Claudia Muñoz Colón is a Bachelor student in Coastal Marine Biology at the University of Puerto Rico at Humacao with a great love and passion for the ocean. In hopes to help the environment she has worked along non-profit organizations such as CRES and Surfrider Puerto Rico in efforts to help with environmental conservation by offering education to other students as well as communities of all ages about the importance of the conservation of ecosystems such as coral reefs and mangroves. She has taken action about these environmental problems participating in activities like mangrove and native plants reforestations and beach cleanups, which had been involucrating the communities as well. Claudia has also participated in research experiences related to environmental conservation such as monitoring the light pollution problem happening currently at Fajardo, Puerto Rico which is affecting the bioluminescent bay and monitoring the Sargasso effects on the shore by collecting data and samples of air and water quality. Claudia joined the OceanEcho Fellowship seeking to help and inspire younger people to take action towards ocean conservation so that by 2030 that 30% of the ocean can be protected.

Claudia Muñoz Colón led impactful environmental events in collaboration with Surfrider Foundation Puerto Rico. She was in charge of the coordination for an inventory of the species that inhabit the bay of Aguadilla along with a group of marine biologists to support efforts to establish a new marine protected area at Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. She also worked on the creation of an educational infographic signage for this area so that people can learn more about the bay and its fauna. Claudia gave educational community talks and activities about the impacts that sedimentation is having on coral reefs to spread awareness.

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 “I'm really grateful for the opportunity I was granted to be part of the 30 x 30 fellowship. During these months I was able to partner with Surfrider Foundation and EarthEcho to do some impactful work and efforts in Puerto Rico to reach that 30 x 30 goal. I was given all the resources needed to complete my work and I really learned a lot through this process since this is the first time I was part of a fellowship. I definitely would love to continue with my campaign along with Surfrider Foundation and EarthEcho with the goal of creating a new marine protected area in Puerto Rico and also continuing educating the community about our environmental situations and getting more young people involved.”