World Oceans Day 2012

June 8, 2012 is World Oceans Day, a day when people around the globe come together to celebrate our ocean and take action to protect it. Living by the beach allows most of us the opportunity to enjoy all the fun the ocean has to offer, and conservation directly effects us all.

The ocean not only makes our world livable, it provides us with food, water, commerce, recreation, and medicine. The ocean has serious struggles, did you know that 90% of the big fish in the sea are gone? That the gyres are filled with more plastic than previously estimated or that the Deepwater Horizon disaster dumped 4.9 million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, and coastal dead zones from agricultural runoff are worse than ever?

There are several local events celebrating World Oceans Day and bringing attention to ocean awareness this weekend including:

Virginia Aquarium:

• A breakfast on June 9, 2012 from 9-10:30am with Dr Seuss friends for crafts, activities with “Green Eggs & Ham” and “Cat in the Hat” themed pancakes. (Cost- Members: $17 per person, Non-Members: $22 per person & does not include Aquarium admission)
• Activities and crafts including a scavenger hunt, storytimes and puppet shows will be taking place at the Aquarium from 10am-4pm. This program is free with Aquarium admission.

Virginia Living Museum:

• Come enjoy storytime where they will read Dr. Seuss’ “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish” at 2:30pm.
• There will be a take home craft (Dr. Seuss Oceans of Inspiration Crown).
• After storytime head into the Museum and seehow many different types of fish you can find.
• There will also be a Seafood Watch Guide to take home or download to help you make decisions about which fish to eat that has minimal impact on the ocean.
• This program is free with Museum admission.

Virginia Zoo:

• On Friday, June 8, 2012 from 11am-1pm enjoy a special Zoo Tales storytime featuring Dr. Seuss’ “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish” and “Yertle the Turtle” and hear about local conservation efforts.
• There will also be crafts and an opportunity to visit with a live animal.
• This program is free with Zoo admission.

If you are a resident of Virginia Beach, there is a local movement to have World Oceans Day officially acknowledged by the City of Virginia Beach. Read more about it HERE.

Disclosure – this post may contain affiliate links and MyActiveChild.com does receive compensation if you make a purchase after clicking on an affiliate link. To read our full disclosure, please read our Terms of Use.