The conference brought together 20 Virginia educators to discuss diverse topics ranging from story-telling, data collection, mapping, science standards, and wildlife education relevance for Virginia. 

Alexandria and Christy led an interactive session, “Encouraging Student Leadership to Create a Marine-Debris-Free Community”. Alexandria shared information about the NOAA Marine Debris Program, marine debris resources, lesson plans, and opportunities to encourage student leadership. Christy presented on Mid-Atlantic regional projects, the Mid-Atlantic Marine Debris Action Plan’s opportunities for educators, and Virginia response efforts. Additionally, the NOAA Marine Debris Program’s fiscal year 2020 prevention grantees, Keep Prince William Beautiful with George Mason University, presented on the marine debris project’s community approach to reducing single-use plastic beverage bottles. Attendees came away with a better understanding of the NOAA Marine Debris Program’s robust suite of resources and local partners inspiring youth to lead the way in making Virginia free of marine debris.

For more information please contact Alexandria.Brake@noaa.gov or Christy.Kehoe@noaa.gov.