Community Engagement Opportunity

 Below is a collaboration with MarineQuest Trash Collectors program and New Hanover County 4-H! they are opening this opportunity up for 4-H members across the state. Here is a great way to show your creativity in turning debris into ART!

Turtle Trash Collectors and Plastic Ocean Project are teaming up to host a marine debris upycling art contest for all ages – and we want YOU to participate!

 

Upcycling is taking something that you no longer have use for and turning it into something useful rather than throwing it away. One way to upcycle is to create art, and that is your challenge for this contest! To participate, you can create any type of art you want to (sculpture, painting, collage, etc.), but it must include a turtle and trash collected from your community. All ages and geographic locations are welcome. Submissions will be grouped by age (Elementary and younger, Middle, and High School and older).

 

Marine debris, or trash in the ocean, has major impacts on all kinds of marine life. It entangles animals and can be ingested, causing blocks in the digestive system. Marine debris starts out as trash on land, and by picking up litter in our area we can keep the sea free of debris! To learn more about how marine debris impacts sea turtles, please join the Turtle Trash Collectors for a virtual program. Upcoming public program dates are available on our website.

 

Please see the attached flyer for more information on the art contest, or follow these steps to participate:

 

Step 1: Sign up to let us know you want to participate by clicking here. You can also sign up to earn your Turtle Trash Collectors badges during your cleanup here if you want to.

 

Step 2: Collect trash in your neighborhood, park, or local beach. Collect data using the Marine Debris Tracker App or the Ocean Conservancy Datasheet, and request your Turtle Trash Collectors digital badges.

 

Step 3: Sort and clean your trash with soap and water. Spraying it down with vinegar will also help to sanitize your trash before you make your art.

Step 4: Get creative! You can create a sculpture, collage, or anything you can think of with your trash. Make sure you incorporate a turtle and debris into your design somewhere. You can use other items you collected and items around your house, but try to avoid buying new items for this project.

 

Step 5: Submit a picture and description of your artwork by April 15th here. Pictures and descriptions will be posted on Facebook for the public to vote for winners during Earth Week. Prizes will be mailed to the participants whose art has the most “likes” in each age category.

 

Please reach out to us with any questions at SirakSchaefferL@uncw.edu or 910-833-0867.