Last weekend, in celebration of World Ocean Day 2026, I had the opportunity to travel to Rayong with members of Waste to Worth and Currents Collective to take part in a seagrass restoration project in partnership with Onyx Hospitality Group.
While many people are familiar with coral reefs and mangrove forests, seagrass meadows often go unnoticed despite being one of the most important marine ecosystems in the world. Seagrass provides habitat and nursery grounds for countless marine species, helps improve water quality and captures carbon 35 times more than normal tropical forests. Unfortunately, these ecosystems are declining globally due to rising water temperatures due to climate change. As someone who has led seagrass restoration efforts for several years outside of school, it was inspiring to involve the school community and spend World Ocean Day taking direct action together to help restore these valuable habitats.
We planted seagrass seedlings and learned about the importance behind these restoration efforts on specific ecosystems. While planting may seem simple, restoring a seagrass meadow requires patience, monitoring and collaboration between many different groups. One of the most meaningful aspects of the trip was seeing people from different backgrounds come together with a shared purpose. Students, government agencies and corporate partners all worked side by side, demonstrating how collective action can create a positive impact on our environment.
Beyond the restoration work itself, the experience reinforced the importance of education and awareness. Many environmental challenges can feel overwhelming, but opportunities like this remind us that meaningful change often begins with small actions and a willingness to get involved. The work does not end in Rayong. Through Waste to Worth and Currents Collective, I hope to continue bringing these conversations into school communities and creating opportunities for students to engage with marine conservation firsthand. By sharing knowledge and experiences, we can inspire more young people to become active stewards of our oceans and understand the important role they can play in protecting them.
World Ocean Day serves as a reminder that the health of our oceans and our environment affects us all. Whether through restoration projects, reducing waste or simply learning more about marine ecosystems, everyone has a role to play. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of this experience and for the support of the many organisations and individuals who made it possible. Seeing so many people come together to protect our oceans was both inspiring and encouraging, and I hope to continue taking part in similar conservation initiatives in the future.
