All stakeholders gathered the shores during Marmara Sea Day
Under the coordination of Marmara Municipalities Union (MMU), environmental activities were organized at dozens of locations, primarily across the coastal provinces of Istanbul, Kocaeli, Balıkesir, Bursa, Tekirdağ, Yalova, and Çanakkale, as well as in neighboring provinces.These events, ranging from coastal clean-ups and nature walks to awareness workshops, open-air exhibitions, and environmentally themed art performances, saw broad participation from public institutions, municipalities, NGOs, universities, volunteers, and citizens. Educational programs designed specifically for children were also an integral part of the activities. Beyond observing, participants actively engaged in the events, contributing directly to environmental awareness and action.
A Shared Message from the Shores for Marmara
Events organized under the slogan “Marmara Belongs to All of Us” gained wide visibility across both traditional and digital media. These comprehensive initiatives demonstrated that environmental awareness is strengthened not only through information sharing, but also through active participation and collective action.
The strong sense of synergy generated throughout the events highlighted the potential for building a sustainable, inclusive environmental movement dedicated to the protection of Marmara Sea. In particular, the active engagement of young people underscored the vital role of education and participatory experiences in fostering long-term ecological awareness.
Attention Drawn to Ecosystem Restoration
In line with this year's main theme, "Ecosystem Restoration," the importance of efforts to improve habitats along the Marmara coast was particularly emphasized. Activities such as cleaning coastal areas, removing waste harmful to marine life, and raising public awareness about environmental issues directly contributed to the ecological recovery process in the region.
Ecosystem restoration is not merely an intervention in nature; it is also a holistic approach requiring humans to rethink their relationship with their living environment. These efforts to improve the environmental health of Marmara Sea play a critical role in achieving sustainable development goals at both regional and national levels.
Messages of Hope and Inspiration from Participants
At the conclusion of the events, many participants shared that reconnecting with the Marmara Sea gave them a renewed sense of hope and inspiration. Beyond the meaningful experience of coming together around shared environmental goals, participants frequently highlighted the strong sense of social solidarity fostered through interactions with others who share similar concerns.
Enriched by the contributions of different segments of society, from students to environmental volunteers, fishermen to municipal teams, Marmara Sea Day evolved into a meaningful platform that strengthened collective environmental awareness.
Participants emphasized that such initiatives go beyond raising awareness, serving instead as a clear call to action. Both individual and collective responsibilities in addressing environmental challenges were strongly underscored. In this regard, Marmara Sea Day transcended a symbolic celebration, becoming a powerful social gathering where shared values were affirmed, common concerns were voiced, and hopes for the future were transformed into concrete aspirations.
Looking Forward to Meeting Again on June 8 Next Year
June 8, celebrated as Marmara Sea Day as part of Türkiye's Environment Week, which begins on June 5, World Environment Day, coincided with a public holiday, the 2025 events were held on June 3 to ensure more effective coordination. Within this framework, activities organized with the support of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and coordinated by MMU were carried out on different days throughout Türkiye’s Environment Week.
We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to this collective effort to safeguard Marmara Sea and ensure its healthy future. The fifth Marmara Sea Day will be celebrated on June 8, 2026. We look forward to coming together once again for Marmara Sea.
