UCSD - University of California - San Diego

01/06/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/06/2026 14:56

Bringing the Ocean Within Reach: Connecting Students and Communities to Ocean Conservation

Published Date

January 06, 2026

Article Content

The Pacific Ocean is vast; its movements, both subtle and mighty, shape climate, communities and ecosystems. Yet for many high school students in San Diego, the ocean remains something distant-a fleeting view, a world they may never touch.

This year, high school students can join a Conservation Leadershipprogram at UC San Diego. Born from a partnership between Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Division of Extended Studies, the program gives students unprecedented access to the ocean, research labs and working scientists, and empowers them to identify and lead conservation projects in their own communities. Students leave the program with increased environmental literacy, direct exposure to conservation career paths, and greater confidence in their future academic pursuits.

The State of California has allocated over $38 million through its Youth Community Access Programto expand outdoor and cultural learning for young people. From that pool, UC San Diego Extended Studies received $442,170, enabling a deeper partnership with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. The funding will bring youth from underserved communities onto coastal reserves, giving them hands-on experience in protected ecosystems. That exposure opens doors to conservation careers and expands their access to California's parks and natural resources.

"This program is really about giving students access that they would not otherwise have," says Octavio Aburto, professor of marine ecology at Scripps and faculty lead for the program. "Many of these students have never been in the water, seen marine ecosystems up close or learned from people working at the forefront of ocean science. That changes when they participate in this program."

The Conservation Leadership program, which targets high school students from various schools in the San Diego region, emphasizes hands-on experiences and mentorship. Some students will have the opportunity to earn a dive certification, equipping them with a practical skill that broadens their access to the ocean and opens doors to a wide range of careers that rely on diving. Students will also engage in fieldwork, environmental monitoring and lab work, all under the guidance of scientists and instructors.

"This isn't just about teaching science," explains Maysoon Lehmeidi, director of education and community outreach at the Division of Extended Studies. "It's about helping students see how the ocean connects to everything around them-the climate, the land, the communities. It's about empowering them to take that knowledge and use it to make changes locally, in their neighborhoods, in their schools."

Nicole Yen, program manager for the initiative, echoes this focus on mentorship. "Students are paired with mentors who guide them through every step-from understanding the science to applying it in their communities," she says. "These mentors are not just teachers; they are role models who help students imagine new possibilities for themselves and their futures."

"This isn't just about teaching science. It's about helping students see how the ocean connects to everything around them-the climate, the land, the communities." Maysoon Lehmeidi, Director of Education & Community Outreach, UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies

Alberto Rivera, a laboratory manager at Scripps Institution of Oceanography who has worked with high school students for years, underscores the potential ripple effects of the program. "Even if students don't go on to careers in marine science or policy, they can still have an enormous impact," Rivera says. "When students learn to observe, to question and to take action, that knowledge spreads to their families, their schools and their communities. Conservation starts at home, and these students are at the forefront."

Professor Ralph Keeling teaches students about the global carbon cycle and how he measures atmospheric oxygen and carbon dioxide.

The program will draw participants from a range of high schools across San Diego County, including schools that serve students who might not otherwise have access to these kinds of experiences. By connecting them directly to the ocean and the scientists who study it, the program offers a rare bridge between curiosity and opportunity.

For Aburto, the initiative reflects the path that shaped his own career. "I had mentors who opened doors for me," he reflects. "I want to provide the same kind of guidance to these students. They may not yet know what careers they want, but giving them access, giving them tools and giving them mentors makes it possible for them to think bigger and act locally."

Beyond skills and access, the program seeks to instill a broader understanding of environmental stewardship. Students will explore how ecosystems and communities are interconnected, learning that actions on land-from waste management to water use-affect ocean health. They will come to see the ocean not as distant, but as intimately tied to daily life, climate and global sustainability.

"It's remarkable to witness students' eyes open to the complexity and beauty of the ocean," Lehmeidi says. "And it's remarkable to see how that understanding translates into their own communities, in ways that we may not even fully anticipate yet."

With funding from the California Natural Resources Agency, the Conservation Leadership program is more than an educational opportunity; it is a strategic investment in future stewards of the ocean. By blending mentorship, experiential learning and access to professional-grade resources at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the initiative positions high school students to become catalysts for change in conservation-whether or not they pursue scientific careers.

"I had mentors who opened doors for me. I want to provide the same kind of guidance to these students. They may not yet know what careers they want, but giving them access, giving them tools and giving them mentors makes it possible for them to think bigger and act locally." Octavio Aburto, Professor of Marine Ecology, UC San Diego Scripps Institution of Oceanography

"Everything we do on land impacts the ocean, and everything we do in the ocean impacts communities," Aburto says. "If we can instill that understanding and provide the tools to act on it in these young students, we are making a real difference."

For Conservation Leadership students, the ocean is no longer just a distant horizon-it is a place of learning, exploration and empowerment. And through this program, the California coast itself becomes a classroom where science, mentorship and community engagement converge.

UCSD - University of California - San Diego published this content on January 06, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on January 06, 2026 at 20:56 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]