May 21, 2004
Blue Visions Conference: Pulling ocean conservation together in DC
Perhaps the biggest enemy of ocean conservation to date has been fractiousness -- the feeling that there are hundreds of different groups, many overlapping, some competing against each other, all with the same goal (saving the oceans), but little coordination amongst them.
Author David Helvarg concluded his excellent book, "The Blue Frontier," (which is on our SB Booklist) with a plea for unity in creating a mass movement for the oceans -- a "seaweed rebellion," as he called it. Now he is putting his organizational skills where his pen was in organizing THE BLUE VISION CONFERENCE, this July 11-13 in Washington D.C. (for more information see the "continue reading" link below).
The conference is open to everyone and offers the chance to connect grassroots community efforts with the large scale dynamics of the Pew and US Ocean Commission Reports. It will be limited to 300 and is filling quickly, but at the moment there are still some spaces left. The line-up of speakers already committed is most impressive, including giving a science award to Dr. Ransom Myers (who if he's as fiesty as he was last fall at the Scripps Biodiversity Confernce will be worth the price of admission alone) and a panel that includes Roger Rufe, Director of SB founding partner group, The Ocean Conservancy.
BLUE VISION CONFERENCE
JULY 11-13, WASHINGTON DC
TAKE THE PLUNGE!
Common Sense Solutions to the cascading threats facing our seas and coastal communities do exist, but it will take a blue movement to realize them. On July 11-13, join with hundreds of your fellow watermen and women at the Blue Vision Conference in Washington DC.
Become part of a growing seaweed (marine grassroots) citizen network. Hear from members of the historic Pew and US Ocean Commissions, leading members of Congress, top officials from the White House and Kerry campaign.
Meet your fellow blue activists, educators, surfers, divers, fishermen and women, marine scientists, sailors, artists, explorers, business folk and others. Come together to show there's a growing constituency ready to organize for sustainable new ocean policies while also taking pride in the best of our maritime heritage from sea to shining sea.
Check out more at Bluefront.org or at the conference website: Bluevizmeet.com.
If you need additional information contact David Helvarg at Blue Frontier Campaign, (202) 387-8030 or Dawn Hamilton at Coast Alliance (202) 546-9554