The Echo: Quarterly Newsletter — Summer 2022
BRINGING YOUTH LEADERS TOGETHER IN WASHINGTON, D.C. AND VIRTUALLY WORLDWIDE
From July 17-21, the EarthEcho Youth Leadership Council convened at Xylem's Reservoir Center for Water Solutions in Washington, DC. Highlights included a meeting with NOAA Administrator Dr. Rick Spinrad and the NOAA Leadership Team to discuss youth engagement within NOAA, a visit to U.S. Department of State with Maxine Burkett, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oceans, Fisheries and Polar Affairs, and meetings with U.S. members of Congress and federal agencies. YLC members had the opportunity for networking with our partners from The Pew Charitable Trusts, Center for American Progress, National Ocean Protection Coalition, and NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.The YLC also planned their year ahead, which included the virtual 2022 Youth Leadership Summit on August 5 & 6.
The 2022 Youth Leadership Summit: The Power of Advocasea brought together over 250 participants from 39 countries and territories!
GEARING UP FOR WORLD WATER MONITORING DAY ON SEPTEMBER 18TH
Middle school teachers: you and your students are invited to celebrate World Water Monitoring Day with a series of free, virtual events from September 20-22! The lineup of guests will speak to their research on microplastics in our waterways, careers within the water industry, and how to get involved in the EarthEcho Water Challenge by monitoring water and plogging.
The EarthEcho Water Challenge now includes Plogging for Water, a new data entry feature in the EarthEcho Water Challenge database. Anyone can get out in their community and plog—picking up litter while jogging/walking/running—to protect their waterways. Ploggers are encouraged to log their trash items in the online database. If you have ever entered water quality data on the EarthEcho Water Challenge database, you will be familiar with the process! And if you've never entered data before, now's the perfect time to get involved and protect your waterways!
WELCOME MARY MEYER AS THE NEW CURRICULUM AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR!
Prior to joining EarthEcho International, Mary worked as a consultant for the UNC Institute for the Environment where she led a professional development program for elementary school teachers aimed at getting their students outside. She also wrote climate change curriculum for the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and was a contracted Instructional Designer, creating engaging and interactive online environmental education workshops. Welcome, Mary!READ MARY'S FULL BIO
CELEBRATING SUMMER ON TOUR WITH JACK JOHNSON
This summer, EarthEcho joined Jack Johnson on tour as part of his "All At Once" project. Thanks to the generous support of the Johnson Ohana Foundation, EarthEcho joined local non-profit organizations in the Green Village at two concerts to discuss our work with Jack’s fans. Water Challenge Ambassador Harper Campbell asked Tampa, FL, concert goers to draw or write why protecting the ocean is important to them (pictured above), while Isaac Yebio tabled at the Washington, DC, area event.
The Johnson Ohana Foundation is matching donations to EarthEcho until October 15, 2022, up to a total of $2,500. When you make a donation, it will be doubled by the Johnson Ohana Foundation!
DOUBLE YOUR DONATION TO EARTHECHO
THE OURECHO CHALLENGE IS BACK AND BIGGER THAN EVER!
Mark your calendars! The OurEcho Challenge, a STEM competition that empowers middle school students to take a closer look at biodiversity in their communities, will kick off with a virtual teach-in on November 2, 2022. This 24-hour live event will focus on the importance of conserving biodiversity.This school year, we’re heading across the pond and opening OurEcho Challenge entries to students and teachers in the United Kingdom! We can’t wait to hear your incredible ideas on how to protect biodiversity in the UK.For students and teachers interested in entering the OurEcho Challenge this year, watch the video above for inspiration from the most recent winners from Windemere Prep in Florida.