How Beside the Sea Continues to Support Children’s Learning About Coastal Environments

Sometimes a book finds a life beyond its printed pages. Beside the Sea is one of those titles that continues to be used in meaningful, practical ways — particularly in helping children understand the rhythms of our coastline and the care required to protect it.

Recently, we were pleased to learn that the Sunshine Coast Council has incorporated the book into its educational outreach, allowing the story to be used as part of local turtle conservation learning programs.

A Place in the TurtleCare Travelling Trunk

Beside the Sea is included in the TurtleCare Travelling Trunk, a resource carried by volunteers on visits to schools, early learning centres and community events.
Through hands-on activities and stories, children are introduced to:

• the nesting cycle of marine turtles

• how tracks and nests are identified

• the effects of light pollution on hatchlings

• simple ways communities can help protect coastal wildlife

The book is also used during the TurtleCare Hatchling Club, a school holiday program that encourages children to learn about turtles through guided activities, observation and conversation.

Community Learning in Action

TurtleCare Sunshine Coast is a volunteer-based citizen science program monitoring nesting turtles from Buddina Beach to North Bribie Island. Coordinated by the Sunshine Coast Council, with support from the Queensland Department of Environment and Science, the program gathers valuable data and provides protection for these vulnerable species.

Knowing that Beside the Sea contributes to this broader effort is something we value. By offering a familiar narrative, the book helps younger readers approach environmental understanding in an accessible way.

Recently, volunteers shared an image of the Travelling Trunk packed and ready for use — with Beside the Sea placed alongside field guides and other educational materials. With nesting season now underway, its inclusion feels especially timely.

The Sunshine Coast Council has supported access to the book from the beginning, having initially purchased copies for local coastal libraries so families could discover it in their own time.

A Story With Ongoing Purpose

Beside the Sea continues to be a quiet but steady companion to environmental education efforts, helping children connect a story they enjoy with the real-life processes unfolding on their local beaches.

We are pleased to see the book being used in such practical and meaningful contexts, and we extend our thanks to the TurtleCare community for their ongoing work — and for bringing the story to life in new ways.