Celebrate and Protect

HAPPY WORLD OCEANS DAY, 2021


What does it mean to live by the sea?  In this amazing place where rivers flow and mountains rise up to the sky.  This region, so rich in culture, history and stories of the Coast Salish Peoples, where elders considered Átl’ḵa7tsem/Howe Sound, their highway. 

It is this special place that we celebrate today.

World Oceans Day brings us together around the globe, no matter how near or far, we are from her shores.  We are all connected by water, with oceans covering over 70% of our planet.  How can we not be impacted or make an impact on these vast and amazing waterways?

This year, we are zooming in on our backyard, with a series of collaborative events, shared voices, resources and actions to inspire, explore, take action, celebrate and protect Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound.  It takes a village, and there are amazing people here and around the globe, speaking up and taking a stand for our shared home, this blue planet.  

What Will You Do To Celebrate Today?

What Does The Ocean Mean To You?

3 - Jacob R - Gleneagles Ch’axáý Elementary - Octopus.jpeg

Overall Howe Sound Art Challenge Winner, Pacific red octopus by Jacob R, Grade 3, Gleneagles Ch’axáý Elementary

WE ARE INSPIRED BY YOUR ARTWORK. YOUR ARTWORK INSPIRES OTHERS.

We deeply apologize for a technical glitch, and we know how important and special each piece is. Some of your wonderful submissions grew wings and got lost out in the cybersphere.  

PLEASE HELP US IN THEIR RETURN AND TO SHARE YOUR LOVE OF HOWE SOUND WITH OTHERS.

Artwork received has been curated into a gallery of beautiful images and slideshow for everyone to enjoy.   If yours is not here, we would be grateful if you could please use the link below to resubmit and have it featured. 

Howe Sound Art Challenge (myseatosky.org)

With Gratitude, The World Oceans Day Team

HONOURED TO SHARE MY VOICE IN CELEBRATION OF WORLD OCEANS DAY
Celebrating Howe Sound on World Oceans Day | Watch News Videos Online (globalnews.ca)

On this UN special date of significance, let’s connect to our oceans, recognizing their importance and protecting them together. A Special World Oceans Day message, shared by Marine Ambassador, Jessica Schultz.

United Nations, World Oceans Day. “This year's theme, The Ocean: Life & Livelihoods, will explore the wonders of the ocean, how it supports every organism on Earth, and what we can do to create sustainable and inclusive livelihoods for all who depend on it.⁠”

Let’s Have a Look at what’s happening UN World Oceans Day 2021

un-wod-2021-cover-image-event.jpeg

THIRD ANNUAL WORLD OCEANS DAY STUDENT EVENT

We are celebrating the stories shared through artwork of Howe Sound.  Educational resources and tools alongside personal messages, to help us learn and grow more.  The sense of place, space and community that the Sea to Sky and Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound give us.  The inspiration of being in, on or near to the sea.  She has a story to tell, as old as her tides.

Over the past nine months or so, my daughters and I keep coming across Sea Stars.  So amazing to spot and we are always full of questions..  On the heels of last year’s learning, amazing  Oceans Wonders Presentation by the Marine Detective  and  Blog | The Marine Detective , we are on the lookout for the health and abundance of these stars of the sea.

Citizen Scientists, that’s you and me, play an important role in supporting all of the research and efforts to identify and help marine life and habitats.

See something at the shoreline, or in the ocean that you’re not quite sure about?  

Have a question? Ask Marine Ambassador - Jessica Schultz

The ocean is a lot of things to a lot of people.  

For me, there is flow, zen, exploration, exhilaration and always learning.  

Here’s a message of hope these locals share with us.  

THE OCEAN: LIFE & LIVELIHOOD, HOWE SOUND CANADIAN COASTAL SAILING, SQUAMISH, BC

"We live and work on Howe Sound / Atl’ka7tsem, and have witnessed it's continued resilience. This once declared dead-zone is rebuilding itself and now attracts all levels of sea life, from the herring that form the foundation of the food chain to the sea lions and orcas that dominate the top. We are fortunate to make our living and livelihood from the wind and water, and aim to foster an appreciation and respect for the environment that is paramount to all existence." 

BE INSPIRED - TAKE TO THE SEAS Canadian Coastal Sailing

Let’s Get This Party Started! I am so honoured and grateful to share this day with each and every one of you.  For all those who have shared their voices and worked together for this year’s special event.  I got to have a sneak peek at the artwork that came in through the Student Howe Sound Art Challenge and was mind blown by how amazing it is! The stories and hope of Howe Sound, captured in colour. Truly, so heartwarming and inspiring. These two pieces are my daughters’ and tell special stories of Howe Sound for me. So grateful, Tracey Saxby of My Sea to Sky for this inaugural artwork challenge and integral part of World Oceans Day storytelling. The world is brighter for it. And to the students, teachers and families who will join us for the Student Presentation, it really is special and has been created with a lot of thought and intention.  I am so grateful to have collaborated with Ruth Simons of Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative and connected to Ocean Wise through their educational expertise, raising ocean literacy and aligning with the Ocean Watch strategy.   We can’t wait to share with you, along with Artwork Winners and message from Squamish Mayor, Karen Elliott. To everyone, every day doing big and little things to help out our planet and waterways, for generations to come.  We Are All In This Together.  And Together We Can. Every action creates ripples of awareness.  Multiplied by Many, Beautiful Waves of Change. Minna.

HAPPY WORLD OCEANS DAY.

PLEASE JOIN US: SPECIAL STUDENT PRESENTATION: TUESDAY JUNE 8th, 9-10AM Howe Sound Ocean Life: So Close, So Special Tickets, Tue, 8 Jun 2021 at 9:00 AM | Eventbrite

EVENING PRESENTATION: TUESDAY JUNE 8th, 7-8:15 PM UN World Oceans Day - Glass Sponge Reefs and the Amazing Underwater World in Howe Sound. — Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative (howesoundbri.org)

MARINE REFERENCE GUIDE: MONDAY JUNE 7th, 7-8PM Webinar Registration - Zoom

Oceans of Gratitude: Anne MacKenzie, Unrestricted Creative, Ruth Simons, Tracey Saxby, Daphne Austin, Aroha Miller, Andrew Lang Wong, Danika Strecko, Cory Hartling, Jessica Schultz , Bridget John, Fiona Beaty, Lenny Rubenovitch , Art Harry, Rebecca McCleery, Amy Liebenberg, Clare Hodgetts, Tatiana Lee, Andy Anissimoff, Mountain FM , Pique Newsmagazine , Jackie Hildering, Bob Turner, Jay White, Mamquam Elementary School,  Karen Elliott  and all of the family and friend support around us.  

I reside on the unceded traditional territory of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw and am grateful to share my voice for Atl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound