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INTRODUCTION

Project Seagrass is a global facing environmental charity devoted to the conservation of seagrass ecosystems through research, community and action.

Our three pillars define how we act. As such, we’re passionate about:

  • engaging the wider community on the presence and importance of seagrass ecosystems, the services they provide and current seagrass management issues,
  • supporting local stakeholders in the use of standardised scientific methodologies,
  • promoting and assisting with long-term monitoring of seagrass condition,
  • assisting with scientific research and supporting conservation and restoration measures that help facilitate the long-term resilience of seagrass ecosystems.
MISSION

To lead societal change to enable the recognition, recovery and resilience of seagrass ecosystems globally; that provide biodiversity, equitable and sustainable livelihoods, and planetary life support.

VISION

A world in which seagrass meadows are thriving, abundant and well managed for people and planet.

VALUES

Project Seagrass was created with the intention with reversing the loss of seagrass by turning research into effective conservation action and communication through partnerships with local communities and other stakeholders.

If our journey as an organisation has taught us anything, it is that achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and how we work together. As a dedicated interdisciplinary team we are passionate about securing a future for seagrass. We believe; indeed, experience has taught us, that only by bringing together a diverse range of identities, experiences and perspectives can we respond to global challenges.

PHILOSOPHY

“In the end, we will conserve only what we love, we will love only what we understand, and we will understand only what we are taught.“
Baba Dioum, Senegalese Conservationist
UNITED APPROACH
Project Seagrass was created with the approach of turning cutting-edge research into effective conservation action and education schemes, by collaborating with local communities and other stakeholders. As a dedicated team of seagrass scientists, we work to protect seagrass, and through seagrass, we support marine conservation more broadly.
SIMPLE BEGINNINGS

The mission, vision and values that Project Seagrass prides itself on evolved independently in the minds of its 3 founders. While pursuing masters degrees at Swansea University, Benjamin Jones and Richard Lilley each developed a passion for seagrass meadows. Both Ben and RJ quickly realised that these ecosystems were under threat and wanted to do something about it.

In May 2013, Ben created Project Seagrass as a platform to help deliver seagrass science to the public, using social media to help disseminate information. At the same time, RJ, and their supervisor at the time, Dr. Richard Unsworth were looking to strengthen seagrass science in Wales and started conceptualising the Welsh Seagrass Network.

After realising that they were all on a similar page, in July 2013 Ben, RJ and Richard drafted a formal constitution to make Project Seagrass an official association, an association committed to conserving seagrass meadows across the globe. Later, in 2015, now CEO Dr. Leanne Cullen-Unsworth joined the trio and co-founded Project Seagrass as a registered charity.

GOVERNANCE

Our commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

If the last seven years has taught us anything at Project Seagrass, it’s that achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and how we work together. We believe; indeed, experience has taught us, that only by bringing together a diverse range of identities, experiences and perspectives can we tackle complex crises. It is only though celebrating and harnessing diversity of experience that we will be able to work towards creating a future where seagrasses and society can truly prosper.  We evidenced our commitment to this when we organised the International Seagrass Biology Workshop in 2016. We included a Code of Conduct to ensure that our event was a safe space for all, no matter of their gender, gender identity, heritage, sexual orientation, or any other factor. It was the first and only event in the workshops 27-year history to do so.

Central to our ethos is a determination to ‘live our values’, and as we embark on this next chapter of our journey, we are committed to creating a work culture of belonging. A work environment where all team members are valued for who they are and given equal opportunity to grow and succeed, with no discrimination on the basis of their race, colour, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, or identification with any marginalised community in the countries where we work.

Diversity, equity and inclusion can look different in every country, and whilst we have worked to champion and celebrate our Welsh roots, we know we have work still do to if we wish to meet the ideals of the organisation we wish to become.

Project Seagrass is committed to taking clear, concerted steps to diversify our team:

  • We will develop inclusive position descriptions that open doors for different types of backgrounds, experiences, and education, and that use language which welcomes a more diverse group of candidates.
  • We will ensure our teams foster equity, inclusion, and belonging and that diverse perspectives are valued in decision-making.
  • We will intentionally coach and mentor diverse talent.
  • We will support the expansion of workplace groups to build community for underrepresented groups, and to elevate their voices within the organisation.

Whilst we acknowledge our team is currently small, we are expecting to grow our organisation rapidly, and therefore this commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion reflects our vision for the charity we wish to become.

Project Seagrass is committed to taking steps to be more inclusive in our work:

  • We will ensure that our team adheres to our Code of Conduct for all events
  • We will endeavour to advertise events and volunteer opportunities to all members of society.

We will seek to transform our online platforms to ensure that they use inclusive language and imagery, that is needed to foster a more diverse marine conservation community.

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Trustees’ annual report
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2016/17

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Trustees’ annual report
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2017/18

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Trustees’ annual report
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2018/19

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Trustees’ annual report
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2019/20

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Trustees’ annual report
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2020/21

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Trustees’ annual report
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2021/22

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