Saipan youth joins EarthEcho International in DC

Emma Chong, from Saipan, is one of eight youth leaders ages 17-22 selected by EarthEcho International to serve as a 2024 Ocean Protection Ambassador, receiving funds and training to design and execute community campaigns that advance ocean protections and achieve the goal of protecting 30% of America’s waters by the year 2030 (30×30).

In celebration of National Ocean Month, Chong joined fellow Ocean Protection Ambassadors in Washington, D.C., to participate in Capitol Hill Ocean Week the nation’s premier annual conference examining current marine, coastal and Great Lakes policy issues. During their time in D.C., Chong had the opportunity to highlight key marine conservation priorities from their local communities through presentations, directly engage in meetings with members of Congress and senior administration officials to call for ambitious action to advance ocean protection efforts, and build skills to support their own community campaigns by interacting with leading scientists, policymakers, scholars, businesses and conservation leaders.

“Through their engagement at CHOW, and leadership in their community, Emma joins a growing youth movement that is redefining ocean advocacy efforts with passion, vision and a focus on bold action,” said Stacey Rafalowski, chief program officer, EarthEcho International.” We look forward to supporting the work and contributions of the 2024 Ocean Protection Ambassadors as they advance creative campaigns to support community-led ocean protection efforts.”

“The experience overall was rewarding, being exposed to the field of ocean conservation at a conference filled with like-minded people who not only shared my passion but could further my knowledge was almost life changing. Not only the events but the ability to make connections with those who I met throughout my time in D.C., most especially my fellow Ocean Protection Ambassadors. I left D.C. with many memories I will continue to cherish for many days to come and career experience that will most definitely help me in the future. A big thank you to not only EarthEcho International but the staff that made the trip possible, I send my love and well wishes.”

Chong is a current summer DCRM intern under the Shoreline Monitoring Program and will be attending NMC this fall as a Natural Resources Management Major with hopes to pursue Marine Science in the future.

As a 2024 Ocean Protection Ambassador, Chong receives campaign planning guidance and training from EarthEcho International and mentorship from local community partners to advance ocean protection efforts in their communities. The Ambassadors program is made possible with generous support from the National Ocean Protection Coalition, a project of Resources Legacy Fund.

For more information about the 2024 Ocean Protection Ambassadors, visit www.earthecho.org/ocean-protection-ambassadors and follow us on social media:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/earthecho

Instagram: @EarthEcho

Twitter/X: @EarthEcho

For information about EarthEcho International, please visit www.earthecho.org. (PR)