EarthEcho International’s Ocean Protection Ambassadors and members of our Youth Leadership Council will join our staff, partners, and policymakers in Washington D.C. this week for Capitol Hill Ocean Week (CHOW) - the nation’s premier ocean conservation conference. With a theme focused on leadership, CHOW 2024 will provide our youth leaders an opportunity to elevate their perspectives and community-based advocacy efforts to advance ambitious ocean protection efforts across the United States.

Interested in connecting with our team on the ground in Washington D.C. this week to meet our youth delegation, learn more about our work, and explore collaboration opportunities? Contact Sean Russell at srussell@earthecho.org or follow along on social media @EarthEcho for live updates throughout the week.

Here are a few highlights of our plans for the week:

Monday, June 3 - Capitol Hill Ocean Week Youth Advocacy Training

We’re teaming up with partners Big Blue & You, The Ocean Project and World Ocean Day, and the Sustainable Ocean Alliance to unite young ocean advocates from across the country for a full day training designed to prepare participants for ocean advocacy meetings with government officials and help them make the most out of their experience at Capitol Hill Ocean Week.

Tuesday, June 4:

Ocean Protection Ambassador Emma Chong Speaks at Upwell

Our team is excited to join our partners for Upwell, a symposium focused on the rising tide of justice and equity in ocean policy. This special event will feature a conversation with White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair, Brenda Mallory, moderated by EarthEcho Ocean Protection Ambassador, Emma Chong! Learn more and register to participate virtually here.

CHOW Hill Day:

Catch our team and youth leaders on the Hill for meetings with members of Congress, as our Ocean Protection Ambassadors work to build momentum for expanded and enhanced marine protected areas in communities across the United States.

Sea Youth Rise Up Social for the Sea:

We look forward to joining our partners and an intergenerational audience of young ocean advocates for the Sea Youth Rise Up Social for the Sea - a networking event to kick-off the Capitol Hill Ocean Week conference at the American Geophysical Union’s rooftop deck.

Capitol Hill Ocean Week Gala:

Members of our team and Ocean Protection Ambassadors will join our partners for the Capitol Hill Ocean Week Gala, celebrating the achievements of an incredible group of ocean conservation champions!

June 5 & 6 - Capitol Hill Ocean Week Conference

As we come together for two impactful days of Conference sessions, be sure to catch our EarthEcho youth leaders in the following sessions:

• June 5 from 12:30pm-1:15pm - Safeguarding Our Ocean Future in the High Seas virtual session featuring EarthEcho Youth Leadership Council member, Chloe Wetzler
• June 5 from 1:15pm-2:30pm - People Power: Fueling the Future of Youth Leadership and the Marine Workforce featuring closing remarks by EarthEcho Ocean Protection Ambassador, Leslieann Peers-Roman
• June 6 at 4:00pm - Closing Conference Keynote Address by EarthEcho Youth Leadership Council member, Pia Visaria

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