Ocean Advocates Update

The image above shows a glance of what’s to come in the coming weeks during our collaboration with Sailors for the Sea. Each week our Ocean Advocates team will be presenting a new challenge with different ways to become more mindful of our impact on the ocean. These weekly updates will be posted to our Instagram (@JSAofLIS) and Facebook accounts. Another way to be involved is to become an ambassador! Reach out to us at our email oceanadvocates@jsalis.org to learn more about how you can represent Ocean Advocates in your summer program.

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There is no sailing without a body of water. That’s a fact. The passion that unites us all requires us to spend days, maybe months, out of the year connected to our oceans and waterways. With that comes a remarkable responsibility and timeliness as we face what’s in front of us.

Whether or not we realize it or are ready, we, as sailors, have a critical role to play in the race to save our planet. Why? Because ocean health is inextricably linked to the earth’s environmental health, and the water is our second home.

At the JSA of LIS, we’ve made it our mission to support junior sailors and help them develop a life-long love of the sport, while encouraging an appreciation and respect for the marine environment.

We feel we’re at a crossroad. As members of the JSA, we have a responsibility to Long Island Sound and are in a position to act. Through the mitigation of our own personal environmental impacts, a commitment to educate others on the opportunity at hand, and a zealous campaign for change, we know that our influence can be powerful.

For anyone within the JSA orbit who feels the same — we need your help.

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Ocean Advocates @ JSAofLIS

We’re thrilled to announce that the JSA, in collaboration with Sailors for the Sea Powered by Oceana, is forming Ocean Advocates @ JSAofLIS, an interdisciplinary team of climate stewards leading the charge to reduce our collective environmental impact.

Ocean Advocates @ JSAofLIS is open to anyone and everyone. Sailors, instructors, parents, sailing directors — the bigger the variety, the bigger the impact. No previous experience with sustainability is required.

As part of the team, Ocean Advocates will have access to resources, ideas and support that will help them educate others, be a voice in their community and ultimately bring about change at their junior sailing program or in their region. Guided by a JSA committee and Sailors for the Sea, they will learn everything they need to know to help junior sailing programs become environmentally responsible. Though levels of participation can certainly vary, Ocean Advocates will become leaders in the fight for ocean health.

The Ocean Advocates program is adapted from Sailors for the Sea’s Clean Regattas Certification, the world’s leading sustainability certification for all on-the-water, near-the-water and water-loving events. Since 2006, over 2,600 events have shown their commitments to sustainability by hosting Clean Regattas, reaching over 700,000 sailors and attendees in over 40 countries.

The Ocean Advocates @ JSAofLIS program endeavors to expand this commitment to junior sailing programs throughout Long Island Sound, provide resources and inspiration to educate our communities, and take steps towards a sustainable future through a connection with the sport we love, sailing. By becoming an Ocean Advocate, you can make small, simple changes in your sailing program, and your daily life, that, together, have the potential to positively impact Long Island Sound and our local and global communities.

Email oceanadvocates@jsalis.org with your interest. We look forward to hearing from you!