Do Your Part for Oceans on World Oceans Day!

World Oceans Day is commemorated each year on June 8. This is a day to remind everyone about the importance of our oceans and the vital part they play in our global ecosystem. It's also a day to raise awareness among others about the plight of our oceans, and to take action to protect them. We need our oceans healthy for our planet to continue to thrive.

Get ready for this special day by planning what you can do to help celebrate World Oceans Day coming up in a couple of weeks!

• Participate in a beach cleanup! One of the best ways to protect our oceans is to keep them clean. Look for local beach cleanup events in your area, or organize your own cleanup with friends and family. If you don't live near the ocean, plan a local cleanup. Garbage that gets into the water locally may end up in the ocean some day -- and you can do your part to stop that!

• Reduce your use of plastic! This is something to do every day, but you can use the day to think of ways to incorporate more reduction of plastic use in your life. Plastic pollution is a major problem for our oceans. Take steps to reduce your own plastic use by bringing a reusable water bottle and shopping bags, avoiding single-use plastics, and recycling properly. Already do these things? That's great! Spread the word.

• Take the day to learn more about ocean conservation. World Oceans day is a perfect time to educate yourself about the issues facing our oceans, and the ways you can help. Attend a lecture, watch a documentary, visit a nature center or rehabilitation center, or read a book about ocean conservation.

• Help support ocean conservation organizations. This can be by donating to organizations that work to protect our oceans, or through the donation of your time -- consider volunteering for a similar organization.

• Participate in a citizen science project that will help ocean conservation: Look for activities like collecting data on marine debris, protecting sea turtle nests, or monitoring coral reefs.

• Eat sustainably-sourced seafood. This is another practice that should stay with you year-round, but if you're not up to date on the latest information regarding sustainable seafood practices,World Oceans Day is a perfect time to get caught up.

• Last, but not least, use your voice to spread the word. You can use social media or other channels to spread awareness about World Oceans Day and the importance of protecting our oceans.