Sponsored by New York Sea Grant, Coastal Steward and the Youth Ocean Conservation Team


Students gave a thumbs up to the Youth Ocean Conservation Summit in 2014

Stony Brook, NY, October 14, 2015 - Around the world, the ocean and its inhabitants face many challenges as human impacts continuously threaten the health of marine ecosystems. How can we empower the next generation of ocean conservationists?

New York Sea Grant has teamed up with the Coastal Steward organization to arrange a Youth Ocean Conservation Summit (YOCS) at Stony Brook University’s Wang Center on Saturday, 21 November, 2015 from 8am to 4pm.  

Says New York Sea Grant Director Bill Wise, “The Summit will provide an opportunity for students to learn of real-world marine conservation issues affecting New York and to discuss with peers and professionals how to organize themselves into small teams to undertake real-world marine conservation projects.”  Wise, former Associate Dean of the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, was the longtime director of the Bay Scallop Bowl, an annual competition among high school students well versed in marine science.

Attendees will be inspired by dynamic speakers and stories of student-driven ocean conservation projects, develop plans for their own projects and take part in workshops designed to ensure success.

“Participants will also have the opportunity to network with researchers, marine organizations and other young people who are passionate about ocean preservation,” says David Chase, Director of Educational Programs of Coastal Stewart. Chase was a long-time coach for the highly successful Mount Sinai High School Bay Scallop Bowl team.

Register online at www.coastalsteward.org. The $20 registration fee includes snacks, lunch and program materials.


All smiles while learning about scallop restoration at 2012's Youth Ocean Conservation Summit.


Examining the finds from a seining activity during 2014's Youth Ocean Conservation Summit.


Kayakers converge during one of the field trips at the Youth Ocean Conservation Summit in 2014.


More Info: New York Sea Grant

New York Sea Grant (NYSG), a cooperative program of Cornell University and the State University of New York, is one of 33 university-based programs under the National Sea Grant College Program (NSGCP) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The NSGCP engages this network of the nation’s top universities in conducting scientific research, education, training and extension projects designed to foster science-based decisions about the use and conservation of our aquatic resources. Through its statewide network of integrated services, NYSG has been promoting coastal vitality, environmental sustainability, and citizen awareness about the State’s marine and Great Lakes resources since 1971.

For updates on Sea Grant activities: www.nyseagrant.org has RSS, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube links. NYSG also offers a free e-list sign up via www.nyseagrant.org/coastlines for its flagship publication, NY Coastlines/Currents, which is published several times a year.