LOS ANGELES, California, USA (Wednesday, April 21, 2021) - In celebration of Earth Day, the World Surf League (WSL) announces the recipients of the inaugural WSL PURE (the WSL's non-profit) grant program, which has been awarded to organizations in key WSL regions whose work is in support of We Are One Ocean, WSL's campaign to protect and conserve the global ocean.
Recipients have been chosen in Brazil, California, Hawaii, and South Africa:
SOS Mata Atlântica Foundation, Brazil: a leading environmental non-governmental organization (NGO) working to inspire society to protect Brazil's most threatened coastal forest. The grant will be used to fund an awareness campaign to engage local governments and communities to take action to protect important coastal ecosystems, including mangroves, dunes and coral reefs, along the Brazilian Atlantic Forest.
WILDCOAST, California: an international non-profit dedicated to the conservation of coastal and marine ecosystems and addressing climate change through natural solutions. WILDCOAST hopes to use this opportunity to better engage Coastal Tribes and underserved communities in California through collaborative conservation and education experiences around ocean stewardship.
Mālama Pūpūkea-Waimea, Hawaii: a community non-profit based on the North Shore of Oahu working to replenish and sustain the natural and cultural resources of Pūpūkea and Waimea for present and future generations through active community stewardship, education, and partnerships. The grant will be used to address key threats to the Pūpūkea Marine Life Conservation District through outreach, education, native planting and the implementation of a community-engaged management plan.
WILDOCEANS, South Africa: an organization working to create opportunities to empower and restore socio-ecological resilience and the balance between humankind and nature, for a just and healthy planet. WILDOCEANS in partnership with the Youth4MPAs, an active youth movement, with the vision of generating youth voices that create awareness about ocean protection, plan to run an African Ocean Youth Summit to engage African youth change-makers in the field of marine protection, discuss innovative solutions to current ocean related challenges, and the importance of protecting and conserving the ocean around Africa.
"The WSL PURE grant program is really important to us because it allows us to deepen our connection to those communities where the WSL holds events across the world," said Emily Hofer, Executive Director of WSL PURE. "We are thrilled to partner with and support the incredible work of these organizations as our inaugural grantees. We are committed to working at both the global and grassroots level to protect and conserve the global ocean and, in particular, investing in youth as stewards of the global ocean."
"WILDCOAST's international team of conservationists could not be more proud to join WSL and WSL PURE to save our seas. With more than 20 years in coastal and marine conservation, we are excited to bring our experience to advance the We Are One Ocean initiative and ensure thriving, surfable oceans for generations to come," said Zach Plopper, Associate Director, WILDCOAST.
This Earth Day, and throughout this season, the WSL is striving to preserve the future of our sport with the We Are One Ocean petition. The WSL is calling on world leaders at the 2021 UN Convention on Biological Diversity to protect and conserve at least 30% of the global ocean by 2030, including global waters. The WSL urges world leaders to be led by science and an inclusive process that embraces all stakeholder communities and considers the ocean's value to the peoples of every nation.
The WSL encourages ocean lovers around the world to celebrate Earth Day by learning more and signing the petition at weareoneocean.org.
We Are One Ocean is supported by Shiseido, Gillette Venus as part of their ongoing commitment to using fewer resources by 2030, the all-new Jeep 4xe hybrid electric vehicle, and Chamisal Vineyards.