Category Archives: carving for nature

World Oceans Day 2022

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June 8th, 2009, was designated by the United Nations as World Oceans Day. This year will mark the fourteen-year. It’s a day encouraging worldwide awareness and action to protect our environment. We can all do a better job making a difference, and our lives depend on it.

The World Oceans Day theme is Revitalization. Collective action for the ocean. What will you do to make a difference on June 8th? Here’s my plan!

  • Donate fourteen dollars to Oceanic Global
  • Pick up fourteen pieces of beach trash.
  • Custom carve a #Mts4n 603 shell for Ocean Day 2022
  • Place fourteen empty shells in the coastal forest for hermit crabs in need
  • Spread the word! #revitalization

Keila Gaballo created this beautiful art piece to honor and celebrate World Oceans Day. It was inspired by one of my #mts4n hermit crab photographs. Check out her website

I will place fourteen shells in the coastal forest for hermit crabs in need. I often find hermit crabs adapting with single-use plastic. Shell over-collecting is a huge problem in Okinawa.


If you would like to support Hermit Crab Conservation please check out my Patreon page. MakeTheSwitch4Nature

Learn more about making a difference, TEDx talk | Adapting to or Changing Environment by Shawn M Miller

Mission: To Document and Preserve the Wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands for future generations

Earth Day 2022 Invest In Our Planet

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As you can see our trash is a serious problem on our shorelines. Some organizations are doing great things to make a difference but its’ not enough. We must all work together worldwide to make a positive impact.

We all have the ability to make a difference by reducing the amount of single-use items we use daily. Change can be difficult but I challenge you to Make The Switch for Nature 

The Earth Day 2022 theme is Invest In our planet. What will you do to make a difference on April 22nd? Below is my Earth Day Challenge

  • Place twenty-two #mts4n shells in the coastal forest
  • Pick up twenty-two pieces of beach trash
  • Donate twenty-two dollars to Earthday.org
  • Donate twenty-two dollars to Oceanconservancy.org
  • Go on a nature walk for twenty-two minutes
  • Twenty-two-hour intermittent fasting challenge

These are the twenty-two #mts4n shells that will be placed in the coastal forest for hermit crabs in need. I often find hermit crabs adapting with single-use plastic. Shell over-collecting is a huge problem in Okinawa.

I recommend participating in a beach cleanup. Get outdoors for some nature therapy!

Not all marine debris washes ashore. It’s important to participate in underwater cleanups as well.

Hopefully, this post will inspire you to make a positive change for Earth Day 2022. Have an awesome day!

If you would like to support Hermit Crab Conservation please check out my Patreon page. MakeTheSwitch4Nature

Learn more about making a difference, TEDx talk | Adapting to or Changing Environment by Shawn M Miller

Mission: To Document and Preserve the Wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands for future generations

Please consider making a small donation to support my mission.

Get Fa-Millerized with the Nature of the Ryukyu Islands  – – – –  SUBSCRIBE BELOW

I found a #MTS4N seashell on Okinawa. What should I do?

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So far, I have placed over six hundred marked turbo seashells in the coastal forest for hermit crabs in need. The shells are marked and numbered with the hashtag #mts4n ( Make The Switch For Nature ). Hopefully, labeling the surface of the seashells will prevent poachers, beachcombers, and fishers from taking them.

Hermit crabs are a national living monument species of Japan. It is against the law to collect them. Take photos only!

What to do if you find a #MTS4N or #MILLER shell

  • Take a photograph of the Hermit crab in its natural habitat
  • Enjoy the moment and do not harass it
  • Share on social media and tag #mts4n
  • Document your observation on iNaturalist
  • These occupied shells are not collectibles, do not take them
Mts4n hermit crab okinawa

What to do if you find a hermit crab adapting with plastic

  • Take a photograph of the hermit crab in its original habitat
  • Leave the hermit crab alone and do not harass it
  • Send me a DM with the exact beach location
  • I will place empty shells in the coastal forest for the hermit crabs
Hermit crabs living in our trash
Hermit crabs and our waste

How often have you picked up an empty shell and brought it home? I am guilty. Most people don’t realize that they are taking the potential home of a hermit crab. If you are a shell collector, please return all unwanted shells to the coastline. #taketrashnothomes

It’s crucial to protect these beautiful creatures for future generations. Hermit crabs play an essential role in the coastal ecosystem. Hermit crabs do not belong in cages; please leave them in their natural habitat.

Miller Hermit crab Okinawa


Help me make a difference by supporting The #MST4N Hermit Crab Conservation Project. Please check out my Patreon page, MakeTheSwitch4Nature. I will collect a bucket full of marine debris for every supporting member. Our waste is a massive problem on our beautiful shorelines.

Do you have any seashells collecting dust at home? If so, consider giving them back to nature. #taktrashnothomes

  • The Mission of the #MTS4N conservation project is to spread joy, inspire change, and save lives.

Click on the donation link below to help fund Shawn’s conservation projects.

Interview On the Kelly Clarkson Show
Making the switch 4 nature
Featured On AFN Okinawa