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!
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
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
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
So far, I have placed over seven 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 anglers from taking them.
Hermit crabs are a national living monument species of Japan. Collecting them is against the law. 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
These occupied shells are not collectibles; do not take them
The Mission of the Make the Switch 4 Nature (MTS4N) Hermit Crab Conservation project is to spread joy, inspire change, and save lives
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
Have you ever taken an empty seashell from the beach? I am guilty. Most people don’t realize that they are taking the potential home of a hermit crab.
Did you know that hermit crabs are not born with shells? As hermit crabs grow, they depend on various empty shells as their homes. Hermit crabs do not make their own shells; instead, they use discarded shells from marine snails that wash ashore. They also adapt by using land snail shells found in the coastal forest. 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.
2024 has been a busy year for hermit crab poaching. In April and May, we found many traps in the coastal forest. If you see any suspicious activity, please call the local police.
Hermit crabs do not belong in a cage. Let’s keep wild crabs wild.
Please 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.
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.
Thank you Steven David Johnsonfor 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
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
Meet Zerocare, A blueberry hermit crab found adapting with a discarded plastic 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 )
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 youZEROCAREfor 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
Meet Mustard, A blueberry hermit crab found adapting with a discarded marker cap.
A friend called to inform me she found a hermit crab ( mustard ) adapting with plastic. I grabbed some empty shells, the #mts4n bucket and drove down to a local beach in Yomitan village. We placed Mustard into the bucket and within fifteen minutes he made the switch.
Mustard made the switch into donated shell ” MTS4N #412 It will get better ” which is part of the positive carving series.
I photographed the hermit crab in its new home, then released it back into the wild. Happy Crab-Happy Home!
I keep all the twist top caps that were used by hermit crabs. I currently have 105 caps that have been traded for shells.
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
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.
Meet Brittle Bob, A blueberry hermit crab found adapting with a discarded plastic twist top cap.
The hermit crab was offered an assortment of shells. Brittle Bob made the switch into the donated seashell ” So Shire MTS4N 434 ”
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 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.
Interview with Kelly Meyer – Hermit Crab Conservation Project, Okinawa
Would you like to give back to nature? Consider making a contribution to support my mission in Hermit Crab Conservation MakeTheSwitch4Nature
Listen to podcast 753 Interview, discussing the hermit crab conservation project. Martin Bailey Photography
Thank youSo Shirefor your support, You are doing great 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, Have a great day!
Due to an underwater volcanic eruption around the Ogasawara Islands, millions of pumice stones washed ashore on the eastern coast of Okinawa. Pumice stones are formed when lava and water mix together. The lightweight stones are abrasive and are mainly used to remove dead skin on the feet. ” take off your shoes and enjoy the walk “
The massive amount of fresh pumice in a confined area gave me a headache. It smelled a little like sulfur to me. The rotting barnacles attached to the stones didn’t help either.
The larger hermit crabs definitely had a hard time crawling over the pumice mounds washed ashore. I wonder how these stones will impact marine life?
The combination of earth, wind, and fire produced some beautiful natural abstracts.
The fresh pumice fluoresced under blue light. I used the Light & MotionNightsea blue light to create this photograph.
Mission: Protect and Preserve the Wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands for future generations.
Meet Green Tea, A large Blueberry hermit crab found adapting with single-use plastic.
The hermit crab was offered an assortment of shells. Green tea made the switch into the donated seashell ” No More Plastic Caps ” MTS4N #383.
After I photograph the hermit crab within its new home, I release it back into the wild and keep the plastic cap. Happy crab – Happy Home!
In August I reached out to my friend Martin Bailey and asked him if he wanted to be part of the project: Trading plastic for shells. He agreed and I carved ” No more Plastic caps ” on an MTS4N shell for him.
Martin asked me if I would join him on his podcast to discuss the project. Trading plastic for shells. It was great catching up with him!
If you would like to listen to podcast 753, view some amazing nature photography, or take a nature tour in Mainland Japan check out his website. Martin Bailey Photography
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.
If you would like to make a contribution to support my mission in Hermit Crab Conservation please check out my Patreon page. MakeTheSwitch4Nature
Do you have any seashells collecting dust at home? if so, consider donating them to the #MTS4N Project, Have a great day!
