Detroit Boxing Club youth visit Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary – thealpenanews.com

Collaborative Youth Program at Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary Advances Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: A Partnership for Youth Development and Environmental Stewardship

A cooperative initiative between the Detroit Boxing Club (DBC), a youth mentorship program, and the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary (TBNMS) provided students with an immersive educational experience focused on environmental science, cultural heritage, and personal development. This partnership exemplifies a multi-stakeholder approach to achieving several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including those related to education, environmental conservation, and social equity.

Program Objectives and Alignment with SDG 4: Quality Education

The Detroit Boxing Club is a mentorship organization serving youth aged 8 to 18, with a primary mission of providing life skills and diverse experiences beyond their immediate urban environment. The field trip to TBNMS was designed to broaden students’ horizons and expose them to potential career paths in science and conservation.

This initiative directly supports SDG 4: Quality Education, particularly Target 4.7, which calls for ensuring all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development. The program provided hands-on, experiential learning opportunities concerning:

• The Great Lakes ecosystem
• Maritime history and cultural heritage
• Environmental science and data collection

Educational and Scientific Activities

The multi-day program included a structured itinerary of activities designed to be both engaging and educational. Students participated in:

1. Snorkel Training: Participants received instruction in an outdoor training tank at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center, building confidence and practical skills for underwater exploration.
2. Shipwreck Observation: A glass-bottom boat tour allowed students to view the historic shipwrecks preserved within the sanctuary, offering a direct connection to the region’s maritime heritage.
3. Marine Debris Monitoring: Students engaged in a citizen science project at North Point Nature Preserve, contributing to a national environmental database.

Contribution to SDG 14: Life Below Water and Citizen Science

A key component of the visit was the marine debris monitoring excursion, a hands-on activity that directly contributes to SDG 14: Life Below Water. By participating in the cleanup and data collection, students actively supported Target 14.1, which aims to prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds.

The monitoring process followed a scientific protocol established by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA):

• A 100-meter section of beach is established at one of five monitoring sites.
• Random transects are selected for detailed analysis.
• All debris found is removed, documented, and categorized (e.g., plastics, metals, glass, rubber).
• Data is recorded on a worksheet detailing beach conditions and findings.
• The collected data is submitted to a national marine debris database used by NOAA to track coastal health.

This citizen science project provides valuable data for national research and instills a sense of environmental responsibility in the participants.

Fostering Partnerships and Inclusivity (SDG 10, 11, & 17)

The collaboration is a powerful example of SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, as it unites a community-based youth organization (DBC), a federal agency (NOAA/TBNMS), and an external community partner who initiated the connection. This cross-sectoral partnership leverages the unique strengths of each organization to create a profound impact.

Furthermore, the program addresses:

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: By providing youth from Detroit with access to unique educational and recreational opportunities, the program helps bridge the gap in experiential learning.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The initiative strengthens the links between urban communities and the nation’s natural and cultural heritage, fostering a broader appreciation for their protection (Target 11.4).

Outcomes and Future Outlook

The visit was reported as a significant success, with students demonstrating high levels of engagement and enthusiasm. The partnership has proven to be an effective model for community outreach and education. Both the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and the Detroit Boxing Club are exploring opportunities to expand the program, with the goal of bringing more students to the sanctuary in subsequent years to continue this impactful work toward sustainable development.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  The article highlights the Detroit Boxing Club (DBC), which is described not as a sports club but as a “youth mentoring program” for ages 8 to 18. Its stated goal is to “train our kids for life” by providing them with “different experiences that they don’t know about” and “giving them that push to succeed in life.” The field trip to the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary (TBNMS) is an educational experience designed to teach students about the Great Lakes ecosystem, marine science, and local heritage (shipwrecks), directly contributing to inclusive and equitable quality education.

• SDG 14: Life Below Water

  This goal is central to the article’s activities. The students’ visit to the TBNMS focuses on learning about the marine sanctuary, the Great Lakes ecosystem, and viewing shipwrecks. More directly, the students participate in a “marine debris monitoring” excursion. This activity involves cleaning up a beach, documenting the debris found, and contributing the data to a national database used by NOAA to “track the health and quality of beaches.” This is a direct action to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article explicitly emphasizes the collaborative nature of the initiative. The partnership was not just between the DBC and TBNMS (NOAA) but was initiated by a “community partner” who saw the potential in combining the two organizations. The article quotes Sophie Stuart from TBNMS, who states, “I think one of the incredible things is that this was a cooperative agreement that came from a community partner… We see the work you’re doing at NOAA. We see the work that they’re doing at DBG and we want to combine these two organizations’.” This highlights a multi-stakeholder partnership between a civil society organization (DBC), a public institution (TBNMS/NOAA), and the community to achieve common goals.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 4.7: Education for sustainable development and global citizenship

   By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development. The article describes how students are “learning more about Thunder Bay,” the “Great Lakes ecosystem,” and participating in “citizen science” through marine debris monitoring. This hands-on educational experience directly provides knowledge and skills related to environmental science and sustainable lifestyles.

2. Target 14.1: Reduce marine pollution

   By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris. The students’ activity of “marine debris monitoring” at North Point Nature Preserve is a direct contribution to this target. They “remove and document any debris” found on the beach, which is a form of cleanup and pollution reduction.

3. Target 14.5: Conserve coastal and marine areas

   By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information. The entire activity takes place within the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, which is a protected marine area. The educational and monitoring activities within the sanctuary support its conservation mission and raise awareness of its importance.

4. Target 17.17: Encourage effective partnerships

   Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. The article details the “cooperative agreement” between the Detroit Boxing Club (civil society), the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary/NOAA (public), and an unnamed community partner. The plan to “expand their bandwidths to bring more youth to TBNMS next summer” demonstrates the ongoing and developing nature of this partnership.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for Target 4.7

  The article implies an indicator through the description of the educational program’s content. The curriculum includes learning to snorkel, viewing shipwrecks via a glass-bottom boat, and understanding the Great Lakes ecosystem. The implementation of this “citizen science project” for youth is a qualitative indicator of education for sustainable development being mainstreamed into non-formal education.

• Indicator 14.1.1b: Plastic debris density

  The article provides specific, measurable indicators related to marine debris. The monitoring process is described in detail: “We have a 100-meter established section of beach and then we choose at random four or five meter transects.” The data collected includes categorizing debris (“plastics, metals, woods, glass, rubber, and other”) and quantifying it (“We average between 10 to 20 pieces”). This data is then contributed to a “national marine debris database that NOAA… uses to track the health and quality of beaches,” directly aligning with the methodology for measuring plastic debris density.

• Indicator for Target 17.17

  The existence of the described partnership serves as an indicator. The article provides the value and structure of this multi-stakeholder collaboration by identifying the partners involved (DBC, TBNMS/NOAA, community partner) and its purpose (combining youth mentorship with environmental education). The commitment to continue and expand the program (“bring more youth to TBNMS next summer”) is a further indicator of the partnership’s effectiveness and sustainability.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: thealpenanews.com