Ocean Heroes Network Expands Programming Across All 24 Time Zones

The Ocean Heroes Network (OHN), a non-profit program co-founded by Captain Planet Foundation and Lonely Whale, embraces and promotes the global youth movement to positively impact the ocean and wellbeing of our planet, announced today that it is rapidly expanding the tools and resources needed to enable existing and emerging youth leaders ages 9-20 to channel their passion for a healthy ocean into impactful, tide turning campaigns:

• Basic Training - for the first time ever, youth can access an online, 12-part program that offers the foundational understanding of ocean health, plastic pollution, and successful campaigning to prepare all youth for the Bootcamp experience. The training culminates with young Ocean Heroes presenting their “Big Ocean Hero Idea” - which they will build upon during the Bootcamp experience.

• Global Bootcamp - more than 400 youth across 36 countries participated in the 2020 virtual Ocean Heroes Global Bootcamp. The 2021 program is being offered June 24-27 to existing and emerging youth activists around the globe.

• Plastic Tide Turners Badge, Level Four - in collaboration with the UN Environment Programme’s Plastic Tide Turners Program, youth who have earned Tide Turner badges are eligible to receive advanced Ocean Hero Level training to complete their Level Four badge requirement. Two trainings will be held:
  • Africa, July 22-25
  • India/SE Asia, August 5-8

• Regional Caribbean Bootcamp - the first regional bootcamp held in 2020 saw more than 100 youth from across 18 island nations in a first of its kind youth-led convening. The 2021 Caribbean Bootcamp, “One Caribbean, One Sea”, will be held September 30-October 3.

“In addition to the Ocean Heroes Global Bootcamp, we are honored to collaborate with the UN Environment Program (UNEP)’s Tide Turners Plastic Challenge to roll out new Regional Bootcamps this year in Africa, India and the Caribbean” says Leesa Carter-Jones, President and CEO of Captain Planet Foundation and Founding Partner of the Ocean Heroes Network.

"With the Ocean Heroes Network, UNEP is now able to offer a new level of advanced "Hero Level" training that takes Tide Turners even further than they've gone before - continuing our mission to create a new movement of young people across the world who will be committing to take action to reduce plastic waste in their lives," said Sam Barratt, Chief, Youth, Education & Advocacy, UNEP Ecosystems Division.

“I've learned the magnitude of my power as a youth and that youth do have a say in what happens in the environment,” said Heather Brockbank, age 18 from Freeport, Grand Bahama; youth environmentalist and advocate.

Youth ages 9-20 learn from experts, adult allies and peers, on how to collaborate across cultures, backgrounds, and time zones. The goal is to train young people how to create meaningful, successful campaigns that help beat plastic pollution and address a climate-friendly future. At the core of the program youth gain the life skills necessary to become leaders in their everyday lives.

“Youth enter as individual leaders and leave with the supportive community they need to create and collaborate on successful campaigns that benefit the health of the ocean,” says Dune Ives, CEO of Lonely Whale and Founding Partner of Ocean Heroes Network. “We believe that youth are the most motivated and passionate force in the world. They carry with them an unbound belief that anything is possible. It’s our responsibility to answer their call.”

This year’s free online programming offers a variety of learning options including live events, demonstrations, networking opportunities, panels, learning modules and more. More than 50 NGOs and expert campaigners have delivered programming since 2018 and this year’s lineup includes notables such as:

• Wildlife photographer Inka Cresswell, serving as this year’s keynote speaker
• Greenpeace Senior Ocean Plastics Campaigner Lisa Ramsden
• Youthtopia founder and Bye-Bye Plastic Bags co-founder Melati Wijsen
• Actor and The One Movement founder Petrice Jones
• NFL Pro Bowler and EcoAthlete Ovie Mughelli of the Ovie Mughelli Foundation
• Bahamas Plastic Movement founder and recipient of The Goldman Prize Kristal Ambrose
• Intersectional Environmentalist founder Leah Thomas

Recognizing the importance of providing tools and resources to help young leaders combat the immense eco-anxiety they carry, OHN is once again providing mindfulness training and practice sessions through returning partner MINDUP, an organization founded by actor Goldie Hawn.

To complement programming, the unique perspectives, wisdom, and optimism from Ocean Hero Network alumni have been consolidated into a first of its kind digital and print magazine. Edited by six global youth leaders, OH-Wake is a resource for children, young adults and their families who care deeply for and wish to take more action to protect and replenish the ocean. Free digital copies can be accessed and downloaded at www.oceanheroeshq.com/oh-wake and printed versions can be purchased at cost at www.lonelywhale.org/oh-wake.

To attend this year’s Global Bootcamp, all youth must register by June 21. To learn more about the Ocean Heroes Network, visit www.oceanheroeshq.com.

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ABOUT OCEAN HEROES NETWORK

Co-founded in 2017 by Captain Planet Foundation and Lonely Whale, the Ocean Heroes Network (OHN) is a non-profit program that embraces and promotes the global youth movement to positively impact the ocean and wellbeing of our planet for generations to come. Ocean Heroes Network organizes and hosts local, regional, and global youth Bootcamps; virtual and in-person experiences that give existing and emerging youth activists the leadership training, access to experts, and community they need to transform their passion for ocean health into campaigns that support the attainment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. In support of SDG 14.1, the OHN has joined forces with the UN Environment Program’s Tide Turners Plastic Challenge Badge Program. For more information on Ocean Heroes Basic Training, Bootcamps or the OH-Wake Magazine, visit www.oceanheroeshq.com. You can also connect with Ocean Heroes HQ on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

PRESS CONTACT: Ali Westergren, ali@dittoepr.com (c) 317.508.7446
Dittoe Public Relations

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