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Take 3 – A Clean Beach Initiative wins the inaugural Taronga Green Grant - April 14 2011

Take 3 is a not-for-profit organisation formed by marine scientists, surfers and ocean lovers in 2009. Their idea is designed to inspire people to take away three pieces of rubbish every time they visit a beach. 

This idea responds to an obvious need for the safety of wildlife, in fact we see evidence every week of the impact that careless human waste has on marine and coastal species that come to the Taronga Wildlife Hospitals in need of emergency care and rehabilitation. It is also clear that the vast plastic rafts floating in our oceans are releasing environmental pollutants that endanger the health of all marine species, the ecosystem itself and of course the people who depend on the ecosystem.

While the issue is an old one, the Take 3 model is an innovative way of reducing this type of pollution through direct action, and most importantly by inspiring each and every Australian to take action themselves. In fact once you get in the Take 3 habit you can apply this anywhere.

The Taronga Foundation provided the $50,000 grant to put Take 3 in to action. It perfectly complements the Taronga Foundation’s Conservation Field Grants program which has put over $300,000 into in-situ conservation projects across the region and in Australia in just over two years. Our Zoos are also offering to showcase Take 3 to our 1.6 million visitors each year. 

About the Award

Taronga offered $50,000 in the 2010 Taronga Green Grant to fund the best and most innovative project to inspire Australian communities to live more sustainably and have a positive impact on our wildlife.

The 2011 Finalists

Taronga’s Conservation Committee received 209 applications from across Australia in 2010 which were accesses by a panel including top environmentalists.