(Washington, DC) EarthEcho International announced today the 14 participants, ages 16-21, selected for an innovative ocean restoration program led by youth from racially marginalized communities. The Blue Carbon Ambassador program provides hands-on professional learning experience designed to introduce participants to the role of blue carbon ecosystems (including kelp, seagrass, mangroves, and salt marshes) in fighting the climate crisis. The Ambassadors, hailing from frontline coastal communities in North America, will develop their own projects to support the restoration of blue carbon ecosystems in their local communities.

"EarthEcho recognizes that access to our oceans and the chance to build careers in the restorative blue economy remains unequally distributed," said EarthEcho International founder Philippe Cousteau. "This dynamic group of young leaders brings passion, vision, and diverse perspectives to the expanding movement, advancing ocean-based solutions to restore marine ecosystems and build community-centered climate resilience."  

The Blue Carbon Ambassador Program is made possible through the generous support of La Mer Blue Heart Oceans Fund and The Estée Lauder Companies Travel Retail division.

In 2025, Blue Carbon Ambassadors are exploring blue carbon ecosystems and regenerative ocean aquaculture through field experience, expert-led workshops, and peer-to-peer learning exchanges. Projects will be developed this summer and executed between August 2025-March 2026 and are supported by local community based organizations in their regions, including Billion Oyster Project, Seaweed City, Surfrider Puerto Rico, and Lower 9th Ward Center for Sustainable Engagement and Development.

Meet the 2025 Blue Carbon Ambassadors:

• Acadia Li from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
• Angel Jean-Remy from New York, New York, USA
• Aurora Espasas from Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico, USA
• Bryce Black from New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
• Elizabeth Torres-Priego from New York, New York, USA
• Isabella Allwood from New York, New York, USA
• Isabella Negrón Casillas from  Bayamón, Puerto Rico, USA
• Jafet Santos-Maldonado from  Ensenada, Puerto Rico, USA
• Jafrin Zahir from New York, New York, USA
• Jarelys N. Merle Crespo from Moca, Puerto Rico, USA
• Jyah Hamilton from Harvey, Louisiana, USA
• Paige Parent from New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
• Sofía Nicole Sánchez Villamar from San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA
• Sophia Deng from New York, New York, USA

For more information about Blue Carbon Ambassadors, please visit https://www.earthecho.org/blue-carbon-ambassadors.
For more information about EarthEcho International, visit www.earthecho.org or follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/earthecho Instagram: www.instagram.com/earthecho and Twitter: www.twitter.com/earthecho.

Media Contact, EarthEcho International:
Samah Shaiq
earthecho@signaldc.com

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