Background

Some of the many threats experienced by the marine and migratory ecosystem include climate change, loss of habitat, pollution resulting from plastic waste, urbanization, and over-exploitation by human beings. All these problems have resulted in reduced populations of critically endangered species like the Olive Ridley sea turtle and migratory birds, which rely on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway route for survival. Despite increasing interest in environmental concerns, information about marine biodiversity and migratory conservation, especially to underserved students with minimal educational resources, is still very poor.

Environmental education is generally presented in much too complicated language, making it impossible for most children to understand conservation issues. Besides, there are no sufficient ways of helping children understand ecological systems, the difficulties associated with endangered species, and conservation practices. As a result, both environmental awareness and youth activism remain major challenges for the underserved.

SeaGuide is a program that was introduced to fill this void through marine and migratory conservation awareness. This involves engaging kids in educational programs, illustrative literature, fieldwork activities, and mapping of migratory pathways to enhance environmental consciousness and cultivate compassion towards critically endangered species while empowering young people with conservation.