This blog post was written by Jarelys N. Merle Crespo, a 2025 Blue Carbon Ambassador.

Sometimes life gives you moments that stop you in your tracks. Moments that feel like a giant “wow” and resonate deep in your soul. My experience at the 2025 Youth Ambassador Retreat in California was one of them, and it still fills my heart with every memory and every person I met.

The conservation of our ecosystem is a constant fight, but it's also an act of deep love. My work with Surfrider Puerto Rico has taught me that the places that take our breath away depend on us. They depend on us understanding that we're part of something bigger, something that goes far beyond our personal interests. In a world that often forgets the Earth, I had the privilege of sharing with incredible souls who haven't forgotten it. Connecting with people who share this passion at such a deep level filled me with immense emotion and showed me that change is truly possible.

During the retreat, I had the opportunity to present my project, Eco-Care PR, to the other ambassadors and mentors. I came to this experience with a specific purpose: to shine a light on the critical challenges facing Puerto Rico's coasts.

Our island faces two major threats that jeopardize our natural heritage. First, we have the loss of "blue carbon ecosystems," specifically our vital mangroves and seagrass beds. These ecosystems act as natural shields against storms and provide essential habitats for countless marine species. Second, we are dealing with the immense problem of sargassum seaweed, which arrives in record amounts each year, suffocating our coasts and impacting wildlife like the endangered leatherback sea turtle. These turtles travel thousands of miles to nest on our beaches, but their paths are now blocked by sargassum, and their nesting grounds are being destroyed by pollution and erosion.

In my presentation, I outlined our solution: a project focused on coastal restoration and community education. My goal was to share a clear vision for how we can actively protect our vital ecosystems and build a more resilient future for our island. I spoke about the need for hands-on initiatives that not only heal the environment but also empower our community to become part of the solution. Our initiative is a way to turn a huge problem into a chance to help our local economy and protect our natural heritage, and it combines direct action with innovative ways to inspire the next generation.

My goal is to work with local groups and volunteers to create a movement, a "revolution of environmental care."

One of the most valuable parts of the retreat was the chance to interact with leaders in the environmental field. I had a profound conversation with Philippe Cousteau Jr., the founder of EarthEcho. I spoke to him about the unique challenges we face in Puerto Rico, from the sargassum crisis to the need for greater awareness and education.

He listened with genuine interest and seemed deeply concerned about the situation on our island. His understanding and validation of my work were invaluable. It reaffirmed that our message—that the beaches belong to the people and that education is our most powerful tool—resonates with a global audience. Seeing someone from his position care about what’s happening in a place far away is proof that the collective consciousness we need is already growing.

My time as a council member is just beginning, and I now have a renewed clarity about what I want to achieve. My heart continues to be filled with every memory, every person I met, and the shared conviction to protect what we love. I am excited to apply everything I learned to make an even greater impact in my community. I want to continue educating future generations and ensure that the voice of Puerto Rican activists resonates more loudly than ever.

This is just the beginning of what's possible. A million thanks to EarthEcho for this great experience. As I said at the retreat, "If we are here, it's because there's hope." And today, more than ever, I believe in that hope.