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Earth Day 2024 with Blackbough
and Project CURMA

A Wave of Change: Dive into Blackbough’s Beach Cleanup and Fundraiser for Endangered Pawikan (Sea Turtles)

In an inspiring display of environmental advocacy, over 170 volunteers united with Blackbough Swim to remove a truckload of trash from the nesting beaches of endangered sea turtles in Bacnotan, La Union. The one-day coastal cleanup to mark Earth Month celebrations underscored our dedication to ecological preservation.

Building on the success of our inaugural cleanup in 2023, which saw over 100 sacks of trash removed from Malinao Beach, Siargao, this year’s event marks our continued commitment to marine conservation, a core tenet of our sustainability journey.

The shores of Bacnotan, a sanctuary for the endangered “pawikan” (sea turtles), were the focal point of this initiative. As part of our ongoing mission to champion marine conservation, we joined forces with CURMA (Coastal Underwater Resource Management Actions), whose leadership in marine turtle conservation in the Philippines has been crucial for coastal forest restoration and waste management practices to protect this vital habitat.

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A Day of Purposeful Action

Blackbough Swim didn't just do a cleanup; it was a comprehensive day of environmental education and action. Volunteers did more than just clear trash—they learned, they contributed, they made a difference.

The cleanup proper kicked off the day bright and early at 6 AM, with volunteers rigorously scouring the beach to eradicate harmful waste and segregating it for proper disposal. The team conducted the cleanup on the coastal grounds surrounding Alpas, the official hatchery partner of CURMA in Bacnotan, home to one of La Union’s protected sea turtle nesting grounds. Volunteers removed over 50 sacks of trash and dangerous debris in an hour, including plastic waste, shoes, tires, and barbed wire. By keeping this habitat clean for ocean wildlife, baby sea turtles can safely return to the ocean during the hatching season.

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Beyond the Beach: An Earth Day Celebration Collection

Beyond the beach cleanup, the Blackbough Swim community made an impact from all over the globe. We ran a fundraiser sale ‘Earth Day 2024 Collection’ for CURMA for the month of April. Each sale of two bikini sets supported a day of care for rescued sea turtles in La Union, Philippines.

After committing 10% of net profits from the Earth Day 2024 Collection, we are proud to announce that we are donating over $1,000 to CURMA in support of our sea turtle conservation efforts. This donation will go a long way - the entire care and rehabilitation of 15 turtle patients. This achievement is a testament to the collective effort of our community, and our commitment to making a positive impact on marine conservation. We extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported this cause by purchasing from the Earth Day collection. Together, we're making a difference for our oceans and marine wildlife.

For more information about Blackbough Swim and our sustainability initiatives, please visit our commitment page.