Sandwatch
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Sandwatch is a program in which children, youth and adults work together to scientifically monitor and critically evaluate the problems facing their beach environments. They then design and implement practical activities and projects to address particular issues, enhance their beach environment and build resilience to climate change. The Sandwatch approach is called MAST: Monitoring, Analysing, Sharing information, and Taking action.[1] Although Sandwatch has mainly focused on beach environments, the program can be used on other ecosystems, such as rivers and streams.
Sandwatch has received support for activities over the years from organisations such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the University of Puerto Rico Sea Grant College Program, among others.
History
In 1999, participants at an Environmental Education workshop in
In 2001, during the first formal Sandwatch training for teachers, the action-based design was trialed and since then Sandwatch and the MAST approach have been successfully used by teachers around the world and are often portrayed as a working example of education for sustainable development.[3]
In 2005 the Sandwatch Manual was
As the program continued to grow, in 2006 a Sandwatch website and newsletter were launched. In 2008 the Sandwatch Foundation was established as an independent organization to oversee and coordinate the program and is operated by two volunteer directors, Paul Diamond and Gillian Cambers. In 2013 the long-awaited Sandwatch International Database was launched in Mauritius. The database provides participating Sandwatch groups the opportunity to upload their monitoring data to a secure site. Not only does this allow for proper archiving of environmental data, but it also allow users to analyse their results, create their own charts and graphs, and communicate their findings visually with the wider community. Non-Sandwatch groups can also visit the database and view the data.
Activities
Each Sandwatch school or group adopts a local
When a group identifies a problem it can, with the
All Sandwatch groups are encouraged to regularly post their data, photographs and other project details on the Sandwatch website, as well as to contribute articles and photographs to the twice-yearly newsletter, The Sandwatcher.
Sandwatch representatives are often invited to participate in regional and international workshops and conferences, where they share their experiences and data and forge partnerships with similar environmental groups.
See also
- Sea turtle threats
References
- ^ Cambers, Diamond (2010). Sandwatch: Adapting to climate change and educating for sustainable development. UNESCO.
- ^ Verkooy, Michelle (2011). Sandwatch Database Launch Plan.
- ^ Cambers, Gillian; Chapman, Grace; Diamond, Paul; Down, Lorna; Griffith, Anthony D.; Wiltshire, Winthrop (2008). Teacher's guide for education for sustainable development in Caribbean. UNESCO.