OCEANA

Oceana is the largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation. 

In 2010 my son, Wyatt, who was seven years old at the time, learned about the Pacific Gyre and thought it was crazy that adults hadn't taken care of the garbage that was trashing the ocean. He wanted to do something to let people know about it and decided to create an art show, write a book, and make a claymation movie called "Save the Sea from the Trash Monster!" and then give all the profit to Oceana. So he did. Yup. He was seven.  

I helped with the logistics Wyatt couldn't manage at that age, like showing him how to make a claymation film, and reaching out to the people who could support his efforts, and after making 90 clay sculptures over the summer after 1st grade, he held an art show to raise awareness and funds for Oceana. His age played in his favor, as the media picked up on a little kid doing something to protect our planet and it was all kind of crazy; he was a guest on radio shows, the local news, and even national television shows. He was recognized for his work by GQ Magazine at the Gentleman's Ball, Time Magazine for Kids, and numerous other environmental non-profit eco-hero awards like Action for Nature, and the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heros.  (Wyatt is now 23 years old, a graduate from the Rhode Island School of Design, and continues to support environmental and humanitarian organizations with his artwork.)

Because of this experience, I worked closely with Oceana and have been so impressed with what they have been able to accomplish worldwide. There is so much to do to save our world's oceans and the life in it, and at times it seems overwhelming, but Ocean makes a difference, and I am so grateful to them for their hard work and positive impact.

Our earth is called The Blue Planet because 71% of our surface is water. The health of our future depends on the health of our oceans. If you want to support an organization that is fighting to protect it, Oceana is a great one to contribute to.