Help fight the upstream battle and keep our waterways clean

17 Feb 2022

Many of us have seen the disturbing photos of sea life tangled in rubbish floating in the ocean, but did you know that most of this pollution is generated on land? Eighty per cent of marine litter starts its journey upstream from land and we all have a part to play in reducing it.

Resene is proud to support Keep New Zealand Beautiful in its Upstream Battle citizen science programme which aims to get students, teachers, volunteers and other citizen scientists across the country collecting litter at key upstream sites, to provide a better understanding of the causes of ocean pollution.

Despite the huge environmental issue that ocean litter causes, there’s little scientific data about this issue. To create accurate records Upstream Battlers are encouraged to collect data and litter from their local waterways. Keep New Zealand Beautiful provides the resources to help Upstream Battlers gather the data. This project is a great opportunity to gain training and experience in citizen science, and the programme links to a diverse range of learning areas in the New Zealand curriculum and United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. 

Sign up here to get involved. Upstream Battle - Keep New Zealand Beautiful (knzb.org.nz)

Wellington painter Ellen Coup’s artwork of Raukawa Moana (Cook Strait) was painted using Resene Cutty Sark, Resene Subzero, Resene Awol, Resene Nobel, Resene Bastille, Resene Titania, Resene Cigar, Resene Bush, Resene Turbo, Resene Rock N Roll and Resene Bondi Blue.

Published: 17 Feb 2022