Since its inception in 2017, 50 cents from every can of Big Spruce Brewing and the Ocean Tracking Network’s Tag! You’re It! (TYI) conservation financing beer have been allocated to non-profit organizations and charities in Canada that support healthy aquatic ecosystems.
A shared ethos of sustainability and local connectedness have turned this marriage of marine conservation and organic, homegrown beer into an ongoing community partnership that has raised nearly $130,000 to date!
In recognition of World Oceans Day 2023, funds raised by Tag! You’re It! were awarded to five recipient organizations committed to marine research, conservation and education: the Canadian Network for Ocean Education, Coastal Action, Diversity of Nature, Friends of Sable Island Society, and the Terranaut Club.
More information about the recipient organizations and their plans for the TYI funding can be found below:
Canadian Network for Ocean Education
The Canadian Network for Ocean Education (CaNOE) is a non-profit organization that strives to amplify, promote and create access to ocean education across Canada through its vast network of collaborators and members.
With the help of TYI funds, CaNOE was able to organize its first cross-country symposium featuring events in Dartmouth, N.S. and Victoria, B.C.
Photo credit: Ocean Tracking Network
Coastal Action
Coastal Action is a non-profit organization that strives to protect and restore the environment through research, education, action and community engagement in the South Shore region of Nova Scotia and beyond.
Coastal Action will be using the TYI funds to advance recovery efforts for the critically endangered Atlantic whitefish, which can only be found in three lakes within the Petite Rivière watershed in Lunenburg County, N.S.
Photo credit: Coastal Action
Diversity of Nature
Led by Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) graduate students at Dalhousie University, Diversity of Nature (DoN) is a non-profit scientific outreach organization dedicated to increasing BIPOC representation in the natural sciences. As part of its mission, DoN offers free outdoor and interactive programming, fosters long-term mentorships between younger students and senior BIPOC researchers, and provides annual scholarships to participants who pursue post-secondary education in STEM.
The TYI funds will be directed to DoN’s shark tagging expeditions in 2023 and 2024, providing 1-2 BIPOC students with an opportunity to develop critical skills in marine outreach, pedagogy and field work. These events will be open to BIPOC youth across Nova Scotia and will specifically target marine enthusiasts from low-income communities.
Photo credit: Nicolas Winkler Photography
Friends of Sable Island Society
Friends of Sable Island Society is a charitable organization focused on the long-term preservation of Sable Island—a 42-kilometre sand bar off the coast of Nova Scotia.
The TYI funds will help make registration fees for the Sable Island Conference more affordable for researchers, allowing them to share their work conducted on and around the island. The bi-annual event also serves as a chance to build stakeholder support and discover collaboration opportunities, while educating the public about the impact of humans on this fragile environment.
Photo credit: Friends of Sable Island Society
Terranaut Club
Terranaut Club is a science and nature exploration non-profit organization that encourages girls and under-represented genders (girls+) to pursue STEM careers and become environmental leaders in their own communities.
Terranaut Club will be directing TYI funds towards five pay-what-you-can marine biology summer programs for girls+ ages 9-18 in Nova Scotia. These events will provide an opportunity for hands-on learning about water quality, endangered species, acoustic animal tracking, marine mammal evolution, and more.
Photo credit: Terranaut Club