The Dolphin Diploma - A new education campaign in the context of the Year of the Dolphin
From now onwards kids and young people all over the world will be awarded a dolphin diploma by the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) for their active contribution to dolphin protection.
This campaign is part of the official “Year of the dolphin 2007” initiative announced by the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (UNEP/CMS).
“Raising awareness about dolphins and the threats they face is not enough. Kids need to be offered attractive ways to get involved in active dolphin conservation”, explains Annika Winter, WDCS’ international education officer. “Personal involvement only can lead to long-term concern and engagement in the field of environmental education”, she adds.
The dolphin diploma award includes a quiz about dolphins and a conservation activity such as participating in a beach clean or organizing an information desk.
8-12 year olds can obtain their diplomas online on the official Year of the Dolphin website www.yod2007.org. Important information about dolphin species and the threats they face is accessible via texts, with images, sound samples and games on the website.
For schools and teachers, WDCS offers an tool kit with comprehensive teaching material. As part of it a brand-new booklet entitled “All About Dolphins” includes fun exercises and ideas for activities. This booklet is published by the founding partners of the Year of the Dolphin and will be available in 8 languages (English, German, Italian, French, Spanish, Greek, Turkish and Arabic). It will also be available for download on www.yod2007.org
“Education is a focus of our campaign. It is crucial to involve the younger generations in order to improve the conservation status of dolphins worldwide and ensure their survival in future”, says Rob Hepworth, CMS Executive Secretary.
All information about the dolphin diploma is available online at www.yod2007.org and www.wdcs.org
Activity packs for teachers: Please contact Jess Feghali-Brown at WDCS, Brookfield House, 38 St Paul Street, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN15 1LJ, Email:
Press contact and images:
Fran Mallion, WDCS UK Press Assistant, on 01249 449 534 or 07834 498277, or email fran.mallion@wdcs.org
For more information on YOD partners check www.yod2007.org/en/Partners
“Raising awareness about dolphins and the threats they face is not enough. Kids need to be offered attractive ways to get involved in active dolphin conservation”, explains Annika Winter, WDCS’ international education officer. “Personal involvement only can lead to long-term concern and engagement in the field of environmental education”, she adds.
The dolphin diploma award includes a quiz about dolphins and a conservation activity such as participating in a beach clean or organizing an information desk.
8-12 year olds can obtain their diplomas online on the official Year of the Dolphin website www.yod2007.org. Important information about dolphin species and the threats they face is accessible via texts, with images, sound samples and games on the website.
For schools and teachers, WDCS offers an tool kit with comprehensive teaching material. As part of it a brand-new booklet entitled “All About Dolphins” includes fun exercises and ideas for activities. This booklet is published by the founding partners of the Year of the Dolphin and will be available in 8 languages (English, German, Italian, French, Spanish, Greek, Turkish and Arabic). It will also be available for download on www.yod2007.org
“Education is a focus of our campaign. It is crucial to involve the younger generations in order to improve the conservation status of dolphins worldwide and ensure their survival in future”, says Rob Hepworth, CMS Executive Secretary.
All information about the dolphin diploma is available online at www.yod2007.org and www.wdcs.org
Activity packs for teachers: Please contact Jess Feghali-Brown at WDCS, Brookfield House, 38 St Paul Street, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN15 1LJ, Email:
Press contact and images:
Fran Mallion, WDCS UK Press Assistant, on 01249 449 534 or 07834 498277, or email fran.mallion@wdcs.org
For more information on YOD partners check www.yod2007.org/en/Partners
