Guardians of the ocean

It sounds like a best selling novel, but in reality, it's the distinction being earned by five local schools for their stewardship of the seas.

Carmel Middle School, Carmel River School, Monterey Bay Charter, Ord Terrace Elementary and Pacific Grove Middle School are being honored practically as we speak. Rep. Sam Farr was scheduled to be headlining the ceremony this morning at Carmel River School. Each school has shown a commitment to protecting the world ocean by participating in reduce/reuse/recycle activities to limit the amount of waste that goes into our landfills, banning latex balloons on school campus, and reducing single use plastics in school lunches.

Funds for the project were provided by NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. To receive funds, a school makes a commitment to be an ‘Ocean Guardian’ by proposing a school- or community-based conservation project. After successful implementation, the school receives a banner designating it as an Ocean Guardian School.

Four of the five schools each received a $6,000 grant from NOAA. Ord Terrace requested only $3,500 and received that amount, according to NOAA. It was the second $6,000 award for Carmel Middle School, which has now received $12,000.

And for those schools who would like to become Guardians of the Ocean, here's instructions on how to do it!