Ocean Bridge connects Canadian youth from coast to coast to coast empowering them to make a difference towards ocean conservation. Each year 40 youth (ages 18-30) form a national team engaged in co-creating and delivering service projects for their home communities and two immersive expeditions addressing Ocean Health and Ocean Literacy in Canada.
Ocean Bridge youth are empowered to make a difference towards ocean conservation through three program elements:
Check out our map to learn more about the 2019 cohort of Ocean Bridge Ambassadors!
Keep an eye out for events in your community!
Every Ocean Bridge youth will serve their hometown with community service. Check out our calendar for event updates, programs, and involvement opportunities.
You can follow our Ocean Bridge updates on the Ocean Wise Facebook page or check out our updates on Twitter. Connect with us on social via #OceanBridge!
The 2019 Ocean Bridge cohort of young ocean ambassadors from across Canada will gather in Ottawa from Jan. 24-28, 2020! They’ve planned an exciting slate of events to engage the Ottawa/Gatineau region in ocean conservation activities and events for all ages. See the list below for event details!
Friday, January 24
Threading Water: Betty Carpick – Artist at work
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. / Canadian Museum of Nature (Rotunda)
Thunder Bay-based artist Betty Carpick puts the finishing touches on a year-long project that began when the 40 youth from across Canada in the 2019 cohort met for the first time along the north shore of Lake Superior this past summer. The artist will be set up and working in the rotunda of the Canadian Museum of Nature in downtown Ottawa.
“The Great Bear Rainforest”: Free Documentary Screening, Panel and Networking Event
7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. / Canadian Museum of History
Journey to a land of grizzlies, coastal wolves, sea otters and the all-white spirit bear — the rarest bear on earth — in the film “Great Bear Rainforest”. Experience this magical world in IMAX at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau. This event is organized by Ocean Wise's Ocean Bridge cohort in collaboration with Pacific Wild. It is completely free to the public but individuals must reserve their seats. As an organization made up of young ocean conservationists, Ocean Bridge is tasked with engaging other Canadian youth. Because of this, we strongly encourage youth community members in Ottawa to RSVP as soon as possible to secure their spots.
10:00 a.m. – 4 p.m. / Canadian Museum of Nature (Water Gallery)
In the Canadian Museum of Nature’s wonderful Water Gallery, learn about the contaminants in the Ottawa river and watershed, their impacts and what we can do. Youth ocean leaders will explain how to measure and analyse those contaminants, as well as how the data is interpreted and used to make decisions. Discover the impact that your own household is having on the Ottawa watershed and what you can do to be a better watershed steward. Special highlight: Touch tank of aquatic species.
This project aims to both get an understanding of ocean literacy in Ottawa and for youth to share their own experiences with the oceans, water and their importance with the public at the Canadian Museum of Nature. This will be achieved through conversations, hands-on activities and games focusing on many aspects of the oceans and waterways.
Sounds of the Sea: A celebration of oceans through arts and culture
7:00 p.m. - late / Jackson's at the Ottawa Art Gallery
The Ocean Bridge 2019 cohort of young ocean leaders invites everyone aged 19+ to join them for an environmentally themed art showcase at Jackson's at the Ottawa Art Gallery, bringing ocean issues and our connections to the ocean and waterways to light in the Ottawa region. This event will foster new connections while allowing participants to celebrate the significance of oceans, along with highlighting the challenges they currently face, through the use of arts and culture. Snacks and beverages will be available for event participants to enjoy while viewing poetry readings, musical acts, and drag performers. Cost is free though registration is required on Eventbrite.
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. / Canadian Museum of Nature (Water Gallery)
In the Canadian Museum of Nature’s stunning Water Gallery, stop by and learn about the contaminants in the Ottawa river and watershed, their impacts and what we can do. Youth ocean leaders will explain how to measure and analyse those contaminants, as well as how the data is interpreted and used to make decisions. Discover the impact that your own household is having on the Ottawa watershed and what you can do to be a better watershed steward. Special highlight: Touch tank of aquatic species.
1:30 - 2:30 p.m. / Canadian Museum of Nature (Rotunda)
The importance of water, quality of water and plastics issues from coast to coast to coast in Canada is explored through guest speakers that will focus on the importance of water, an interactive map workshop that will demonstrate how plastics move through our waterways and oceans, and a future-actions workshop. Guest speakers and topics will include:
- Matt Miller, Ocean Bridge Alumnus; PhD Student, School of Earth and Ocean Science, UVic; Executive Director - Surfrider Foundation UVic Club – (Plastic pollution, its sources and effect on human health)
- Jamie Benidickson, Professor, uOttawa, Faculty of Law; Director of IUCN Academy of Environmental Law – (River pollution and household waste in the Ottawa area)
- Cyrielle Noël, Ocean Bridge 2019 cohort member; Marine Spatial Planner (MSc) – (Plastic-free as a privilege)
- Elaine Kicknosway (To Be Confirmed), Grandmother, Wolf Clan of the Cree Nation – (Indigenous access to clean drinking water
This project aims to both get an understanding of ocean literacy in Ottawa and for youth to share their own experiences with the oceans, water and their importance with the public at the Canadian Museum of Nature. This will be achieved through conversations, hands-on activities and games focusing on many aspects of the oceans and waterways.
An exciting and unique networking event, Ocean Bridge’s Living Library is a form of dialogue that brings together experts from various fields to participate as “books” and encourages “readers” to engage in the vast array of topics that the library’s “books” have expertise and experience in. Guest speaker will be Mia Otokiak, an Ocean Bridge participant from Cambridge Bay, Nunavut. Light snacks will be served and beverages will be available for purchase. The event will take place on the second floor at the Canadian Museum of Nature.
Ocean Bridge youth ocean ambassadors will have the chance to participate in a Youth Climate Lab workshop and take part in the Canadian Committee of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s (CC-IUCN) annual general meeting at the Museum of Nature, which will bring together some of the leading voices in the world of conservation in Canada.
