Hi, my name is Chloe and I was an EarthEcho Water Challenge Ambasador! First I’ll tell you a little about me, then my experience in the Water Challenge program, and then I’ll talk about what I’ve been up to since graduating from the program. 

I’m from Virginia Beach, Virginia which sits right at the junction of the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Growing up so close to the water, I have always been interested in marine biology and environmental science. Then, to further explore my passion, I sought out ways to learn more about the effects of human activity on marine ecosystems. Throughout middle and high school, I volunteered with a number of local organizations like the Virginia Aquarium, the Virginia Junior Master Naturalists, and Virginia Beach Seacamp among others. It was my AP Environmental Science teacher though, who had heard of the Water Challenge program and recommended I look into it. It seemed like a wonderful opportunity for me to learn more about citizen science, build out my leadership skills, and get plugged into a new network of environmentally minded peers that extended beyond my local area. So, I applied in 2019 during my senior year of high school.

After I was accepted, and learned more about the program and EarthEcho International as an organization I got more and more excited. I got to meet the other water challenge ambassadors and staff at our Youth Leadership Summit which was held in Washington DC. There we heard from inspiring guest speakers working in a variety of marine science related positions, which was super helpful as someone trying to decide what career within the broad category of marine conservation I wanted to pursue. Another highlight from the summit was the training we received on environmental communications and the workshop session to build out plans for our water monitoring events. 

That fall, I hosted my first ever environmental education event. I already had established relationships with educators at the Virginia Aquarium and, thanks to the Aquarium’s popularity, I knew I would have a captive audience. So, I hosted my event there. Up to that point I had volunteered and assisted with other established programs, but EarthEcho pushed me to feel confident in organizing and hosting an event on my own. 

I had always heard the adage — think global, act local — and through the resources and support EarthEcho provided, I was able to do just that. The next two years, I continued with the Water Challenge program. Everyone in my cohort had to adjust and host virtual events during the pandemic. But I still felt like I was able to make a positive impact on my community. After attending more of the lecture events EarthEcho arranged for us as part of the Youth Leadership Summits, I realized I was becoming more and more interested in political advocacy as a way to protect marine ecosystems. So, I applied to the Youth Leadership Council (YLC), where more of the time is spent on political advocacy and organizing as opposed to citizen science and educational events like with the Water Challenge program. But, we still do some in-person environmental education events where I can continue working on my public speaking and event-planning skills. The photo below is of me at an event I co-hosted with another YLC member, Kai Tran, in Wilson, North Carolina. We are both currently students at Duke’s Nicholas School of the Environment, so this was a nice way to get to know the North Carolina community. 

The guest speakers I heard from through EarthEcho also inspired me to apply to grad school in the intersection of law and policy with marine science. I am currently a dual-degree student getting my master’s in environmental management as well as attending law school at Duke. While I still have a few years of school ahead of me, I am eager to pursue a career in federal ocean policy — a path I never would’ve known existed before EarthEcho. This summer actually concludes my time on the YLC and overall I felt the transition from the Water Challenge to the YLC was really natural.  As a youth leader with EarthEcho, I have had incredible opportunities like attending the Conservation in Action Summit (pictured below) and Capitol Hill Ocean Week where I got to hear from members of NOAA — who have been working to increase meaningful youth participation in marine policy spaces. 

EarthEcho is such a unique organization that brings together young people from all over who are passionate about taking action and spreading awareness on the importance of water monitoring and water quality. Today, over five years after first getting involved, one of my favorite things about EarthEcho is still the people who make up this organization. Both the staff and youth leaders, but also the community members who attend our in-person and virtual events. If you are thinking about applying, I could not recommend this program more to a young person interested in marine science and wanting to find a network of support to encourage you on your journey of becoming an environmental leader. It is so inspiring to be a part of such a powerful and positive movement amidst the often discouraging reality of trying to combat the climate and biodiversity crisis. 

Thanks for reading! 

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