CONSERVATION Training / half day workshop
Understand Marine Debris & Impacts
Understand where marine debris comes from, and where it goes.
Plastic pollution is now found throughout the world’s oceans, from heavily populated coastlines to some of the most remote marine environments on Earth. 8 million pieces of plastic find their way into our ocean daily. Marine debris and marine plastics are one of the biggest environmental challenge of our days, responsible for the death of millions of marine organisms every years and threatening our health by finding its way back to us.
What is the current situation ? Can can be done about it ? Where to start ? Let’s discuss it all..
In this half-day workshop, you’ll explore the science, sources and impacts of marine debris, with a particular focus on plastic pollution and coastal ecosystems.
You’ll combine classroom learning with a guided beach clean-up and marine-debris audit, giving you the opportunity to put the theory into practice and investigate the types and potential sources of pollution found along a local coastline.
This session is designed for both beginners and participants who already have some knowledge of environmental conservation.
Half day · Classroom workshop, theory + discussion · Beach clean up & waste audit · Small groups
What you’ll learn
By the end of this course, you’ll have a better understanding of:
- Marine debris — understand what marine debris is and how it enters coastal and ocean environments.
- Plastic pollution — explore why plastic is particularly persistent and problematic in marine environments.
- Sources of marine debris — investigate how land-based activities, fisheries, shipping, tourism and other human activities contribute to marine pollution.
- Culprits — understand statistics per country, habitants, per industries, per usage, per discarded waste, etc. to obtain a greater perspective on the waste culprits.
- Debris pathways — understand how waste can move from streets, rivers and coastlines into the ocean.
- Impacts on marine life — explore entanglement, ingestion, habitat impacts and other consequences of marine debris.
- Microplastics — understand how larger plastic items can break down into increasingly smaller particles.
- Coastal ecosystems — examine how marine debris can affect beaches, mangroves, seagrass beds and coral reefs.
- Marine-debris monitoring — learn how collecting and categorizing debris can help identify pollution patterns and potential sources.
- Waste management — understand why preventing waste at its source is more effective than simply removing it after it reaches the ocean.
- Solutions — explore what governments, businesses, communities and individuals can do to reduce marine debris.
The goal isn’t to learn that plastic pollution is a problem. It’s to understand how the problem works and where (and how) intervention can make the biggest difference.
Your day with CRCP
This is a half-day session with beach clean up and waste audit, followed by a classroom session and workshop / discussions. The exact start time may vary, so we will confirm the schedule for your selected date. Find an example of schedule below:
- 06:00 — Beach Clean Up
- Let’s meet on the beach! With a quick briefing first & then we will start the clean up for 45minutes of collection.
- 06:45 — Segregation & Waste Audit
- We’ll put together all the collected marine debris and start segregating into smaller categories depending on the type of material each was made from, likely source and wether recyclable or not. This might take us 15 to 20minutes depending on the amount of waste and number of volunteers. All findings are recorded and we use it to investigate on the amount and type of marine debris that finds itself on our local beaches and what solutions can be found. Finally, we will load the segregated waste on the truck for proper disposal.
- 07:00 — Break and breakfast snacks
- Let’s enjoy a well deserved break and snacks
- 08:30 — Classroom session: CRCP Introduction
- Begin with an introduction of our organization, the environmental work that we conduct & team on the field.
- 08:45 — Classroom session – Part 1: Introduction to Marine Debris, their source & issues they cause
- We’ll explore what marine debris is, where it comes from and why it has become one of the major environmental challenges facing coastal and marine ecosystems. We’ll discuss:
- Marine debris & Plastic pollution: What it is, statistics and source
- Where does it come from
- Who are the culprits
- Impacts on the environment
- Impacts on our health
- Microplastics
- We’ll explore what marine debris is, where it comes from and why it has become one of the major environmental challenges facing coastal and marine ecosystems. We’ll discuss:
- 09:15 — Classroom session: Part 2: Local impacts & solutions
- We’ll continue by exploring local impacts, look at some of the data we collect, and discuss solutions needed to tackle this challenge: at collective level and at individual level. We’ll discuss:
- Situation in the Philippines and in Siquijor
- Political and Corporate responsibility
- Solutions at community level
- Individual responsibility
- Interesting projects and case studies
- We’ll continue by exploring local impacts, look at some of the data we collect, and discuss solutions needed to tackle this challenge: at collective level and at individual level. We’ll discuss:
- 10:00 — Brainstorming, discussion, Creative workshop,
- We’ll take this time to discuss marine debris, how it impact our every day life and what solutions we could implement individually. We will also play a creative game to review, map and brainstorm together on this topic and what solutions would be needed to solve it.
- 10:30 — Session end
- 12:00 — Plant based lunch & snacks
What is included?
Your course fee includes:
- Beach Clean Up & Waste Audit – One guided beach clean up & Waste Audit (you may read more about it here)
- Classroom learning – One classroom session covering theory and discussion
- Lunch & snacks – Plant-based lunch and snacks are included. Vegetarian and vegan options are available.
Course fee
| Format | Fee |
|---|---|
| Beach Clean Up & Waste Audit | Free |
| In person workshop | PHP 1,500 |
| Online – Theory only | PHP 1,500 |
A 20% deposit is required at the time of booking to secure your spot.
Filipino participants
Filipino participants receive an automatic 20% discount as a way to promote local participation. Simply let us know when you enquire so we can apply the discount.
CALENDAR /
Upcoming dates
While we conduct our clean ups and waste audit regularly (weekly from December to May and bi-monthly the rest of the year), we may not always conduct the full session including theory and workshop. For this reason, we recommend enquiring and reserving your place several weeks in advance.
The exact start time may vary, so we will confirm the schedule for your selected date.
In 2026
- Bi-monthly: second and fourth Friday of the Month
In 2027
- Bi-monthly: second and fourth Friday of the Month
Additional dates may occasionally be available, particularly for online participants. Contact us if you have a preferred date or need another option.
Small groups · Advance booking recommended
Places are limited and courses can fill quickly. Bookings close one month before each scheduled course date.
Learn from conservation practitioners
This course is delivered by our environmental NGO Coral Reef & Rainforest Conservation Project (CRCP), as a mean to promote environmental literacy and uplift the community of marine lovers in the Philippines with environmental skills and good practices.
Our training programs connect education with real conservation work. Rather than learning about coral reefs only from a textbook, participants are introduced to the ecological concepts, observation skills and conservation approaches used in the field.
You learn in the environment we are working to protect.
Your training support our conservation efforts
For CRCP, education is a critical part of our conservation work.
Through our learnwithCRCP programs, we share knowledge, develop practical conservation skills and encourage individuals to become more active stewards of the natural environment. Through this, we share our passion. Participation in our training programs also helps support and fund CRCP’s wider research, monitoring and conservation activities. It as well as a source of funding for our research & conservation efforts. By joining a CRCP course, you are not only investing in your own knowledge, you are helping us continue our work to better understand and protect our local ecosystems.
Learn. Explore. Understand. Protect.
FAQ
Is this course suitable for beginners?
Yes. The course does not require previous knowledge of ecology, biology or conservation science. We will cover and explain what back information you need.
Will we collect plastic?
Yes. During the beach clean up, plastic is likely to be one of the most common categories of debris encountered, but the clean-up will consider all types of marine debris, not only plastic.
What happens to the rubbish we collect?
Collected debris will be sorted and disposed of through the appropriate waste-management pathway available for the field site. Where appropriate, materials may be separated for recycling or further analysis.
Can children participate?
The course is primarily designed for adults and older students. Younger participants may be able to join depending on their age, supervision requirements and the field activity planned for the day. Please be aware that younger participants might be bored and / or chocked by the content of the lecture, we recommend no children under 12yo (they may however join the clean up if they wish). Please contact us before booking if you are considering bringing children.
Does this course include scuba diving or snorkeling?
No. This include a beach clean up and waste audit on the beach followed by a classroom-based workshop. You may combine it with a field activity that includes scuba diving or snorkeling if you wish, contact us.
Can the course be arranged on a different date?
Yes. Classes are available on request, subject to instructor and field availability. We recommend contacting us several weeks in advance.
Can I combine this course with other CRCP training?
Yes. If you are interested in combining rainforest ecology with mangrove, coral reef, marine or other conservation training, contact us and tell us about your goals.
We can discuss how different courses could be combined into a broader learning experience.
Can i come alone or is this for groups only?
You can come alone absolutely, most of our participants do. But if you prefer joining with your friend or partner, that works too. Our sessions are organized in small groups only so that everyone meet and quickly feels comfortable.
What should i bring?
We recommend bringing:
- Comfortable outdoor clothing (please wear community appropriate clothing. We do not allow conducting the beach clean up in swimwear).
- Closed shoes suitable for walking on a beach (as we may walk on very dirty area)
- Sun protection.
- Insect protection.
- Drinking water in a reusable container.
- A hat.
- Rain protection.
- A camera or phone if you wish to document observations.
Where is the course conducted ?
We host this field course in our base in Siquijor Island. We pick the beach for Clean Up depending on season and our ongoing research. Classroom session can also be conducted online.
Ready?
Schedule your training with us
Our other conservation training programs
1 DAY CLASS:
MARINE OR TERRESTRIAL
Would you like to learn about marine or terrestrial ecosystems but you only have 1 day to spare ? This is for you. Pick and choose your preferred topic and come for an adventure. Each class is composed of 1 ecology and conservation lecture followed by field activity guided by one of our local expert. All levels welcomed!
1 WEEK PROGRAMS
Come immerse in environmental conservation for a 5 days / 6 nights with a team of experts on the field. Take a break from daily life, reconnect with nature, immerse in forests and pristine coral reefs and learn about how to protect them. We offer various types of 1 week programs, from broad to specialized.
LONGTERM & PROFESSIONAL COURSES (4wks min)
Are you interested in growing skills to take a bigger step from your daily life and actually help local scientific research and conservation work? Field work require skills but everything can be learned with time and efforts. If this is you, we offer long term development and mentorship programs.