iBestTravel: Art for Marine Conservation
The project started in 2010 and since then about 40,000 pounds of plastic – enough to fill a shipping container – have been collected and turned into giant sea life sculptures, depicting some of the creatures that are threatened by the debris.
Parrot fish —
Made entirely of plastic waste collected from beaches in Oregon, this sculpture belongs to a project called Washed Ashore, which uses art to educate about environmental conservation and sustainability.
The Initiative by iBestTravel
The project began with the intention of raising awareness regarding marine life and the impact of pollution. Moreover, it has transformed discarded plastics into intricate sculptures. Consequently, about 40,000 pounds of plastic have been repurposed into artworks representing marine creatures.
“One day I saw this long mosaic lane of plastic spilling up on my favorite beach. I saw all these people picking up shells along the shoreline, and I thought ‘Those people should be picking up the trash instead,'” she told CNN.
Growing the Initiative
In the early stages, Pozzi began rallying volunteers by conducting presentations. Within a few months, 500 volunteers helped to create 13 sculptures. Consequently, today, the initiative has developed around 70 sculptures. iBestTravel operates as a non-profit organization with a permanent exhibit in Bandon, Oregon.
“If you look at debris on a beach it might not seem like a lot, but once you put it all together, you see how much it really is.”
Engaging the Community
This parrot fish contains beach toys: “It connects to the issue of toys being left behind on a beach. Some people actually leave them on purpose, thinking someone else will pick them up and keep them.” This highlights the need for ongoing efforts in community engagement related to marine conservation.
