Ocean
Stewardship
Programs
Hands-on environmental science for BIPOC youth. Water quality monitoring, marine debris education, watershed mapping, and the tools to become environmental leaders.
Not just learning about the ocean — protecting it.
Stewards, Not
Spectators
Environmental education shouldn't happen in a classroom alone. Our youth learn water quality monitoring by testing real waterways. They identify marine debris on the beaches they surf. They map watersheds from Cuyamaca to the coast.
Science becomes personal when it's your ocean.
Every stewardship program connects environmental science to cultural identity. Youth don't just collect data — they become advocates for the health of their communities, their coastline, and the waters that connect them.
Four Pillars of
Stewardship
Water Quality Monitoring
Youth learn to test pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, and bacteria levels at local waterways. Real data, real science, real impact on community health.
Marine Debris Education
Identification, classification, and cleanup of marine debris. Youth become citizen scientists tracking pollution from source to sea.
Watershed Mapping
Tracing water from Cuyamaca to the coast. Youth map the journey of their local watershed and understand how upstream actions affect the ocean.
Environmental Advocacy
Youth find their voice on environmental policy, attend community meetings, and advocate for the health of the waters and beaches they call home.
Stewardship in Action
Frequently Asked Questions
Ocean stewardship is the practice of caring for and protecting our ocean, coastline, and connected waterways. At Un Mar de Colores, it means hands-on environmental education where youth learn water quality science, marine debris monitoring, watershed ecology, and how to advocate for healthier oceans.
Youth learn water quality testing, marine debris identification and data collection, watershed mapping from Cuyamaca to the coast, and environmental advocacy skills. Every lesson connects science to their own community and culture.
Visit our contact page or reach out directly. Stewardship education is integrated into our after-school and summer programs. All programs are free and open to youth in the Oceanside and greater San Diego area.
Our stewardship curriculum is woven into programs for youth ages 6 through 17. The depth of science and advocacy work scales with age — younger students focus on observation and ecology, while teens take on data collection and policy engagement.
Protect
Your Ocean
All stewardship programs are free. Join the next generation of environmental leaders protecting our coast.