The surface waters of the Yarra and Maribyrnong Rivers carry nearly 1.4 billion items of litter to Port Phillip Bay each year, according to new research from Port Phillip EcoCentre.
As a Brighton Sea Scouts Venturer, Sam Perkins noticed an alarming amount of microplastic appearing at the Holloway Bend Beach in Brighton. Concerned with the impact these microplastics would have on the life in Port Phillip Bay, Sam was inspired to protect the bay as his project in pursuit of the Queen’s Scout Environment Award. The question was: where to start?
This summer, beachgoers are urged to slip, slop and slap sustainably by using sunscreen not containing toxic chemicals, to avoid further damage to our reefs. Chemicals in sunscreen can wash off directly to the ocean when swimming. They can also be carried off the sand to the ocean as the tide rises, particularly if beachgoers use spray-on sunscreen which leaves residue chemicals across the sand. Even sunscreen washed off in the shower has the potential to end up in the ocean.
2019 bookings now being taken 
Our award winning excursions provide hands-on, inquiry- focused educational experiences for P-12 year levels.
Free professional learning events each term for school and ELC educators, support staff and parents to network, share resources and connect to the local environment. A wide range of topics are covered with a focus on embedding sustainability and environment education in classroom teaching.
Port Phillip Baykeeper is partnering with Scouts Victoria to map microplastic litter hotspots across Melbourne, to help us stop plastic pollution at the source before it harms wildlife and waterways.
The next Alive Outside season will be in spring 2019.
Stay tuned for more information!
Our free 'Alive Outside' program is tailored for 12 to 25 year olds who would love to explore and help nature in Port Phillip Bay, local parks and the St Kilda Foreshore.
Neil Blake, OAM, is the award-winning Port Phillip Baykeeper.
The EcoCentre acknowledges the Kulin Nations, including the Yalukut Weelam clan of the Boon Wurrung language group, traditional owners of the land on which we are located. We pay respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to other Aboriginal and Elder members of our multicultural community.
