Connecting, educating, and inspiring communities to become good ocean neighbors.
Ocean Neighbors volunteers are middle school students connecting their community to the ocean. Volunteers talk to their neighbors, learn with their peers, and create weekly yard signs bringing the Pacific Ocean to neighborhoods throughout Southern California and beyond.
Middle school students find their voice in a shared community through this hybrid volunteer program. They bring the ocean inland, connecting our entire Southern California community to the Pacific Ocean, and beyond.
Volunteers learn about ocean conservation and marine science, explore the Aquarium, and connect with their neighborhoods. By working collaboratively, Ocean Neighbors foster a sense of community and shared responsibility for protecting marine ecosystems, making a tangible difference in their community.
Ocean Neighbors volunteers learn from dedicated high school mentors during weekly online collaboration sessions. Mentors are experienced Aquarium of the Pacific volunteers who bring knowledge and enthusiasm to the experience. These mentors play a crucial role in guiding middle school volunteers through their journey, providing insights into the Aquarium’s mission and inspiring the next generation of ocean stewardship.
The Ocean Neighbor program is a hybrid program that allows middle school students to connect with ocean conservation and their community. Students will meet virtually every Wednesday from 4:30 pm–5:30 pm via Teams and participate in optional offline activities (ex: beach clean-ups).
Teens are turning the tide at the Aquarium of the Pacific through volunteer leadership dedicated to conservation, science, and ocean stewardship.
Youth-led programs by teens, for teens, are here to engage and change the world.
