LAST THURSDAY, March 13, local residents from North-East Wales were honoured for their dedication to marine conservation at the One Ocean Symposium, held at the Rhyl Theatre Pavilion. The event, organised by the Marine Conservation Society, the UK’s leading ocean charity, celebrated the success of the Hiraeth Yn Y Môr (HYYM) project which is set to conclude this spring.
The HYYM project engaged with coastal communities in Prestatyn, Rhyl, Kinmel Bay, and Towyn to promote ocean literacy, encourage sustainable management of marine resources, and highlight the health and wellbeing benefits of connecting with the ocean.
Opening the symposium via video message, Deputy First Minister of Wales, Huw Irranca-Davies emphasised the critical importance of the ocean to Wales and reaffirmed the Welsh Government’s commitment to enhancing ocean literacy across the country.
Huw Irranca-Davies, Deputy First Minister for Wales, said: “The Welsh Governments vision for our seas is that they are clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse… We have to do more to connect people to the sea, ensuring that we understand our influence and our impact on our coasts and our seas. This is the crucial role of ocean literacy.”
A key part of the One Ocean Symposium was the presentation of awards to individuals and organisations who have made exceptional contributions to local marine conservation efforts. Awards were presented by stakeholders in the project, including the Mayor of Rhyl.
Ciara Taylor, HYYM Project Lead for the Marine Conservation Society, said: “We are so pleased to be able to formally recognise the amazing efforts of our award winners. They epitomise what community projects are all about, showing true passion and commitment to their local communities and marine heritage.
“It’s inspiring to see how much change one individual can bring about. We hope that the award winners will continue to act , and to keep inspiring others.”
The Marine Heritage Award was presented to Claudia Smith for her tireless efforts to protect and raise awareness of local marine heritage. As a dedicated One Ocean Forum member and representative of Denbighshire County Council Countryside Service, Claudia organised volunteer days for the HYYM project, from restoring sand dune systems through marram grass transplanting, to leading guided walks to Wales’ only Little Tern breeding colony in Gronant Dunes. She also contributed to beach cleans, helping to improve the cleanliness and health of the marine environment.
Presented by: Zelda Baveystock, National Lottery Heritage Fund
Winner: Claudia Smith
The Innovative Conservation Award was awarded to Tin Gole Cruz for her creative approach to the sustainable management of our natural resources. Through creating and sharing vlogs of volunteer sessions, including beach cleans and marram grass planting, Tin has played a crucial role in engaging others and raising awareness about the project’s efforts in a visual and accessible way.
Presented by: Kirsty Lindenbaum, Natural Resources Wales
Winner: Tin Gole Cruz
The Local Ambassador Award recognised an individual who has made significant contributions to their local communities whilst demonstrating substantial personal growth. Natalie Lewis was honored for her outstanding work in bringing together local residents to conserve the natural environment in Prestatyn, Rhyl, Kinmel Bay, and Towyn. Through her efforts, she has empowered the local community to take ownership of their coastal environment.
Presented by: The Mayor of Rhyl, Ms Cheryl Williams
Winner: Natalie Lewis
The Future Generations Award celebrated young people who have demonstrated leadership and commitment to marine conservation. Two outstanding young individuals, Charlotte and Autumn-Rose, were recognised for their passion and involvement in the HYYM project.
Charlotte attended every Ocean Connection Programme session with enthusiasm, earning a BBC Blue Peter Badge for her efforts. She also contributed to a BBC competition, writing a story about beach cleaning, and has been an advocate for reducing litter and recycling at her school.
Autumn won the Marine Conservation Society’s Ocean Optimist Award for under-12s in 2024. She has actively participated in planning and designing the HYYM project as one of the longest standing members of the projects One Ocean Forum, representing the youth perspective in decision-making meetings.
Presented by: Ciara Taylor, HYYM Project Lead, Marine Conservation Society
Winners: Charlotte Clarke and Autumn-Rose Bradley
The HYYM Legacy Award was presented to Pengwern College, a provider of specialist further education, recognising their unwavering commitment to the project and their continued efforts to inspire the next generation of marine conservationists in accessible ways. Through their involvement, students have learned about the local marine environment, participated in beach cleans, and used multisensory methods to understand and protect their coastal heritage.
Presented by: Marine Conservation Society Director, Gareth Cunningham
Winner: Pengwern College (collected by Sadie Kelly)
Following their involvement in the HYYM Project, local organisations and partners plan to continue improving ocean literacy in the area. You can find out more information about the project and it’s legacy here: Hiraeth Yn Y Môr Project | Marine Conservation Society
