Why Ocean Conservation Starts in Your Own Backyard
Published on 4/20/25
Written by Jessica Colla
As a professional environmental scientist and marine science educator, I've spent my entire professional life working to protect both land and sea. These two realms are often treated separately, but in truth, they are inseparably connected.
When I lived in Hawai‘i, I learned about the beautiful concept known as "Mauka to Makai" — meaning "from the mountains to the sea." It's the idea that everything that happens on the land, from high mountain forests, volcanic peaks and coastal villages, inevitably impacts the ocean that surrounds us. This wisdom, rooted in generations of stewardship and observation, isn't just relevant to Hawai‘i — it's a universal truth. Every raindrop, every action, and every (carbon) footprint on the land eventually finds its way to the ocean!
This Earth Day, I invite you to explore how our choices — no matter where we live — ripple across the planet, and how each of us can play a role in protecting the precious web of life from the tallest mountain to the deepest reef.
Lets dive in!
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Mauka to Makai: A Universal Lesson
In traditional Hawaiian culture, land and sea are viewed as one interconnected system. Ancient Hawaiians understood that protecting upland forests was just as crucial for survival as conserving the reefs. Rainwater filtered through native forests, nourished taro patches and fishponds, and ultimately kept the coral reefs healthy. The well-being of Hawaiian communities depended on maintaining balance across the entire watershed (ahupua'a) — from mauka to makai.
One inspiring example of this ancient wisdom in action is the use of loko iʻa, or traditional fishponds. These ingenious aquaculture systems relied on clean, steady freshwater flow from the land's rivers and streams to sustain thriving fish populations for the community. Protecting upland areas was essential to the productivity of these coastal ecosystems — a powerful reminder that sustainability begins far upstream.
Today, modern conservation efforts in Hawai‘i and around the world are returning to this holistic approach, recognizing that we can't protect the ocean without protecting the land first.
Land and Sea: A Scientific Perspective
While Hawaiian tradition offers beautiful guidance, modern science echoes the same fundamental truth: land and ocean ecosystems are inextricably linked. In fact, science gives us the tools to understand exactly how water, pollution, and nutrients travel across ecosystems — and how human activities on land can directly affect marine environments.
A watershed is an area of land where all the water — from rainfall and snowmelt — drains into a common outlet like a river, bay, or ocean. Every town, farm, forest, and city lies within a watershed. No matter how far inland you are, YOU are connected to the sea!
Did you know? More than 80% of marine pollution comes from land-based activities according to the United Nations Environment Programme.
Pollution doesn’t magically appear offshore — it travels. Carried by rivers, rain, and wind. Urban runoff can transport up to 70% of toxic chemicals into coastal waters, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. Agricultural runoff introduces fertilizers and pesticides, leading to massive hypoxic dead zones — low-oxygen areas that now cover more than 245,000 square kilometers of ocean worldwide (NOAA).
In short: when we protect rivers, forests, wetlands, and farmland, we’re also safeguarding our coral reefs, kelp forests, and ocean fisheries.
How Land Choices Impact the Ocean
Everyday decisions on land create real, tangible consequences for marine ecosystems. Here's just a few examples how:
Plastic Waste
Each year, about 20 million metric tons of plastic enters the oceans (IUCN). Much of this debris originates from litter on city streets, landfills, and stormwater systems — not beaches and boats. A single plastic bag dropped in a parking lot could end up in the stomach of a sea turtle thousands of miles away!
Agricultural Runoff
The fertilizers that help crops grow can trigger harmful algal blooms when they wash into rivers and coastal waters. These blooms block sunlight, deplete oxygen, and create "dead zones" where few marine creatures can survive. Poisonous pesticides and herbicides can also pollute the sea, killing organisms that cannot tolerate the toxicity.
Deforestation & habitat loss
Trees and plants aren’t just pretty — they stabilize the soil! Without them, heavy rains wash massive amounts of sediment into rivers and out to sea! This “sedimentation” clouds the water, suffocating coral reefs, kelp forests and seagrass beds critical to marine biodiversity.
Urbanization & coastal development
Paved surfaces like buildings, streets, parking lots and sidewalks prevent water from soaking naturally into the ground. Instead, rainwater rushes across these surfaces, gathering oil, trash, and chemicals, then dumping them straight into our waterways without filtration and absorption by the soil.
Small Changes, Big Impact: How You Can Protect the Ocean from Anywhere
The good news? Every positive choice you make sends a ripple of change downstream. Here are some simple ways to help:
Plant Native Species:
Landscaping with plants native to your area reduces runoff, supports local wildlife (think pollinators!), and keeps our waterways clean. Check with your local garden store for recommendations.
Choose Sustainable Seafood:
Support healthy ocean ecosystems by looking for certifications like the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) or refer to resources like Seafood Watch when you buy seafood.
Reduce Single-Use Plastics:
Every time you use a reusable water bottle, shopping bag, cutlery set or straw, you use one less piece of plastic that could end up in the ocean (or other vulnerable landscapes like rivers, lakes, forests, fields, etc.)!
Support Watershed Conservation:
Volunteer with or donate to organizations that protect rivers, wetlands, and mangrove forests — they’re the ocean’s first line of defense against pollution, erosion and runoff. Ironically, they are also OUR first lines of defense against climate change and biodiversity loss!
Be a Conscious Consumer:
Remember: you vote with your dollar! Choose to purchase only eco-friendly products, support sustainable businesses, and regularly advocate for companies to reduce their environmental impact.
Promote Green Infrastructure:
It’s not just our consumer choices that can make a difference. Reach out to your local representatives and encourage them to make sustainable decisions that impact your region. For example, ask your city to invest in rain gardens, permeable pavements, recycling and redemption centers, and urban green spaces that naturally filter stormwater. Not only is it good for the ocean, but it makes for a more beautiful place to live!
Protect the land, air & sea this earth day!
Earth Day reminds us that this beautiful planet is one giant interconnected system. The ocean isn’t isolated from the mountains, the forests, the deserts, or our neighborhoods. Everything — every drop of water, every gust of wind, every fallen leaf — is part of a larger story. This Earth Day (and every day!) I invite you to act with this connection in mind.
Like the Hawaiian concept of Mauka to Makai teaches us, to care for our oceans we must start with the land. By protecting the forests, rivers, wetlands and even our own backyards, we are also safeguarding the multitude of animals that call the ocean home!
Happy Earth Day everyone! 🌎
Take Action for Earth Day!
Take the Pledge: Reduce plastic use in your daily life.
Volunteer: Join a local watershed or beach clean-up event.
Learn More: Support organizations like Ocean Conservancy, Surfrider Foundation, and The Nature Conservancy.
Share Knowledge: Share this article to help others see the connection between their actions and the health of the sea!
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