Youth Ocean Conservation Launches Summit and Partners with Jack Johnson

May 16, 2014

Today, an update from one of our youth partners, Sean Russell who is doing amazing work for the ocean. Sean, take it away!

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Around the world, our planet’s oceans and their inhabitants face many challenges. As human impacts continuously threaten the health of our marine ecosystems, both locally and globally, it is imperative that we involve youth in a campaign to solve these problems.

The Youth Ocean Conservation Summit (YOCS) was created to provide youth participants the opportunity to learn from marine scientists and conservationists about the current threats facing marine ecosystems, both locally and globally. This annual event also teaches participants about the ways other youth are currently working to protect marine ecosystems, and then allows them to work with their peers to develop action plans for their own ocean conservation projects. Workshops offered at the summit allow participants to gain the skills necessary to successfully implement conservation projects, teach participants about career opportunities in marine conservation, and expose them to opportunities they can take part in to help protect our planet’s oceans and their inhabitants.

We are now launching the first satellite Youth Ocean Conservation Summit to be held on July 22, 2014 in Annapolis, MD in association with the National Marine Educators Association (NMEA) 2014 Conference and the National Aquarium’s Aquarium on Wheels program. If you would like to attend this exciting regional event, click here for complete details and registration information. The registration deadline for this summit is today May 16^th. The $20.00 registration fee includes lunch and all event materials.

Additionally, we’re partnering with Jack Johnson on his 2014 From Here to Now to You tour to raise funding for and awareness about our work to engage students in ocean conservation and marine debris prevention initiatives through our Youth Ocean Conservation Summits and the Stow It-Don’t Throw It Project. As part of this partnership, we’ll be at Jack Johnson’s concert in St. Augustine, FL on May 20^th promoting these initiatives. Additionally, the Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation will be matching contributions made to our organization through September 1^st up to $2500. Additionally, those who donate before May 10^th will be entered to win two tickets to the sold out Jack Johnson Concert in St. Augustine on May 20^th! You can donate here.