On 27th November, Arklow Coast Care was honoured with the prestigious Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion award at An Taisce’s Clean Coasts Ocean Hero Awards held at the Gibson Hotel in Dublin. This recognition celebrates the group’s commitment to environmental stewardship and their efforts to foster inclusivity within the coastal community.
Clean Coasts, which includes over 2,250 groups and nearly 50,000 volunteers across Ireland, plays a vital role in protecting coastal ecosystems and reducing marine litter. These groups range from local community organizations and schools to businesses and universities, all working together to preserve the health of Ireland’s beaches and waterways. Through events like beach clean-ups, Clean Coasts mobilizes thousands of volunteers each year to remove harmful plastics and debris from our oceans.
The Ocean Hero Awards celebrate the dedication and hard work of individuals and groups committed to safeguarding coastal and marine environments. Clean Coasts has six distinct award categories and received hundreds of nominations. After careful evaluation, 30 groups, organizations, and individuals were shortlisted for the title of Ocean Hero.
Among them, five groups were nominated for the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion category, with Arklow Coast Care winning first place. This award highlights those actively fostering a sense of equality, diversity, and inclusion within their organisation, ensuring that everyone has a role in protecting our planet.
Since its founding in 2006, Arklow Coast Care has been a passionate advocate for the protection of Arklow South Beach. This year, they achieved a Green Flag, marking an important milestone in promoting sustainable beach management. The group also collaborated with the 402 Collective on the Synthetic Sea Project, an art installation that raises awareness about the environmental impact of plastic waste.
Shane Dineen, Environment and Planning Manager at Fáilte Ireland, emphasized the invaluable role Clean Coasts plays in safeguarding Ireland's coastline, stating, “It’s inspiring to see the dedication and diversity of initiatives across the country that are protecting our oceans and coastlines, ensuring they remain a valuable resource for future generations.”
Bronagh Moore, Programme Manager at An Taisce’s Clean Coasts, praised the awards for showcasing the tireless efforts of volunteers working to protect marine ecosystems. “Now, more than ever, our oceans need protection,” she said. “Together, we can make a lasting impact on our environment.”
Arklow Coast Care's success highlights the power of community collaboration. Their partnerships with local organisations such as Sunbeam House Services, Autism Initiatives, The National Learning Network, Tiglin, International Volunteers, Arklow Tidy Towns, Servier, Elevon, and local schools demonstrates the importance of working together for a sustainable future. Mark Costello, Wicklow County Council Climate Action Coordinator, noted, “Achieving this Ocean Hero Award is a testament to Arklow Coast Care and the collective power of this local community in protecting its environment.”
If you’re interested in joining the efforts to care for our coastlines, please reach out to us. There are four active Clean Coasts groups in County Wicklow:
- Arklow Coast Care
- Bray Coast Care
- Brittas Bay Coast Care
- Greystones Coast Care
You can contact these groups on Facebook to learn more about volunteer opportunities. Together, we can make a positive impact on the future of our oceans and coastal ecosystems.