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.

We hope you can join us for the Fall 2025 session running Wednesday evenings from September 11th - October 9th! 

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
302
US States Represented
38
Countries Represented
38
Trainings
10

Spring 2025 Guest Speakers

Dianna Cohen

Plastic Pollution Coalition
Co-Founder and CEO of Plastic Pollution Coalition (PPC) and a passionate advocate for a world free from plastic pollution, Dianna Cohen is a Los Angeles based visual artist who has shown her work internationally at galleries, foundations, and museums. She uses plastic in her artwork to make a visual and social impact. With plastic bags as her primary material for more than 30 years, Dianna is interested in exploring its materiality through modifications and the material’s relationship to culture, media, toxicity, and the world at large.

Jim Goodman

National Family Farm Coalition
Jim and his wife Rebecca ran a 45-cow organic dairy and direct market beef farm in southwest Wisconsin for 40 years. His farming roots trace back to his great-grandparents immigration from Ireland during the famine and the farm's original purchase in 1848. A farm activist, Jim credits more than 150 years of failed farm and social policy as his motivation to advocate for a farmer-controlled consumer-oriented food system. Currently he serves as a board member of Midwest Environmental Advocates and the Family Farm Defenders.

Nick Kemble

5Gyres
Nick, having grown up near the New Jersey coastline, has held a lifelong admiration for the oceans and marine ecosystems and is an advocate for environmental protection and conservation. He joins 5 Gyres after completing internships with the US House of Representatives, the United Nations, and the Green Climate Fund, where he helped advance international sustainability initiatives and development. Nick is eager to support 5 Gyres by engaging with partners and stakeholders and providing programmatic support to help limit the impacts of plastic pollution on the oceans, ecosystems, and environmental and community health.

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.

Melanie Brown

SalmonState
Melanie is a sockeye salmon harvester in Bristol Bay with Indigenous roots to that place and other places along the western and southwestern coasts of Alaska. She serves on a number of committees and boards so that she can be apprised of what is happening in the industry and the state of affairs regarding the future health of fish runs in Alaska. Her winter work as Outreach Coordinator for SalmonState is focused on maintaining healthy habitat for wild salmon.

SAMPLE TRAINING TIMELINE

Module 1: Course Intro and the Power of Storytelling (September 7th 2023)

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

Module 2: Watershed Health and Empowering Your Voice (September 14th, 2023)

  • Watershed health and the ocean  
  • Empower your voice through engaging with your fellow Ambassadors

Module 3: Getting involved with an Emphasis on Plastic Pollution (September 21st, 2023)

  • Plastic pollution and climate 
  • How to perform brand audits

Module 4: Deep-sea Mining and Engaging with Legislative Leaders (September 28th, 2023)

  • Deep-sea mining and the International Seabed Authority 
  • Advocating for a healthy ocean and watersheds

Module 5: Supplements and Introduction to the Inland Ocean Network (October 5th, 2023)

  • 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