Category Archives: Environmental Impact

Giving Back 2 Nature – Earth Day 2024

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Student 2 Presenter

It was great to get back into the classroom. On April 3rd, I gave three hermit crab presentations at Ralph Stearley Primary School for science night. The kids had a lot of questions, and it was a blast!

On April 15th, I presented on Okinawa’s endangered & invasive species for AP Environmental Class at Kubasaki High School. Of course, we also spoke about hermit crab conservation. I attended Kubasaki from 1989-1992. It was a blast from the past!

On April 18th, I had a live interview on the Kelly Clarkson Show regarding Earth Day 2020. It was such a fantastic experience.

THE KELLY CLARKSON SHOW — Episode 7I131 — Pictured: (l-r) — (Photo by: Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal)

On April 20th, our team joined forces with Oist, Yomitan Beach Clean Network, Churamura Sea Turtle Conservation, Blue Reef Okinawa, and volunteers for a massive beach cleanup in Onna Village. Go Team Okinawa!

Please help me make a difference by supporting The MST4N Hermit Crab Conservation Project. Check out my Patreon page, MakeTheSwitch4Nature. For every supporting member, I will collect a bucket full of marine debris. 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 two nature.

  • 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.


Okinawa’s First Annual Sea Turtle Festival

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The Okinawa Sea Turtle Festival is on October 21st at Zanpa Beach. The Churamura Okinawa Sea-Turtle conservation organization hosts this fantastic event. Please join the fun. The event will start at 11:00 a.m.

All kinds of fun events for the kids to enjoy.

Give back to nature at the Hermit Crab Conservation Workshop, which starts at 16:00.

Shawn Miller created Make the Switch 4 Nature to spread joy + inspire change + save lives. His photography documenting hermit crabs adapting with plastics has been featured in National Geographic Magazine & inspired thousands to #TakeTrashNotHomes.

SHELL DONATION DRIVE: Do you have unwanted shells at home? Bring them to the Sea Turtle Festival and drop them off at Shawn’s MTS4N booth on October 21st from 1100-1700 on Zanpa Beach. The Okinawa Sea Turtle Festival is FREE, but donations to support Shawn’s work are appreciated.

Learn more about Churamura and the fantastic work they are doing!

I hope to see you there, and have a fabulous day!

World Oceans Day 2023

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Happy World Oceans Day!

Join us at the Okuma Beach Clean-Up this Saturday, 10 June 2023. Stop by the outside patio at the Surfside Grill & Bar to pick up trash bags and gloves. Afterward, join us as Shawn Miller, a nature and wildlife photographer, discusses Okinawa’s biodiversity and answers questions about wildlife and conservation photography.

Lug-nut hermit crabs by Shawn Miller

Have a wonderful day, and see you Saturday!

Invest In Our Planet | Earth Day 2023

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Crabs with Beach Trash Homes

We all can 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 

#mts4n 701 Earth Day 23

The Earth Day 2023 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-three #mts4n shells in the coastal forest
  • Pick up twenty-three pieces of beach trash
  • Volunteer at a local elementary school
  • Give two coastal forest conservation presentations
  • Spread the word #taketrashnothomes

On June tenth, I will give an Okinawan wildlife presentation at Okuma beach resort. Please join the fun!

Hopefully, this post will inspire you to make a positive change for Earth Day 2023.


Support the #MTS4n Hermit Crab Conservation Project; 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

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

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


MTS4N 391 – Trading plastic 4 shells by Shawn Miller

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Meet Jet Black, A blueberry hermit crab found adapting with a discarded plastic twist top cap.

The hermit crab was offered an assortment of shells. Jet Black made the switch into the donated seashell ” MTS4N 391 LIZA N MAGS OCEANBNB ”

I photographed the shy hermit crab in its new home, then released it back into the wild. Happy Crab – Happy Home!


I now keep all the twist-top caps that were used by hermit crabs. I currently have 107 caps that have been traded for shells ( #MTS4N Trading Plastic 4 Shells Collection )

As you can see our trash is a serious problem on our shorelines. Some organizations are doing great things making a difference but it’s not enough, We must all work together worldwide and attack this problem. 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 4 nature.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 40813162295_82f222f0f5_b-980x654.jpg

Thank you Steven David Johnson for your support, Check out his stunning conservation photography.

Listen to podcast 753 Interview, discussing the hermit crab conservation project. Martin Bailey Photography

Would you like to give back to nature? Consider making a contribution to support my mission in Hermit Crab Conservation MakeTheSwitch4Nature

Do you have any seashells collecting dust at home? if so, consider donating them to the #MTS4N Project

Please consider making a small donation to support my mission

Have an awesome day! Shawn Miller

MTS4N 393 To Eat Flowers -Trading Plastic 4 Shells

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Meet Fragile Francis, A blueberry hermit crab found adapting with a discarded plastic cap.

The hermit crab was offered an assortment of shells. Fragile Francis made the switch into the donated seashell ” MTS4N 393 To Eat Flowers ”

I photographed the shy hermit crab in its new home, then released it back into the wild. Happy Crab – Happy Home!

I now keep all the twist top caps that were used by hermit crabs. I currently have 106 caps that have been traded for shells ( #MTS4N Trading Plastic 4 Shells Collection )

As you can see our trash is a serious problem on our shorelines. Some organizations are doing great things making a difference but it’s not enough, We must all work together worldwide and attack this problem. 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 4 nature.

Would you like to give back to nature? Consider making a contribution to support my mission in Hermit Crab Conservation MakeTheSwitch4Nature

Thank you Hannah Reyes for your support and carving suggestion, Check out her stunning photography on Instagram.

Listen to podcast 753 Interview, discussing the hermit crab conservation project. Martin Bailey Photography

Do you have any seashells collecting dust at home? if so, consider donating them to the #MTS4N Project

Have an Awesome day! Shawn Miller

Zerocare MTS4N 282 – Trading Plastic for Shells

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Meet Zerocare, A blueberry hermit crab found adapting with a discarded plastic twist top cap.

zerocare hermit crabs and twist top cap

The hermit crab was offered an assortment of shells. Zerocare made the switch into the donated seashell ” Zerocare MTS4N 282 ”

I photographed the shy hermit crab in its new home, then released it back into the wild. Happy Crab – Happy Home!

I now keep all the twist top caps that were used by hermit crabs. I currently have 105 caps that have been traded for shells ( #MTS4N Trading Plastic 4 Shells Collection )

plastic caps used by hermit crabs

As you can see our trash is a serious problem on our shorelines. Some organizations are doing great things making a difference but it’s not enough, We must all work together worldwide and attack this problem. 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 4 nature.


Would you like to give back to nature? Please support our Hermit Crab Conservation Project. MakeTheSwitch4Nature

Listen to podcast 753 Interview, discussing the hermit crab conservation project. Martin Bailey Photography

Thank you ZEROCARE for your support, You are making a difference by providing sustainable options and Protecting Our Oceans. Keep up the Great work!


Do you have any seashells collecting dust at home? if so, consider donating them to the #MTS4N Project

Please consider making a small donation to support the mission

Have an Awesome day! Shawn Miller