News Details - Coastcare Australia
31/10/2008
DARE TO LIVE "LIFE ON THE EDGE"?
| Australians are being challenged to live “life on the edge” this summer by collectively travelling the entire length of Australia’s coastline – a whopping 36,000 kilometers - whilst helping to raise one million dollars in support of Coastcare projects nationwide. “Life on the Edge” kicks off in Coastcare Week (December 1-7) and will run throughout the entire summer. The initiative will raise awareness and funds for the 60,000 Coastcare volunteers who work hard to preserve our fragile coastal environment. Australia’s top coastal athletes are getting behind “Life on the Edge” to show their support for these volunteers, who share their passion for our world famous coastline. Ranked No.1 in the world in Formula Windsurfing and four-time World Champion, Allison Shreeve, says: | |
| “I have raced in over forty countries, in some of the most pristine, and some of the most polluted waters on earth. Australia’s magnificent coastal areas, beaches and waterways should be appreciated and must be conserved.” To get involved participants register at www.lifeontheedge.org.au to complete 100km of any non-motorised travel, or 10 hours in the water, over the entire summer. |
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| This could include walking, running, cycling, surfing, kayaking, sailing, skating…even scuba diving is an eligible form of movement in racking up the 100km/10hrs. Don’t think you can make 100km alone? You can sign up as a group and split the distance between you. Remember, you don’t have to do it in one burst – you can ration it out over a few months. | |
Two-time Australian Longboard Champion and current leader in the ASP World Longboard Titles, Harley Ingleby says: "If the waves haven't been breaking I have always enjoyed diving and swimming around the headlands, exploring caves and checking out the diversity of local coral and fish life. Looking after the coast and beaches will always be very important to me as I have made it my living, have grown up on it and enjoyed it on a daily basis my whole life." |
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Participants will be able to log their progress on their own blog-like webpage so the public can monitor the progression of the ‘Life on the Edge’ team Australia-wide as it conquers the 36,000 kilometres. Great prizes will be given out to the most successful fundraisers. While 'Life on the Edge' participants don’t have to cover the distance specifically along a coastal stretch – kilometres will count no matter where they are undertaken – Coastcare is using the initiative to highlight the environmental issues and problems being faced along the outer edge of our continent. The website tracking their progress will feature videos of various Coastcare projects across the nation, from sand dune rehabilitation, reef health programs and ghost net clean ups in the Top End to dolphin, whale and bird protection projects. You can also support “Life on the Edge” by purchasing a Christmas e-card online at www.lifeontheedge.org.au. You can choose from a wide range of Coastcare activities to support, such as releasing an endangered seahorse, growing a mangrove seedling, saving an injured pelican or tagging a manta ray. Do you have a Coastcare Group? We want to hear from you. Alison Shreeve photograph by John Carter | |