Leave No Trace featured as part of World Oceans Month by Twinkl

World Oceans Month 2022 with Twinkl

June is World Oceans Month, and this year we talked to the educational publisher, Twinkl, all about the steps we can all take to be more responsible outdoor users around our aquatic environments, especially our beaches.

Below are our four tips for all beachgoers:

1. Plan Ahead

Before you embark on a day out at the beach, first consider how you will get there! If you live very close to the beach, it is great to walk or cycle as you will avoid traffic and parking complications. If you are within the local area of the beach, you could look at public transport to cut emissions. If you are travelling to a remote beach, it may be best to drive for safety purposes, but you could consider carpooling if you are going as a group.

2. Dispose of Waste Properly

Bring zero-waste lunches in reusable containers to help prevent the creation of litter and rubbish. This summer many of our most popular beaches are going to be very busy. You may arrive in an area where the bins are full or, if you visit more remote locations, there might be no bins at all. We find the best approach is that if you can bring it with you, you can bring it home.

3. Respect Wildlife

While exploring Ireland’s scenic coastlines you may be lucky enough to spot some of our most iconic marine animals: seals! While it is an exciting experience to spot a seal, it’s important to respect them from a safe distance, particularly during their pupping seasons. They are extremely sensitive to disturbances by humans or dogs. Never chase, touch, or feed marine wildlife. Keep 100m distance and keep dogs on a lead in the vicinity of wildlife.

4. Travel On Durable Ground

Our sand dunes provide natural protection from coastal flooding and winds during storms. They also provide a natural buffer that can absorb the impact of erosion, protecting the areas and communities behind them. Help protect our sand dunes by not walking or climbing on them, instead stay on marked pathways and the beach and respect local signage.

Make sure to read Twinkl’s full piece for World Oceans Month, where they cover such topics as “What is water conservation and why is it important?”, “What everyday things contribute to water pollution?”, “How can we support ocean restoration”, as well as so much more!