Endangered Species Day, May 15, is just around the corner – an opportunity for divers everywhere to celebrate the importance of protecting endangered wildlife.

From sea turtles to sharks marine creatures, big and small, face some serious challenges - our trash underwater, overfishing, bycatch and finning to name just a few. We’re wreaking havoc on the ocean and the creature it inhabits.

This Endangered Species Day, you can join Project AWARE in recognizing the urgent conservation efforts needed to protect marine species by taking the My Ocean Challenge.

From running a marathon to baking cakes, participating in a sponsored abseil event or donating your birthday, your fundraising challenge fuels the grassroots action and policy change necessary to ensure a clean, healthy ocean planet for us today and for future generations.

Endangered Species Day highlights the plight of many at-risk and critically endangered species of wild animals and the everyday actions that individuals like you can take to help protect them. Our ocean is facing tough challenges. Your challenge? Fundraise for its protection.

Make tackling some of these marine challenges your My Ocean Challenge. Visit projectaware.org/fundraise to kick off your My Ocean Challenge* this Endangered Species Day and beyond.

*Beginning on Endangered Species Day 2015, the first 10 fundraisers to raise US$500 or more will also be awarded a Quikpod selfie stick so you can show the world how you took on the My Ocean Challenge!