From June 2nd to June 7th, 2024 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, environmental agencies, and attend Capitol Hill Ocean Week in Washington D.C., hearing from over 40 guest panelists that shared their amazing work in ocean conservation.

Collaborative Efforts in Ocean Advocacy

Sea Youth Rise Up is a collaborative initiative between Big Blue & You, The Ocean Project, and EarthEcho International, which works to foster relationships with youth who are constantly advocating for the ocean with each other. This year, we had delegates all the way from American Samoa to Guam to California and back here in Miami. Big Blue & You were able to collaborate in bringing Clean Miami Beach (led by Sophie Ringel) and 4 of their delegates to join Big Blue & You’s Plastic Free Cities Mentor Vanessa Rodriguez and Lead Intern Alejandro Ganaza.

Advocacy Training at the Reservoir Center for Water Solutions

On Monday, June 3rd, all the Sea Youth Rise Up delegates gathered at the Reservoir Center for Water Solutions to have an advocacy training session, hearing from different topics that each organization has been working on, including presenting Plastic Free Cities and our efforts in Big Blue & You to educate on this extreme issue. A series of panel discussions followed, where Alejandro Ganaza was able to share his top moments as a past 2023 Sea Youth Rise Up delegate and how to make the most out of Capitol Hill Ocean Week.

Meetings with Key Environmental Agencies

On Tuesday, June 4th, the Miami Delegation took charge of having their first meeting with the Environemntal Protection Agency to discuss efforts on both sides to the alarming threats of single-use plastics. After that, we spoke to Marco Rubio’s team about their current works in Coral Reef Restoration and allocating funds towards protecting our native sealife. That evening, SYRUP had a Social For The Sea hosted by our very own Co-Founder Danni Washington, where we got to hear from Jane Lubchenco, a renowned marine ecologist, and many others. At night, many of the delegates and adults led a tour through monuments across Washington D.C., exploring the beauty of the city with the night lights.

Capitol Hill Ocean Week: Networking and Insights

On Wednesday, June 5th, the CHOW Convention begins! We head over to the Ronald Reagan Building, hearing guest speakers and panelists all day as well as networking with orgnizatons and agencies that tabled around the conference rooms.

A group of the Miami Delegation, along with delegates from the Ocean Project went to talk to Senator Sheldon Whitehouse’s team and got to say a few words to the Senator about their personal stories connecting to the ocean. We then went on to meet with Senator Bernie Sanders’ team, also getting a chance to meet with him in person. Overall, the delegates and I were so inspired not only by the work each team had been doing but every new bill or task that we learned in the processes of the federal government. But that’s not all!

Our Lead Intern, Alejandro Ganaza was invited to a Youth Engagement Strategy Meeting with Assistant Secretary Jennifer Littlejohn, Bureau of Ocean and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, and Dr. Richard Spinrad, Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. In this meeting, several youth advocates gave their insight and ideas on how the Department of State and Oceanic Agencies engage more with youth across the U.S., bringing access to all types of resources. Later on that evening, our Miami Delegation reunites for Azul.org’s Salsa Rooftop Party to celebrate the union of ocean conservationists and like-minded people, networking with the Hispanic community that pushes for Climate Justice.

CHOW Convention Highlights and Final Day Activities

On Thursday, June 6th, 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. In the morning, the Sea Youth Rise Up team talks with Miriam Goldstein from the Council of Environmental Quality, highlighting the work each organization has done in their respective areas.

As we pass by the White House, many of us join in on a Cupid Shuffle to lighten the spirit of the community around us. “It was the funniest and lovable thing all week,” said one of the delegates. From there we take different routes on departing back home, but we don’t finish this trip without walking through museums at the mall. The Ocean Project and Big Blue & You end the week at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

And that’s a wrap!