field Experience

• Sea Change, LLC
  CEO & Founder
  2019 - Present

  An ocean-minded organization inspiring and activating our communities through action and education for positive, tangible, change. I provide consulting services to transform businesses and people to low-impact lifestyles. Spreading awareness on marine conservation issues, educating on science literacy and providing tools to live more marine-minded it kind of my thing :)
  

• Expeditions South Florida
  Marine Naturalist Tour Guide
  2018 - 2020

  Educating corporate guests from a scientific perspective on FL: flora, fauna, ecology, geography, & natural history through eco-tourism. Experienced SUP, Kayak, snorkeling guide versed in ecology and safety. Each tour I guide has a mandatory debris removal break.

• Youth Environmental
  Alliance, Inc
  Education & Media Coordinator
  2016 - 2020

  Facilitated and educated environmental education programs (in-school/field) for 3.75 years. Educated on a wide variety of environmental topics on S. FL unique and fragile habitats. Grant writer. Coordinated with education directors for scheduling. Gap Analysis. Aided in coordination, facilitation, and education for coastal restoration projects (dune, mangrove restoration efforts). Data entry and database management for contact/client information. Also, main content creator and social media guru.
  

• MIAMI REEF INITIATIVE Marine Science Director 2018-2020

  MRI’s mission is to conserve, protect and restore Miami’s fragile reef systems educating the community on the unique nature of this particular reef system and how their actions impact it. MRI’s mission is also to mobilize the public with volunteer opportunities and citizen science research.
  

• Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center
  Research Assistant Scientific
  Diver, 2014 - 2018

  Benthic data collection via SCUBA, Reef Fish Visual Census (RVC) & National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP) Methodologies. Small boat operations. Support team and data entry.

Volunteering

Surfrider Broward County
Ocean Friendly Restaurants
(OFR) Coordinator
2016-2019

Successfully established and launched South Floridas first suite of Ocean Friendly Restaurants. Maintain Broward County's 12 Ocean Friendly Restaurants. Acting lead marine sustainability consultant for chapter for local businesses interested in reducing plastic and carbon footprints, Find an OFR near you here!

BARNACLE Babes CONTENT CREATOR 2016-present

Regular contributor of magazine content on topics falling within the marine science and ocean conservation realm.

field Education

Nova Southeastern University Halmos College of natural science and oceanography
Master of Science, Marine Biology
2016

Focus; Coral Reef Ecology, Marine Protected Areas, Scientific Diving, Marine Husbandry, & Marine Debris.

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
Bachelor of Science, Marine Science
2011

Focus: Marine Aquaculture, Taxomony, Marine Ecology, Oceanography, Climate Change.

Certifications + Credentials

PADI Dive Certified

• Open Water, Advanced, Rescue, Nitrox, Former AAUS Scientific Diver

Divers Alert Network (DAN)

• CPR, First Aid, & O2 for the Professional Rescuer

Florida Master Naturalist

• Environmental Interpretation & Habitat Assessment Modules

Project WILD Professional Development

• Aquatic WILD & Flying WILD Modules

Aquatic Species Collection Permit

• FWC & FMSEA

Leave No Trace Certified

Policy for change

Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2021

builds on successful statewide laws across the U.S. and outlines practical plastic reduction strategies to realize a healthier, more sustainable, and more equitable future. The federal bill, which is sponsored by Sen. Jeff Merkley (OR) and Rep. Alan Lowenthal (CA), represents the most comprehensive set of policy solutions to the plastic pollution crisis ever introduced in Congress.

CONTACT CONGRESS NOW WITH A FEW CLICKS

Here is the fact sheet with all you need to know about it!

Single-Use Plastics Ban

§ 97.05 Single-Use Plastics on Hollywood Beach Florida

§ 124.07 B. (16) Non-Disposable Tableware, Hollywood FL

Ordinances against using expanded polystyrene products in public parks and on beaches.

Plastic Bag Ban

§ 114-2. Plastic Bag Use Prohibited, Long Beach Island NJ

Support FL SB1014/ HB6039 in the 2018 Legislative Session

Straws upon request

“Straws by request only” ordinances and/or “no plastic straws” ordinances.

Sunscreen Bans

Ban on Oxybenzone and Octinoxate, Key West, FL

H.R.1834 - Defending Our National Marine Sanctuaries

Balloon Releases

§ 115-11. Release of Balloons, Long Beach Island, NJ

Ordinances against all intentional balloon releases, including latex balloons.

Smoking on Beaches

Resolutions of support for home rule on smoking bans for playgrounds and beaches.

lifestyle

• Carbon Footprint - Reduced petroleum/fossil fuel dependency, Energy efficient lights and appliances etc. Footprint currently around 15 metric tons of CO2e

• H20 - Water conservation efforts via rain collection, low-flow shower heads, low flow toilets, planting native gardens

• Inorganic Waste Management - Zero-Waste, Plastic-Free & Single-Use Free Practices. Proper Recycling methods.

• Organic Waste Management - Composting, urban gardening.

• Hobbies: playing music (guitar, ukulele, singing, mandolin, cajon and a mean tambourine), swimming, SUP exploring, diving, creating marine debris art, digging in the sand, drone work. 

seymour the SeaHorse

A WORKBOOK writen BY BOCA SAVE OUR BEACHES

The ocean is an enormous and powerful body of water. It's hard to imagine that putting something small in it, like a plastic bottle or a drop of oil, could make any difference in its well-being or hurt the plants and animals that call it home.

But, plastic pollution is now considered one of the largest environmental threats facing humans and animals globally. Did you know that every piece of plastic ever made still exists today?

Boca Save our Beaches, Inc. presents “Seymour’s First Journey into a Sea of Debris” – An interactive children’s workbook educating the young generation on the issue of marine debris and what we can do to help. The workbook, written by Boca Save our Beaches, is ideal for children ages 3-7. The colorful pages, illustrated by local Florida marine artist Tom D’Auria, depict the story of a Seahorse named Seymour that embarks on a lesson about marine debris.

We made the local news!

want to to bring Seymour to your classroom?

Contact Jessica Gray Founder of BSOB: jgray@bocasob.com

Tell her Mermaid Morgan shared this with you :)