SCUBA September 2021 Issue 118 | Page 9

New ! A place for projects

WANT TO DIVE OR SNORKEL WITH A PURPOSE ? OR MAYBE YOU WOULD LIKE TO share your marine conservation project to enable others in the community to take part . Now you can , as BSAC has just launched its new marine conservation projects and events hub to showcase initiatives being organised within the our community .
From a day out litterpicking to an ambitious citizen science project , the web section brings together club and member-run marine projects and events all in one place so that other members can also get involved .
BSAC ’ s Environment Team is now inviting more clubs , members and centres to add their own projects and events to the online listing . It forms part of a wider piece of strategic work supporting members to get more actively involved in underwater conservation and heritage .
BSAC Environment Lead Jane Maddocks said the hub will enable more divers to connect on marine environment projects . “ We know that the BSAC community understands the importance of protecting our seas , but it can be hard to find opportunities you want to engage with . We hope this new section will help change that by encouraging more positive connections within the community for the greater good of the environment .”
If you have a project or event you would like to share with the BSAC community or would like to find a project to get involved with , please visit bsac . com / conservationprojects

Benefit of the Month

Advice and support

from HQ

AS WELL AS FROM YOUR OWN CLUB and your regional team , did you know that there ’ s also a wealth of advice and support available from the central BSAC HQ team ? On hand to advise , guide and support you on every aspect of your membership , the team are there to ensure you get the very best out of your all-round BSAC experience . Here ’ s just a snapshot of how you can benefit from BSAC HQ : to be doing something positive for our environment , waters and wildlife . We will be adding more dates to our calendar for more litter picking .”
Since its launch , the Million Mile Clean campaign has mobilised 77,928 volunteers to clean a total 871,126 miles of trails , coastline and seabed across the UK . If momentum continues , the one-million-mile target will likely have been cleaned by the end of the summer . Volunteers completing cleans up have collectively removed and recovered a staggering 185,004 kilos of rubbish from our environment .
To organise or take part in an underwater and / or beach clean in 2021 , go to bsac . com / mmc
Remember to share your stories with us on social media using the hashtags # BSACdivers and # MillionMileClean or contact us at environment @ bsac . com

Clean-up at Babs

Check out the latest BSAC YouTube video where BSAC divers Ollie Velasco , Charlie Young and Matthew White head to Babbacombe Bay to carry out an underwater litter pick . They share some tips to ‘ dive with a purpose ’. Scan QR code or go to bsac . com / underwaterlitterpick
■ Supporting your membership – whether you are a new member or renewing for another year , BSAC HQ can help with any aspect of your membership and benefits .
■ Help for clubs – the team are also there to support Branch Officers and instructors in the day-to-day running of their club , from support for clubs short of active instructors or those battling with a pandemic-created trainee backlog , to promotional materials for Try Dive events , welfare issues and managing club activities . bsac . com / supportforclubs
■ Diving and training – this is what BSAC is all about – HQ has a wealth of experience , skills and knowledge to help you enjoy the very best diving and snorkelling , and successfully progress with your training . From course bookings , qualification cards and medical issues to safety information and incident reporting , HQ can help . bsac . com / training
■ Online resources – there ’ s a wealth of free information and practical guidance for members , instructors and clubs that is easy to access and could have all the answers you are looking for ! bsac . com / support
BSAC CEO Mary Tetley said : “ It ’ s fantastic to see our sport and club life opening up again . However , we know the last 18 months have created new challenges for clubs and members alike , so please do get in touch for any help and support you may need .”
Email , direct message or pick up the phone - the BSAC HQ team are here to help you get the most out of your membership .
For more information , go to bsac . com / heretohelp
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