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Heirs To Our Ocean (H2OO) recently joined forces with Bay Area Wilderness Training (BAWT) to strengthen our commitment to equipping youth with the skills and experiences needed to become confident in building skills in off-grid environments. As part of this collaboration, H2OO Program Coordinator Emily Berglund participated in the transformative July 2024 BAWT Backcountry Leadership Course.

Reflecting on her journey, Emily shares:

“As part of Heirs To Our Ocean’s partnership with Bay Area Wilderness Training, I had the opportunity to participate in the July 2024 Bay Area Wilderness Training (BAWT) Backcountry Leadership Course—a transformative five-day backpacking deep-dive. This immersive experience in Tahoe National Forest brought together educators and other trip leaders to exchange knowledge and develop skills essential for planning and leading impactful backpacking trips with youth.

The course covered everything from planning trail navigation, meal preparation, and camp logistics to creating meaningful activities that help youth reflect on the world they want to see and their role in shaping it. Collaborating with other leaders with many years experience in this field offered valuable insights into tangible steps to take to facilitate engaging, safe, and memorable outdoor leadership experiences that leave youth participants wanting to explore their skill-sets and nature connection further.

This training was an impactful growth opportunity and I am confident our backpacking excursions can become even better by incorporating ideas and lessons shared by others in this experience. Upon finishing the course, Heirs To Our Ocean also now has full-access to BAWT’s extensive backpacking gear library so that we may provide scholarshipped youth the gear they need to have successful backpacking experience through H2OO programs at no cost.” – Emily Berglund, H2OO Program Coordinator

In July 2024, Heirs To Our Ocean (H2OO) brought together our Global Youth Leaders from across the globe for an unforgettable Global Youth Leadership Retreat at our headquarters in Redwood City, California. Designed to bring our leadership team in processing the future of the organization, empower, connect, and inspire, the retreat became a melting pot of ideas, shared experiences, and renewed purpose in driving real-world change.

From thought-provoking discussions and skill-building workshops to team activities fostering lifelong connections, the retreat was more than just an event—it was a transformative journey for everyone involved. As participants immersed themselves in collaborative sessions, they found not only inspiration but also a deep sense of community among peers who share a common mission: to create a just and equitable future for all who share our Blue Planet.

Hear from two Global Youth Leaders, Julia and Charley, as they share their reflections on this incredible experience and the impact it had on their personal and leadership journeys:

“The Global Youth Leader Retreat held in July 2024 was a highlight of my summer, providing an incredible opportunity to learn, grow, and connect with youth from around the globe who share the same goal and vision for a better future for our ocean. Stepping away from my usual routine, I immersed myself in engaging and inspiring sessions focused on current environmental issues and how youth can actively participate and create change.

The retreat combined various activities such as discussions, team-building exercises, and workshops that helped us form new friendships, generate ideas, and build confidence. One of my favorite parts of the retreat was the discussions and team-building activities, where we brainstormed ideas, learned more about the organization, and connected with other youth leaders.

This retreat was more than just a break from my daily routine—it was a transformative experience that fostered growth, self-discovery, and lasting connections.” – Julia Tapilatu, 21, H2OO Global Youth Leader

“This retreat felt like a wonderful reminder of why we do the work that we do as youth leaders. Connecting in purpose and with determination to put our planet on a track to a healthier and safer future for all. I feel that as youth leaders, we often become bogged down by our own little worlds, and the negativity we see in the press and media. But this retreat made all the difference in reminding me that we are not alone in our leadership journeys, especially as we fight against the climate and humanitarian crises our generation faces. The opportunity to connect with so many brilliant minds and empathetic souls lifted me up and empowered and strengthened me to continue working so hard for our generation’s future.” – Charley Peebler, 20, H2OO Co-founder & Global Youth Leader

For youth who have demonstrated a commitment to protecting our shared Blue Planet and one another, and who wish to further develop their skills, Heirs To Our Ocean offers internships that meet the needs of the intern and the organization.

“During my internship at Heirs to Our Ocean this summer, one of the most meaningful experiences I had was coordinating preparations for the 5th Cohort of the U.S. Youth Action Council for the UN Ocean Decade. I played a key role in organizing the interview process, drafting the US YAC UNOD handbook/manual, and onboarding new members, which allowed me to connect and manage a diverse group of youth. This project helped me hone my project management skills, and I experienced more growth in collaborating effectively across teams, including coordinating between H2OO staff and the youth leaders. I not only gained invaluable skills in communication and coordination but also developed a deeper understanding of how youth leaders can shape meaningful programs. This experience enhanced my confidence in my abilities and reaffirmed my passion for youth engagement. I look forward to continuing this work now as the Project Coordinator & Fundraising Associate of the US YAC UNOD.” – Armon Alex, 24, H2OO Intern & Global Youth Leader

“Supporting Catarina over the past year as an intern and a supporting adult has been an incredibly meaningful experience that provided me with valuable learning opportunities and unique insights. Together, we participated in various events, including the Human Rights Council Session, where we advocated for free pre-primary and secondary education for all children, and the Climate Resilience Summit at the Vatican, where we addressed the Pope, calling for a new encyclical on children and climate change. We also engaged in numerous consultations and projects to advance the protection of children’s rights and their effective implementation.

Representing H2OO as an intern with Child Rights Connect allowed me to experience decision-making first-hand and to strengthen my skills in communication, coordination, and empathetic leadership. This internship enabled me to adopt new perspectives and learn how to effectively engage in a network closely aligned with the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, while critically working to improve children’s meaningful participation in high-level forums to ensure their voices are heard and taken seriously.” ” – Raina Ivanova, 20, H2OO Intern & Global Youth Leader

In 2024, Heirs To Our Ocean held for the first time an exhibit at the National Youth Leadership Council Conference in St. Paul, Minnesota. This event brought together educators, organizations, and youth leaders committed to empowering young people leading actions in their communities to address critical issues affecting them.

Emily, H2OO Program & Communications Coordinator shares more below:

“H2OO’s exhibit highlighted how our unique programs – from our Summit for Empowerment Action and Leadership (SEAL) to the U.S. Youth Action Council for the UN Ocean Decade – are equipping and supporting youth in addressing the global environmental and humanitarian crises impacting their futures. Through our exhibit display and the networking sessions, we were able to showcase how our programs help youth develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to lead action projects in their communities and how we work to eliminate barriers to youth leadership in high-level decision-making spaces.

The conference was a meaningful opportunity to not only connect with like-minded organizations and share new ideas and strategies for empowering youth to tackle pressing complex issues such as climate change but also for reinforcing the importance of intentional collaborations to amplify youth voices. One key outcome was exploring potential opportunities for new partnerships which could allow us to co-host future workshops with other global oriented orgs and provide more resources for youth leaders. Additionally, several conference attendees applied to Heirs To Our Ocean’s U.S. YAC UNOD 5th Cohort, leading to new members from states that have not yet been represented in the U.S. YAC UNOD program membership.” – Emily Berglund, Program & Communication Coordinator H2OO, California

2024 National Youth Leadership Council Conference

In November 2024, three H2OO Global Youth Leaders headed to Wales, UK to host a series of H2OO workshops during the 2024 UWC Atlantic College OceanCon! Not only did Heirs to Our Ocean have the opportunity to host three workshops in total over the course of this two day conference, we were also afforded the honor of addressing the entire student body, representing from over 90 countries, as we spoke at the closing ceremony of the conference!

Read on to hear more about the experience directly from a couple of the H2OO Global Youth Leaders who co-hosted the workshops:

“Participating in UWC Atlantic’s student-led conference, OceanCon, was an incredible experience! The student organizers organized a comprehensive two-day event for their entire student body and invited Heirs To Our Ocean to collaborate with their students around meaningful youth engagement in the UN Ocean Decade.

We hosted three workshops: two focused on meaningful youth inclusion in the UN Ocean Decade and forming Youth Action Councils for the UN Ocean Decade in the UK, and a video workshop where we co-created a short video with the students to amplify their voices and the importance of intergenerational collaboration in the Decade. During the video workshop, students were extremely engaged, providing their creative input to create a powerful video. I cannot wait to see how it turns out!

Additionally, we were able to connect with the entire student body, who represent 90 different countries, by speaking at their closing ceremony and guiding their collective reflection around the question: “What does the ocean mean to you?” We shared H2OO’s belief that the ocean is a connector, not a divider. I’m leaving the conference feeling inspired and hopeful that our connections to one another can create waves, driving our movement forward.“ – Chloe McKenna, 23, H2OO Global Youth Leader

“Presenting at United World College Atlantic on the establishment of a Welsh Youth Action Council for the UN Ocean Decade gave me the opportunity to connect with international students from around the world and find ways in which our collaboration can make waves within the UNOD. Together we produced a youth-directed video to make the voices of young people heard in the decade. Learning from the unique perspectives of the students in relation to their personal experiences with the ocean and seeing their willingness to get engaged in its protection made me feel hopeful and excited to create positive change!” – Raina Ivanova, 20, H2OO Global Youth Leader

After attending the Youth Summit for the UN Ocean Decade 2020 (YS2020UNOD) my perspective changed because I never really had considered or thought about Indigenous culture and their major contributions to the field of science and innovation. I really enjoyed learning from Olilai’s comprehensive explanation of the Indigenous culture in Palau and would love to learn more too!

As a youth leader, attending Heirs To Our Ocean’s YS2020UNOD was my most enjoyable online conference and by far the most international connections I’ve made!

*Olilai presents at H2OO’s Youth Summit for the UN Ocean Decade 2020*.

*Participants at H2OO’s Youth Summit for the UN Ocean Decade 2020.*

Attending SEAL 2019 was really hard, and I did learn a lot of new things.

I made new friends who are passionate about saving OUR ONLY PLANET.

Being at SEAL 2019 was an experience I will never forget. I learned how to be an effective leader, a brother, and built confidence.

I created an Heirs To Our Oceans chapter after returning to my school, Xavier in Chuuk (in the Federated States of Micronesia). My friends have joined me and we having gained our principal’s approval, we will be doing a lot of activities that will help transform students into leaders.

For my team’s SEAL 2020 film, I presented the topic of “Lack of educational opportunities offered to Latinx students” which was a topic that every team member felt was significant to our generation. In spite of the fact that our experiences were dissimilar, we all agreed that the educational system in the US did not lay out adequate information for students to prepare for circumstances like pandemics, wildfires, racial injustices, and environmental issues. For example, today we still learn from history textbooks that were written decades ago, resulting in outdated, unreliable, and flawed information and we are taught from the perspective of the white man who conquered the land, rather than learning about the experiences of the people who had already established communities and indigenous lifestyles.

It was not until high school that I was exposed to STEM activities and learned about the STEM gap (referring to the lack of women in STEM fields.) Similarly, it was not until I began doing research, about two and a half years ago, that I learned about ecological concerns (water pollution, global warming, deforestation, the green gap, soil erosion, etc.) These issues are important for all students across the world to understand, yet they are not implemented into academic curriculums. These were all issues we wished would’ve been taught to us, but were not. To learn about these topics, we had to individually and collectively seek out opportunities and knowledge.

Gen Z recognizes the need to rethink this education system. If more than one story is being told, students may have a greater understanding of what needs to be done and changed, to keep history from repeating itself.

After learning about these issues, I had to ask myself:

Where do I see these issues happening?
What issues are affecting my city?
What can I do to help solve them?
What is the city doing for our community?
Is the city informing community members about these issues?

As I thought about possible answers to those questions, I realized I did not have any solid answers. I was not prepared to answer those questions because I had no clue.

The US education system failed me, by not providing the tools, knowledge, resources, and information I needed to take action. I wanted to do something, I wanted to change the world, but I did not know where to begin.

SEAL 2020 ended up being exactly what I needed to take action. My team and I worked endlessly on a film that voiced our experiences, and what we think is integral to create change and take action.

SEAL 2020 participants on last meeting together.

I learned a lot about the ocean and how it’s dying because of human activity. I learned that some sunscreen causes coral to die. I learned that we don’t always need a plastic bag — I know because I went a day without plastic. I also learned how to speak in front of a crowd, but most importantly I learned how to protect our oceans.

I am inspired to go out and make big change for my generation.

I am inspired to not use plastic.

I am inspired to teach my community the things I learned from Heirs To Our Oceans.

I am inspired to make our world a better place.

My generation is now on its way! This experience has been amazing, it made me connect more to nature and people.

We became one big protecting family.

And I do believe that despite where we come from, we are a connected group now working towards making a change TOGETHER instead of against each other.

*Participants at final presentation at SEAL 2018.*

Hi, my name is Uldekel Adora Ililau. I am a proud Palauan member of Heirs to Our Oceans.

I was given the opportunity to join SEAL 2018 that impacted my life forever. I made new lifelong friends and learned from others about what they have done in their communities to try to solve our ocean’s challenges. During our studies at camp, I learned so much about the ocean, how humans are impacting our fragile ecosystems, and how we youth can solve this problem. I saw, experienced and then understood the many different reasons why and how our ocean was deeply impacted by all of us.

The camp was held at Melekeok State, one of the many beautiful states in Palau. Joining Heirs To Our Oceans got me to look at our ocean and our planet with a much, much clearer perspective. It has taught me that I myself and all Heirs To Our Oceans members here in Palau must work together. We need to make our mark so we can reach our goal to save our oceans, not only for us but for our future. During camp I came to understand that I was partly responsible for the poor health of our ocean.

I realize that stubbornness and poor decisions must stop and we have to act now and save the ocean before it’s too late. I learned there are many different alternatives that could benefit both us and the environment.

The ocean is depending on us to keep it from dying. As an islander, I definitely don’t want any harm to our oceans, the ocean is our life and without it our culture, customs, and our way of life will surely die.

If we take hands together and make a difference it will benefit generations to come.

*Participants in workshop at SEAL 2018.*

Climate change is one of the most significant issues we are facing today. Plastic, a material that fills our daily lives, is contributing to this crisis. Many people are aware of the numerous negative ways in which plastic is impacting our oceans. But plastics have another hidden threat: climate change. In this way, plastics are a human health crisis and a human rights crisis. Four major petrochemical plant fires occurred in Texas this year. Fires like these have a direct negative human health impact on the vulnerable communities who live in the areas.

How are plastics contributing to the climate crisis? Plastics are made from fossil fuels and contribute to climate change from cradle to grave. Extracting fossil fuels from the earth and transporting them releases huge amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The refining and manufacturing process is also full of emissions that contribute to the climate crisis youth are inheriting. Plastic production is predicted to go up, and with it, so will emissions released into our atmosphere and into our planet’s water system. Plastics add to the climate crisis and directly impact human health throughout their existence. We Heirs are always working to connect the dots between issues like plastics and the climate crisis including the impact upon communities most heavily impacted by anthropogenic impacts.

We recognize that one of the most crucial solutions to the climate crisis is educating and empowering all youth. Heirs learn in a project-based way. We are out in the field talking with scientists, leading and participating in workshops, and practicing thinking critically about what we learn. With this knowledge, we can engage in shared learning with other youth, inspire others to learn about impacts on their ocean and waterways, think critically, and work towards real-world solutions for the world we are inheriting.