Monica Hartlief

Wading birds and healthy seas — it’s all connected. In Rio Lagartos, mangroves provide essential habitat for birds like herons, egrets, and flamingos. But these coastal forests do more than support wildlife above (and in) the water — they also protect the marine environment by filtering runoff, preventing erosion, and providing nursery grounds for fish and other sea life. Protecting mangroves means protecting ocean ecosystems. Conservation helps the whole coast thrive. #RioLagartos #MangroveConservation #WadingBirds #MarineEcosystems #ProtectNature

Each year, thousands of Caribbean flamingos 🦩 (Phoenicopterus ruber) nest in the wetlands of Río Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, the largest colony in North America. The thriving population is a powerful indicator of healthy coastal ecosystems. Behind the scenes, ongoing conservation efforts protect this critical habitat: Mangrove preservation and restoration Protection of endangered sea turtle nesting sites Monitoring of bird populations Community engagement in sustainable practices Flamingos depend on clean, healthy wetlands to feed and raise their young. Protecting places like Río Lagartos doesn’t just help one species—it safeguards an entire web of marine and coastal life. #Oceanissues #MarineConservation #Flamingos #RíoLagartos #CoastalEcosystems #ConservationWorks

Happy World Penguin Day! 🐧 Say hello to the Gentoo penguin, the fastest swimmer of all penguins, reaching up to 36 km/h! Found on sub-Antarctic islands, they rely on healthy oceans for survival. As climate change and plastic pollution threaten their habitat, protecting our marine ecosystems has never been more important. Let’s keep their waters wild. #WorldPenguinDay #GentooPenguin #MarineConservation #ProtectOurOceans

Loe Bar, Cornwall — a rare shingle bank where freshwater meets sea. This natural barrier protects the Loe, Cornwall’s largest natural lake, from the Atlantic. It’s home to unique coastal and marine life — but it’s fragile. Protecting places like this means preserving biodiversity, preventing erosion, and keeping our coastlines wild. #LoeBar #Cornwall #CoastalConservation #MarineConservation #ProtectOurOceans #NatureNeedsYou #LeaveNoTrace

The Legend of the Bedruthan Steps Legend has it a giant named Bedruthan once used these towering rock stacks as stepping stones across the bay. Though likely a Victorian invention to charm tourists, the story adds a mythical layer to this rugged stretch of Cornish coast. Today, Bedruthan is more than just legend—it's a powerful reminder of the wild beauty of the coastline and the importance of protecting it for future generations. #BedruthanSteps #CoastalConservation #Cornwall #ProtectWhatYouLove

Want to protect our oceans? Start in the classroom. When schools join citizen science projects like the The Big Microplastic Survey, students become real-world scientists—heading to local beaches and waterways to collect, sort, and record microplastics. They learn how to identify pollution types, analyze data, and contribute to a global database that helps researchers understand the scale and sources of microplastics on our beaches. Hands-on science with a global impact. @microplasticsurvey #OceanConservation #CitizenScience #PlasticPollution

Sleek, fast, and vital to reef ecosystems, the grey reef shark patrols the waters of Half Moon Caye, Belize. Growing up to 8 feet long, they help maintain marine balance but face threats from overfishing. Classified as “Vulnerable”, their survival depends on conservation efforts. Respect, protect, and admire—our oceans need these apex predators. 🐬🌍 #GreyReefShark #HalfMoonCaye #VulnerableSpecies #OceanConservation #ProtectOurSharks

On Half Moon Caye, red-footed booby chicks are hatching—fluffy, wide-eyed, and growing into the sleek seabirds that soar across the open ocean. As part of Belize’s first marine protected area, Half Moon Caye shelters one of the largest red-footed booby colonies in the Western Hemisphere. Nestled in Ziricote trees, they thrive among the waves and sea breeze. Protecting marine birds means protecting our oceans. #InternationalBirdDay #RedFootedBooby #HalfMoonCaye #ProtectOurOceans

Checking out a beach at the entrance to the Hamble river in Hampshire, UK as a site for some The Big Microplastic Survey data sampling. Nice clear visible strandline, a few larger stones, but the sediment should be fine. Looking forward to getting some data from this location as it has not as yet been surveyed. #microplastics #citizenscience #plasticpollution