This Week
These are exciting days. I’ve been working on a video project called Mind of a Guide for months now. It’s a 6 week on-line course that teaches the language of rivers as they apply to life…. busy, responsible life. I have a one time offer for you (I’m not kidding about the ONE time offer- and registrations close May 7). If you are not feeling great when you get to the end of your day, Check it Out might have just what you’ve been looking for. Don’t even think about telling me you are too busy, because that’s exactly what the course is for: a fun way to learn about being busy AND feeling great. Make space for it, trust me, this is for you.
In the last issue I introduced one of the teaching videos called The Secret of Don’t. Now there is a whole 3 video series is available – for free. It condenses 30 plus years of outdoor life into a very unique focus that provides energy and confidence. This series of 12 to 18 minute videos will only be up for a few more days, so if you are interested, you’ll need to watch before Monday. (link is in Check it Out)
This week introduces OceansWatch to you. I met Chris Bone, the founder of OceansWatch with his wife Julia over summer. They are based in Whangarei, but have a world-wide organization dedicated to environmental and cultural care. I was struck by their dedication and clear, focused action. I think you will appreciate their work, and invite you to add any resources to their upcoming Solomon Islands effort.
In Check it Out, we put some of our resources to OceansWatch. In Joy, Becky
OceansWatch – - Healthy Oceans and Sustainable Island Communities
Chris Bone, the CEO of OceansWatch has a heart of gold. He might not say that for himself, but when you read his story, it sounds like a quest. Chris spent many years of his life sailing all over the Pacific with his yacht delivery company. During these years he saw much degradation of the environment and poverty. This contrasted strongly with the expensive yachts that were visiting these places. He knew that sailors have many skills and resources that could help these people and the environment. In 2007, after being left at Karkar Island, in Papua New Guinea, by his crew who feared pirates, he was asked for help by that island community. He knew with the help of others he could make a difference and said: “yes, I will help and will come back next year.”
Five years later, Chris kept his promise to the people of Karkar and has extended “I will help” into an international organization called OceansWatch with projects based in the Pacific and Caribbean. Chris has attracted many people to help him who are as passionate as he is about conservation and communities.
Chris finds it hard to say no, thinking of the big picture with a strong “go for it” attitude. OceansWatch receives enquiries from many countries in the Caribbean, Asia, Pacific and Indian Ocean. Chris says, “If people show up in my inbox I try to find out what we can do to help.”
So what does OceansWatch do?
In partnership with coastal communities they develop marine conservation plans, sustainable livelihood projects and support primary school education. It is a registered charity (NZ, USA, Australia and the Solomon Islands) and an international not-for-profit organisation that works with sailors, divers, scientists and the public to help the environment and coastal communities in developing countries.
There are three main focus areas for OceansWatch: Marine Conservation, Sustainable Livelihoods and Education. All three focus areas are held together by the vision of “Healthy oceans and sustainable island communities.”
OceansWatch has a bottom up approach with the intention of the communities being the driving force and OceansWatch providing the skills and resources to empower them and build their capacity to achieve their aims of a sustainable future.
Current projects:
At present OceansWatch is involved in a few different projects. Just a few weeks ago, they heard that loggers had arrived on Rennell Island in the Solomon Islands, where OceansWatch has recently assisted a community to implement a Marine Protected Area. The loggers are trying to persuade the people there to let them take out 80% of the trees. This would be a disaster. The forest provides so much for the people including shelter from hurricanes, food, fuel, timber, wood for canoes and many other things. Without the forest the land would degrade and the soil erosion could ruin the reef. The unemployment rate on the island is 95%, and with no one being able to earn enough for school fees, the loggers make this very tempting. OceansWatch is hoping their Moana Arts alternative livelihood project will counter this temptation.
OceansWatch developed the Moana Arts program as part of their sustainable livelihood projects. Through this program, the local craftspeople can sell their crafts and products in developed countries. OceansWatch buys the handicraft from the artisans at a fair local selling price. They then sell them at markets in New Zealand and Australia. All the bags and carvings carry the name of the artist and have information about them so people can know where there money is going. All the profits are returned to the artisans. As part of the Moana Arts program OceansWatch wants to encourage a savings scheme so that if there is a natural disaster such as a hurricane then the community has some resources to cope.
In the next few weeks, OceansWatch will be setting off for this year’s expedition in Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands, from their headquarters and home in Whangarei. The yachts will be equipped with scientists, divers and a whole lot of gear. This year they are expanding on work already begun, especially focusing on a 30,000ha Marine Managed area in an isolated area in the Solomon Islands.
Values
OceansWatch recognises the importance of respecting each other and the people in the communities where they work. They invite people from all walks of life, race, sex or age to enrich their shared experiences as they fulfil their vision. They value positivity and having great experiences. They recognise that there is ample evidence that climate change, overfishing, pollution and other human effects on the environment, have already compromised the world’s oceans. They believe the time to take action is now, to alleviate and reverse these ecosystem pressures.
Challenge and Reward
Chris would love to see this not-for-profit organisation go global, helping every developing Island Community that can be reached by yachts.
His devotion to OceansWatch has a cost. Chris says, “It’s been very hard especially for my wife and children as I am away so much.” He acknowledges the hard times, as well as recognising that he has the power to make the world a better place. He facilitates the opportunity for people to give through OceansWatch in their own unique way, and now feels a strong responsibility to continue with this in spite of any difficulties, because the world urgently needs organisations like OceansWatch.
Adding your energy
How can you become involved in this fantastic organisation? OceansWatch runs on a shoestring compared to many organisations but they do have operating expenses. Last year they operated all of their International programs for less than the cost of a single Overseas Aid advisor in Papua New Guinea.
They are always happy to receive donations, whether it be monetary or even a yacht. They still always need volunteers, especially for the Solomon Island project, such as a nurses, sailors, divers, marine conservation graduates or Permaculture experts. Have a look at this link to learn more about being a volunteer.
There is a huge resource of cruising yachts sailing around the world. These “yachties” can work with OceansWatch to assist them with projects or to deliver cargo to and from various islands, especially where affordable and realistic transportation options do not exist for the locals. Reach out to your yachtie friends by sharing this opportunity to take part in a useful and meaningful opportunity.
Better world
OceansWatch facilitates a model in which people from different economic realities can work together towards a better world and healthier oceans.
A few days ago, OceansWatch was selected as a finalist for the 2012 World Expo prize. The theme of the Expo this year is “The living Ocean and Coast”, and they are 1 of 10 international finalists. About 7 million visitors are expected to attend the World Expo in Yeosu, Korea, from May 12 to August 12, 2012.
If he didn’t know it when he was “dropped off” on Karkar Island, he knows it now. “OceansWatch has changed me a lot. I now fully live my life’s purpose. I have met many fantastic people and it’s made me more spiritually aware.” While the pirates did not eventuate, there was gold to be found, a heart of gold.
Chris Bone
Chris is a professional yacht skipper and runs a yacht delivery company- Pacific Yacht Deliveries. He has been an environmental activist for many years, including 2 years as a skipper for Greenpeace on the yacht Vega. His background also includes organic farming and consulting, and marine marketing consultancy.
Check it Out
This is a very exciting time for all of us. We are introducing a brand new course that has been MONTHS in the making. It has never been run before.
The course is absolutely unique in the world, tying lessons of the outdoors into strategies and focus for life. If you are ready to make some changes in how you feel, this is a great opportunity. Mind of a Guide will accelerate your decisions and turn your ideas into something that you can use immediately and see the results directly.
The promise?: Go to sleep at night with a smile on your face for who you are and what you are doing with your life.
Mind of a Guide including Advanced Modules, 6 week online video course is now open. Advanced Modules are: Eddy Hopping through the End of the World which looks at the grief process and worry about the future, and Eddy Hopping for Moms created to acknowledge the unique and never-ending demand of being a mother. To find out more about the format and content, there is a
Course Information page
Or you can check out the videos to get a feel for the content and style of the course with the Energy for Life- 3 video series.
This is the first time this course has been run, and it has an unbelievably cool price for you guys. Honestly, price will not be the barrier to a ‘yes’. I’ve created a $2000 course with bonuses and as a first run special to you guys, our own It’s Not about the Bugs crew, it’s $97. If you’re even vaguely interested, take a look for yourself, because I will not offer this price again, by a long shot.
How do you know you might like to do this course? You are busy, but not in a good way. You used to be confident, but you are not at the moment. You are ready to feel good about the way you make decisions.
Registration ends on May 7th, which is only a few days away. The 6 week course begins May 14th.
$10 of every registration for Mind of a Guide will be donated to OceansWatch, because we think what they are doing is great.
From You
Re: Finding Your Voice
“I have a special song I sing every time I run a nasty rapid. It calms me and allows supreme concentration. I fully appreciate the American Indians songs of celebration, war, death, I fully understand how the singing works to feed the spirit and calm the body.” Daryl
p.s.
“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
Howard Thurman
Let friends know about Mind of a Guide
This course is going to open up lives for people. Registration will close on Monday. Thank you for passing this message along, so that the people who WANT to find this course, CAN find this course.
Ready for inspiration?
It’s Not about the Bugs is a biweekly natural living magazine that roars! Come join us.