Inside SYRUP 2025: A Week of Youth Ocean Advocacy
Youth Advocates Head to D.C. for SYRUP 2025
From May 31st to June 5th, 2025, Sea Youth Rise Up (also known as SYRUP) led another annual week to train youth advocates from around the world to lobby state and federal legislation, attend Capitol Hill Ocean Week in Washington D.C., and hear from several panelists and speakers that shared their amazing efforts in ocean conservation.
Sea Youth Rise Up is a collaborative initiative that started back in 2016 by Big Blue & You, The Ocean Project, and the Youth Ocean Conservation Summit, which works to foster relationships with youth who are constantly advocating for the ocean with each other. Big Blue & You was able to collaborate with Clean Miami Beach (led by Sophie Ringel) to bring two of their delegates, Salome Velez and Maxine Vega.
Sunday: Advocacy Training & Inspiration from Ocean Leaders
On Sunday, June 1st, all the Sea Youth Rise Up delegates gathered at the MLK Jr. Library to have an advocacy training session. We were able to hear from guest speaker Miriam Goldstein, Executive Director of the National Oceanic Protection Coalition and former White House Lead for the Council of Environmental Quality.
We also learned how to tell our ocean stories through Danni Washington (co-founder of Big Blue & You) and unique solutions to achieving ocean conservation and safety worldwide from Carissa Cabrera (founder of Futureswell & member of the Sustainable Ocean Alliance).
The last segment was a panel with former SYRUP delegates including MJ Sangster (2023), Katherine Escalante (2023), Keyle Correia (2018), and our Lead Intern Alejandro Ganaza (2023, 2024) where they were able to share their top moments as a past delegates and how to make the most out of Capitol Hill Ocean Week. We ended the day with some professional headshots with the Capitol building and a tour of the National Museum of Natural History.
Monday: Hitting the Hill with Passion and Policy
On Monday, June 2nd, the Miami Delegation was ready for a full day of meetings with Congressmen.
We met with D.28 Representative Carlos Gimenez’s office (which we later saw in person at the airport on our flight back home), to talk about the Farewell To Foam Act and just how important it is to our oceans. We then took a tour of Congress from an intern at D.26 Mario Diaz-Balart’s office. Onto D.24 Rep Federica Wilson’s office, and it was a total success as the staffer meeting with us was an ocean policy liaison.
After lunch, we had our final meeting with Florida Senator Rick Scott’s office. We toured the National Mall and took a deep breath before getting ready for the evening. A few hours later, SYRUP had its annual Social For The Sea hosted by our very own Co-Founder Danni Washington, where we got to hear from all the organization leads and play a fun sea animal charades with prizes.
“My experience at Sea Youth Rise Up this year was amazing! I didn’t know what to expect at all, but I grew out of my comfort zone and learned so much in that week. I gained so many new friendships and connected with others who share my passion for the ocean. I’m really really glad I went.”
Tuesday: CHOW Kicks Off + An Unforgettable Evening
On Tuesday, June 3rd, the CHOW Convention begins! We head over to the Ronald Reagan Building, hearing guest speakers and panelists as well as networking with organizations that tabled around the conference rooms. Our delegates had a blast connecting with individuals and young professionals like them.
After lunch, the team departed for the roaring Upwell event hosted by Azul, the Center for American Progress, and Urban Ocean Lab. This was truly the highlight of the week! Hearing by similar grassroots movements, inspiring storytellers, and unforgettable claims about the ocean world today, our delegates left feeling heard, inspired, and concentrated on the goal at hand.
Wednesday: Networking, Innovation, and Ice Cream Near the White House
On Wednesday, June 4th, the second and last day of the CHOW Convention hits! We learn about many more agencies, talking one-on-one with them and landing many incredible opportunities. The speakers' topics ranged from blue economies to technological innovations.
Just outside the conference space, there was a fun flea market where the delegates got to eat lunch and then head to the People’s House, a white house mockup museum, to see inside the life of the executive office. But what was right next to it? The ACTUAL White House. So we danced and had fun, sharing a positive light with our team as we watched the White House and got ice cream.
Thursday: Celebrating World Ocean Day in the Nation’s Capital
On Thursday, June 5th, those who didn’t leave on early flights stayed to experience and celebrate World Ocean Day with the National Museum of Natural History, where organizations tabled to engage the community and NOAA Knauss Fellows led insightful presentations on our oceans using an interactive map of the globe. We left feeling bittersweet but knowing it was one heck of a week.
“SYRUP was honestly such an amazing experience. It helped me grow as a person and become a more confident version of myself that I could’ve never imagined becoming. It’s something I’ll never forget, and I wouldn’t change anything about it.”
That's a Wrap!
SYRUP 2025 was a launching pad for lifelong ocean advocates. With new connections, a deeper understanding of policy, and unforgettable memories, this year's delegates returned home ready to keep rising up for the sea.