Youth-led 4-H event at Pearson College connects agriculture, conservation and ocean health

A group of local teenagers is bringing together marine scientists, conservation experts and community members for a free Ocean Education Day at Pearson College this weekend.

The event, called Abalone to Agriculture - Connecting Land and Sea, will run Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and is designed to help people better understand the connection between life on land and the health of the ocean.

Among the featured speakers is Dr. Anna Hall, a marine mammal zoologist who studies the animals that call the waters around Vancouver Island home.

The event is being organized by four senior members of the Metchosin 4-H Club, many of whom are involved in agricultural projects. Hall said the students wanted to highlight the connection between activities on land and the health of marine ecosystems both negative and positive.

The event forms part of the students’ 4-H leadership certification project, but Hall says it also reflects the changing interests of young people involved in the century-old organization.

“4-H has been around for more than 100 years and it is firmly rooted in agriculture — that’s certainly how it started,” Hall said. “But one of the really admirable things about 4-H is that it’s driven by the members, not the adults.”

As a result, local projects have expanded beyond traditional farming activities to include environmental stewardship and watershed monitoring.

Members of the Metchosin club have spent time conducting water-quality testing in Bilston Creek, learning how physical conditions in waterways change over time and how those changes can affect ecosystems downstream.

The goal of Sunday’s event is to build on those lessons by highlighting the connections between agriculture, freshwater systems and marine environments.

“We sometimes think of living on land and living at sea as separate things, but actually it’s a continuum,” Hall said.

She noted that heavy rainfall can carry fertilizers, feed and animal waste from agricultural areas into nearby waterways and eventually the ocean, potentially harming marine ecosystems. At the same time, community actions such as shoreline cleanups can have positive impacts on marine life.

The afternoon will feature presentations from several experts working in ocean conservation and research.

Seaweed educator, author and entrepreneur Amanda Swinimer will speak about the ecological importance of B.C.’s coastal seaweeds and their benefits for both people and marine ecosystems.

Another guest speaker, coral reef specialist Reshevski Jack, will discuss his research on how runoff and coastal development have affected coral reef health in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Jack will also share insights from his work in fisheries management throughout the Caribbean.

Hall’s presentation will focus on the marine mammals found around southern Vancouver Island and the importance of protecting local species.

Organizers say the event is geared toward all ages and will include children’s crafts, opportunities to meet experts and a tour of Pearson College’s gray whale skeleton.

The scenic campus overlooking Pedder Bay could also provide visitors with a glimpse of local wildlife.

“There might be seals. Possibly killer whales could come by, we have no idea,” Hall said with a laugh.

Ultimately, organizers hope the event inspires people to become more engaged in ocean conservation.

“I always believe that when people become aware, then they will care,” Hall said. “The more people we have caring about the oceans, the better our waters are going to be.”

Ocean Education Day takes place Sunday, June 21, at Pearson College in Metchosin. Doors open at 2 p.m., with presentations beginning shortly afterward. Admission is free.