WANT TO BE A CHAMPION FOR OUR OCEAN?

Are you passionate about protecting our ocean and looking to make a difference? We often hear that the ocean is in trouble or that it’s too late to act, but we want to show you that just one person can make a difference.

The Inland Ocean Ambassador Training Program is a 5-session, 5-week online program offered twice per year that prepares individuals to take action to protect our ocean and waterways. The Spring 2026 training will run Wednesday from 5 - 7pm MT (7 - 9pm EST), April 8th to May 6th, with each session covering different themes relevant to topical marine conservation issues. The course is designed to empower individuals to act as leaders in ocean advocacy from anywhere in the world, no matter how close or far they may live to a coast.

While we know that our ocean is in trouble, it’s also not too late to act. According to a major recent scientific review, our ocean can be restored to its previous bountiful state, but only with a redoubling of conservation efforts. We’ve already seen dramatic improvements in many areas. In 2000, less than 1% of our ocean was protected; now it is almost 8%. Many whale, sea lion, and other marine animal populations are increasing and good things are happening because people are more aware and taking action.

A big part of turning things around will include getting more people involved around the country and across the globe, and not just those who live on the coast. Join us in building this Inland Ocean movement, and bring ocean action to your community!

TRAINING DETAILS

The virtual IOA Training Program is designed to prepare individuals with the skills and tools to be powerful advocates for ocean and watershed health. Over five weeks, Ambassadors from all over the country learn from top ocean advocates, scientists, and policymakers, and network with other Inland Ocean Ambassadors and partner organizations to expand their ocean and water expertise. Ambassadors gain experience in community engagement and advocacy and get the tools needed to be effective ocean and water champions in their communities from experts in the field of ocean conservation. Previous speakers have included Violet Sage Walker, Wallace J Nichols, Enric Sala, David Helvarg, Hilary Stevens, and Andrew Lang Wong

The training covers watershed health, plastic pollution, the ocean as a solution to climate change, marine protected areas, fisheries management and sustainable seafood, the power of storytelling, how we are Heartwired to love the ocean, and much more. 

We accept applicants who want to be effective ocean and watershed advocates and be actively involved in our Inland Ocean Network. This training is designed to be interactive and participants will be expected to engage with the group throughout the five weeks. 

 

INLAND OCEAN NETWORK (ION)

After completion of the Inland Ocean Ambassador Training Program, participants will become members of the Inland Ocean Network (ION). ION is a network of Ambassadors spanning across the nation and serves as a hub for ocean protection initiatives, problems, solutions, and calls to action. Through ION, Ambassadors have access to engagement activities including call-in days, nationwide cleanup days, campaign involvement, and more.. ION provides resources, forms relationships, connects members, and catalyzes movement actions to create a more just and equitable representation of the inland ocean movement. 

Since the ocean is not only a coastal issue, ION will grow the involvement of inland communities, unite inland and coastal communities, and grow the actions and measures taken to protect and restore our ocean.

US Ambassador Map

World Ambassador Map

US states and countries represented by Inland Ocean Ambassadors

Ocean Ambassadors Trained
352
US States Represented
40
Countries Represented
41
Trainings
13

Spring 2026 Guest Speakers

Colles Stowell

One Fish Foundation
Colles Stowell is Founder and President of One Fish Foundation, an organization that brings sustainable seafood conversations into classrooms and communities. With a background in journalism, he began writing about sustainable fisheries and sustainable seafood in 2011 after seeing once abundant species like Atlantic salmon and Atlantic cod pushed to the point of collapse. Since then, Colles has delved into issues ranging from privatization of our oceans to the devastating impact the proposed Pebble Mine would have on the world’s largest wild salmon run, located in Bristol Bay, Alaska. Colles’s work with One Fish Foundation aims to strike the balance to support well-managed fisheries, transparent, local seafood systems, and healthy oceans for future generations.

Carlyle Stewart

Rocky Mountain Farmers Union
Carlyle Stewart, originally from Southeast Michigan, spent the better part of his younger years working on holistically managed cattle ranches throughout Montana and New Mexico. Beyond that work, he has experience working as a youth pastor, community organizer, and hospital chaplain. He currently serves as the Director of the AgWell Program within the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, an initiative focusing on wellness, holistic health, and suicide prevention among farmers, ranchers, and farmworkers. He is also the owner/operator of Llano Seco Land and Livestock, a sheep and cattle operation based in Guadalupe County, New Mexico. Carlyle is a lover of border collies and good horses; and a radical believer in the power of healthy land, empowered communities, and thriving local food systems that can restore balance to our world.

Autumn Blum

Stream2Sea
Autumn Blum is a cosmetic chemist, entrepreneur, and lifelong ocean advocate. A member of the Women Divers Hall of Fame, she has presented to the National Academies of Science, testified before the Senate, and played a key role in helping to ban toxic ingredients in Hawaii, the Florida Keys, the Virgin Islands, and beyond. As a Board of Advisors member for Reef Renewal USA, she actively supports coral restoration efforts. Driven by the belief that small changes can create big impacts, she encourages everyone to take personal responsibility in protecting our blue planet.

Tori Hunt

Earth Echo
Tori Hunt is a science communicator and environmental educator based in Chicago, IL, and a citizen of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. She earned a degree in Chemistry with a Concentration in Secondary Education from Appalachian State University and began her career teaching Earth and Environmental Science in North Carolina high schools. Currently, Tori serves as the Associate Manager of Youth Engagement at EarthEcho International, where she manages the Blue Carbon Ambassador Program, which engages youth from coastal communities in a hands-on professional learning experience focused on how blue carbon ecosystems - including salt marshes, mangroves, seagrass, and seaweed - help fight the climate crisis. She also leads initiatives for GenSea, EarthEcho's digital community which unites over 3,000 youth from 120+ countries for learning, networking, and collective action for our ocean planet.

Dr. Basia Marcks

Ocean Defense Initative
As Program Director of the Ocean Defense Initiative, Basia advocates for ocean climate action that centers the health of marine ecosystems and meets the needs of coastal communities. She previously served as a Knauss Legislative Fellow on the House Natural Resources Committee subcommittee on Water, Wildlife & Fisheries, playing a key role in producing evidence-based policy recommendations.

SAMPLE TRAINING TIMELINE

Module 1: Course Intro and the Power of Storytelling (April 8th, 2026)

  • Introduction and course overview
  • The power of storytelling: how we are Heartwired to love the ocean
  • How the ocean impacts our lives

Module 2: Connecting Land, Water, and Mental Health (April 15th, 2026)

  • Understand how what we do on land impacts watershed health and the ocean  
  • Learn how to perform data-driven clean ups in your neighborhood

Module 3: Addressing Microscopic Threats to our Waterways (April 22nd, 2026)

  • Take action against petrochemical pollution 
  • Get involved in programs to address macro- and microplastic pollution

Module 4: Youth Organizing and Engaging with Legislative Leaders (April 29th, 2026)

  • Boost your strength in bringing people together for community action
  • Empower your voice and advocate for the ocean

Module 5: Supplements and Introduction to the Inland Ocean Network (May 6th, 2026)

  • Inland Ocean Ambassador Graduation Ceremony
  • Inland Ocean Network and next steps as an Ambassador

TESTIMONIALS

“I am so happy and grateful for being guided to take part in the Inland Ocean Coalition Cohort. Through this program, not only have my eyes been opened to the problems surrounding our oceans but also ways to educate and reach out to people around the nation on solutions for future generations! I feel I have grown as a student and leader in my community through this program and I recommend anyone interested in learning about problems existing in our natural world to take part.” -DaRon Shavers

“The IOA program is an inspiring experience full of people who encourage each other to put their best fin forward for the ocean!” -Tabitha Birdwell

“The IOA training is knowledge-packed, inclusion-focused, and action-forward! It left me feeling inspired to work with my new colleagues and friends to apply what we learned to protect our ocean and land – starting with the 30×30 campaign.” – Angie Joerin

“I truly loved hearing from all the speakers, learning all the different ways that we can help, and knowing there are ways to get involved in our communities on so many different levels. I’m excited to start doing my part to help save our ocean and to spread the word of how everyone can help!” – Suzi Fowler

“I liked the topics studied. Real issues, how to address them. Also, the real life opportunities that follow the training. I signed up because I wanted to make a difference in my community. We got together, learned and now it’s time!” – Priscila

“I most liked getting to hear from different speakers and all the resources that were shared with us each week. I also really loved making friends through this process.” – Michelle