By Karisa Arterbury | Director of Operations + Development (volunteer)
Dear Ocean Blue Project Supporters,
This winter has been especially inspiring for Ocean Blue Project (OBP), thanks to the experiential learning and energetic contributions of our youth participants, interns, and community partners. Their ideas and energy have brought new perspectives, enriched our programs, and engaged our entire team.
Our flagship OBP Blue Schools program continues to educate local K–12 students about the watershed–ocean connection, building a new generation of ocean advocates. Looking forward, Ocean Blue Project is taking on the challenge of constructing an Education Station dedicated to inspiring K–12 students to steward their local watersheds with an understanding of how vital the ocean–watershed connection is for all life in and outside of our one world ocean.
Intern & Leader Spotlight
Alondra, CleanUp Crew Leader, Oregon Chapter Based in Oregon, Alondra has led cleanups for three consecutive years that bring together TRIO and Upward Bound students and community members at Oregon State University, where Ocean Blue Project began its mission in 2012, to care for local waterways. In February, Alondra led the group in cleaning up around 200 pounds of debris, stewarding the very beach in Newport, Oregon, where Ocean Blue Project was founded.
Her leadership not only removes litter from our environment but also introduces young people to environmental stewardship, advocacy, and the power of showing up. Alondra’s events are welcoming, wellorganized, and rooted in education. She helps participants understand how local action, whether on the Oregon Coast or in their home watersheds, connects to global ocean health, inspiring the next generation of environmental leaders in the process.
Program Goals & Impact
At the heart of our project is a commitment to fostering a vibrant, hands-on learning environment where young people and emerging leaders can connect with their local ecosystem in meaningful and memorable ways. The newly envisioned Education Station, to be housed at Ocean Blue’s East Coast Headquarters in Lottsburg, VA, is designed to align with the local community aesthetic combined with the charm and inclusivity of a one-room schoolhouse. We aim to create a dynamic hub for creativity, exploration, and community engagement. Here, interns, participants, and students will come together to share knowledge, lead workshops, and inspire one another.
Our broader vision extends far beyond workshops or classroom walls. We seek to spark curiosity and deepen understanding about the vital connections between our watersheds and the ocean. By inviting students and aspiring educators to take leading roles, we nurture leadership and collaboration skills while building a community invested in stewardship and positive change.
This journey is not one we take alone. Collaboration with local schools is central to bringing these experiences to life, ensuring students from across the region can participate and grow. We are also inspired by the dedication and creativity of our interns, youth leaders like Alondra, and volunteers, whose passion continues to drive the project forward.
As we invest in expanding our capacity, both physically, with the construction of the Education Station, and programmatically, through innovative outreach, OBP Blue Schools is laying the foundation for a thriving, collaborative network. Together, we’re equipping the next generation with the tools, knowledge, and inspiration to make a lasting impact on their communities and the natural world.
Key Activities
Funding Update
As part of our ongoing campaign, we urgently need funding to construct the new Education Station in Lottsburg, VA. This dedicated space will multiply our reach and effectiveness for years to come, allowing us to blend classroom-style learning with field experiences like Alondra’s coastal cleanups.
Looking Ahead
Thank you, GlobalGiving donors and community partners, for empowering students and young leaders committed to saving our ocean. Investors like you make these achievements and future growth possible.
For more details or to support our efforts, please contact
karisa@oceanblueproject.org
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