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Dublin, 08/06/2023 – Irish Girl Guides (IGG) commemorates World Oceans Day on 8 June by introducing a new badge highlighting ocean conservation efforts. The SDG 14 Life Below Water Badge is the latest in IGG’s efforts to educate and bring about positive change to the areas of the environment, conservation, and climate change.
The Life Below Water badge highlights one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) identified by the UN to become a blueprint for peace and prosperity throughout the planet. It joins other SDG badges including SDG 3 Good Health and Well-Being, SDG 13 Climate Action Badge, and SDG 12 Responsible Consumerism, which were developed in partnership with organisations such as Irish Aid and Trocaire.
To earn the badge, girls engage in beach cleans and litter pick-ups, learn about threats to our oceans, and identify different types of marine life. The badge can be earned by Ladybirds aged 5-7, Brownies aged 7-10, Guides aged 10-14, and Senior Branch aged 14-30.
“Irish Girl Guides have always taught girls and young women the importance of nature, the outdoors, and living in peace with our environments. Sustainability and ecology are central to our educational programme,” says Jenny Gannon, IGG Programme and Training Commissioner. “The oceans are the birthplace of all life on Earth, and we are very happy to offer a badge that highlights the importance of ocean conservation.”
To celebrate the launch of the badge, a group of 100 girls, leaders, and adult helpers visited the Galway Atlantaquaria for a day of tours, educational sessions, and a beach cleanup at Grattan Beach at Salthill.
“The activities the girls take on when earning the badge demonstrate the vast size and diversity on display in our oceans,” says Shannon Lauchlan, Irish Girl Guides Leader based in Galway and a PhD candidate studying Marine Ecology, who was central to the badge’s development. “I’m thrilled to be able to share my passion for oceans with the members of Irish Girl Guides.
Irish Girl Guides welcomes members from age 5+ and volunteer Leaders from age 18+. To find out more, see www.irishgirlguides.ie or tel: 01 6683898.
Contact:
Christopher Jablonski, Communications Officer
01-6683898 ext. 104
communications@irishgirlguides.ie
Notes for editors:
Irish Girl Guides has about 10,000 members across Ireland. Guiding started in Ireland in 1911 and operates throughout the 26 counties with 1,600 volunteer leaders providing an informal educational programme of fun and challenging activities that foster confidence and leadership skills in girls and young women, enabling them to develop to their full potential and to become responsible citizens. Girls from ages 5+ can choose to earn a wide range of badges, including Climate Action, Cultural Diversity, Cybersecurity, Disability Awareness, Engineering, Global Traveller, Healthy Mind, Robotics, and STEM.
