Most marine litter isn’t a result of human activity out at sea. 80% of it starts its journey upstream, from land.
However, there’s very little data on where exactly this litter comes from, or what type of litter it is.
A new citizen science programme Upstream Battle has been launched to identify the most common on-land sources and types of litter, with the help of students, teachers and volunteers of all ages. It’s 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.
Image: Keep NZ Beautiful