Calling all oceans champions: applications now open for Ottawa Wave Makers 2016

WWF

We want you to become a part of Ottawa Wave Makers, an initiative that raises awareness about Canada’s oceans in our nation’s capital.
In 2015, WWF-Canada partnered with local innovation experts from Impact Hub Ottawa to develop this first-of-its-kind microgrant and bring it to life in the city of Ottawa. We asked people to get creative and work together to find innovative ways to connect people to our oceans – and the results were incredible.
Seven amazing projects received funding under the Ottawa Wave Makers microgrant last year, and so far these projects have reached thousands of people across the city.
Check out some of the Wave Makers projects to get inspired:

BUYING SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD IN OTTAWA: A VIDEO GUIDE TO MAKING LOCAL CHOICES

Sonia Vani created an educational video and classroom project with the students of Avalon Public School. Watch the video.

Sonia Vani with Avalon Public School students for Ottawa Wave Makers 2015
Local communications expert Sonia Vani (center) worked with two Grade 8 classes at Avalon Public School to develop a sustainable seafood awareness video for the Ottawa Wave Makers 2015 grant. © Sonia Vani

HOME AT SEA: SENTIMENTAL STORIES FROM AN OCEAN IN CRISIS

Catherine Brunelle and Kevin Johns produced an hour-long podcast about personal connections to the ocean, featuring the works of local writers. Listen to the podcast.

H2O: HOUSE OF PAINT TO OCEANS

Patrick McCormack and House of PainT organized and facilitated graffiti and slam poetry workshops to bring a new approach to understanding our oceans and their impact. View the poetry and graffiti albums.

House of PainT workshop facilitator paints a dolphin on a mural as part of their Ottawa Wave Makers project.
House of PainT workshop facilitator paints a dolphin on a mural as aspiring graffiti artists watch on. © House of PainT

OCEANS ALIVE

Hannah Beach and The Dandelion Dance Company created a thought-provoking dance and multimedia video to explore the significance of our oceans artistically. View their performance.

OCEANS TO RIVERS AND BACK AGAIN: THE OTTAWA RIVER’S ENDANGERED AMERICAN EEL

Megan Murphy and Ottawa Riverkeeper hosted an educational community event to bring attention to the largely unknown eel population in the Ottawa River. View a short video summary of the event.

A young participant holds up a coloured drawing of the Ottawa River eel.
This young workshop participant solves some of the mysteries of the elusive Ottawa River eel. © Ottawa Riverkeeper

OLI’S OCEAN ADVENTURES

CarolAnne Black created an illustrated children’s book about a child’s discovery of the oceans and his connection to them. Visit the book’s website.

SHRIMPS MATTER

Tabatha Soltay and Jean-Philippe Veilleux created an interactive game about the interconnected and fragile nature of our ocean’s ecosystems. Visit the game’s website.
What are you waiting for? Come and be part of Ottawa Wave Makers for 2016!
Applications are open until April 30, 2016. Learn more on the Ottawa Wave Makers webpage.
Keep up with all the latest news: #OTTWaveMakers.