#50occ

Celebrate a birthday, special occasion, or holiday more sustainably by following these tips:

45. Don’t buy products or food made from rare or endangered marine animals.

46. Make festive decorations out of reusable or natural materials.

47. Skip the store-bought wrapping paper.

48. Give gifts that don’t need to be wrapped.

Spread the coastal love 🌊

We're sharing 50 ways to love your ocean and coasts just in time for our 50th anniversary. Missed any of our tips? Check out our Instagram Guide.

49. Take photos! Help spread love for the coast by showcasing its beauty. You get to spend time outdoors and enjoy sharing what you experienced with others.

50. Have fun. From beach volleyball to meditation, the coast has a lot to offer, so get out there and enjoy it! Those who love the beach are more likely to protect it, so invite others to join you as well.

Whaling stretches far back in human history, with evidence dating back to the Middle Ages, to Indigenous and cultural uses over the last several thousand years, to the emergence of a global commercial whaling industry over the last two centuries. Commercial whaling in American waters came to an end on Dec. 31, 1971, and the last whale to be taken for commercial harvest was a sperm whale taken near San Francisco Bay, in what is today Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary. Thanks to the Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, National Marine Sanctuaries Act, and other legislation, many of the waters that were once killing grounds for whales are now a haven for wildlife of all kinds.

We're sharing 50 ways to love your ocean and coasts! Whether you're at home, at work, or out and about- everyone can support ocean and coast conservation, with acts that are big and small.

At home and at work:

1. Conserve energy

2. Reduce water use at home.

3. Reduce the use of paper products to help save trees.

4. Reduce your commuting carbon footprint.

5. Be careful when disposing of hazardous polluting materials.

6. Maximize and reduce waste

7. Plan for emergencies.

8. Reduce your plastics when you have the opportunity to do so.

Out and about:

9. Shop local

10. Consider buying sustainable seafood.

11.Support the use of natural infrastructure in your community.

12. Use a reusable water bottle instead of buying a single use one whenever possible.

13. When shopping, bring your own reusable bags.

Stay tuned next week for more tips to give back to the planet. 🌎

Every week leading up to our 50th anniversary, we are sharing ways to love your ocean and coasts. Follow along as we count up to 50!

Volunteering:

14. Participate in a stream, river, or beach clean up.

15. Contribute your expertise and ideas.

16. Volunteer.

In the garden:

17. Plant native species in your garden.

18. Make your own compost.

19. Use green infrastructure wherever you can.

On vacation:

20. Vacation coast-smart.

21. Learn how to safely enjoy wildlife viewing at the ocean.

22. Lights out for turtles!

23. Leave seashells on the beach.

At play:

24. Explore recreational opportunities on public lands and waters.

25. Take up a new sport or pastime.

26. Play wisely.

27. Consider the impact of coast-dependent businesses.

28. Go on a virtual expeditions.

29. Go on a virtual dive.

30. Visit your local aquarium or nature center.

31. Visit a coastal park.

32. Familiarize yourself with coastal management laws and policies.

Stay tuned next week for more tips to give back to the planet. 🌎