also helps the oceans) is to buy local foods. Local foods help reduce the amount of gasoline used to ship foods across the country. Local foods also have fewer harsh chemicals and preservatives -which are not only unhealthy for you, but for the ocean as well. By purchasing foods that don’t use these chemicals, it reduces the amount of runoff that leads into rivers and oceans.
Have a 2016 resolution? Make sure to share it in the comments below!
Written by Autumn Homer, LMC Marketing Intern