Supported by a NOAA Marine Debris Program grant, this youth-led effort strives to reduce plastic pollution in their community. Zero Waste Washington is working with student cohorts to conduct community-­based education and engagement around litter that impacts the Duwamish River and nearby Puget Sound in Washington State. Participants are learning about litter, marine debris, and video production. With their newly acquired knowledge and skills they are creating public service announcement videos, conducting door-to-door outreach, and other community engagement activities to raise awareness of the issue within their community.  

Shanelle taught the students about the field of communications, college and career paths, and what skills need to be developed to work within the field. To support student outreach efforts, she discussed best practices for engaging with the community around marine debris and strategies for developing marine debris messaging. This is the second cohort of students that Shanelle and Pacific Northwest Regional Coordinator, Andrew Mason, have presented to over the past year. We are looking forward to seeing what the students create!

For more information, please contact Shanelle.Naone@noaa.gov.