On World Ocean Day 2025, the NiD4OCEAN project had the privilege of participating in a dynamic and inspiring family lecture at the Rotterdam Natural History Museum. Delivered by Willemijn Velseboer from Deltares and a valued partner in the NiD4OCEAN initiative, the event brought marine protection and restoration to life in an engaging, hands-on way.
The session highlighted the importance of ecosystem services, showing how healthy oceans are vital to humanity’s wellbeing, and demonstrated how our actions shape, study, and sometimes harm marine environments. Designed to engage all ages, the lecture combined captivating storytelling with interactive experiments that allowed participants to explore underwater life and the delicate processes that sustain it.
Families responded with enthusiasm, sharing their interest in supporting ocean-friendly initiatives and visiting marine reserves and educational centres. Reflecting on the event, Willemijn Velseboer shared, “One memorable moment was when a young child approached me after the lecture to say he wanted to become a marine biologist when he grew up, reminding me how such outreach can inspire future generations.”
The museum recognized the lecture as a significant contribution to its educational mission, underlining how such events spark important conversations, encourage sustainable actions, and inspire future generations to care for our oceans.
Looking ahead, this outreach event not only helped raise awareness of ocean protection but also generated interest in the ongoing work of NiD4OCEAN, supporting the project’s broader mission to reconcile the expansion of offshore renewables with ocean conservation efforts.