Ocean resources and policy influence have long been inequitable due to racism, colonialism, and industrialization. Meanwhile, coastal communities face disproportionate impacts from climate change, pollution, overfishing, habitat loss, coastal gentrification, and oil and gas activities. Since 2023, Upwell: A Wave of Ocean Justice has prioritized the experiences and voices of communities who have been historically excluded from ocean conservation discussions. Below organizers, participants, and speakers reflect on their experiences this year.
Alexcia Best-Gill, Campaign Associate for Climate and Energy, Oceana
Panelist on Offshore Drilling
Spaces like Upwell are where people go to be heard. Upwell gives space to people from underrepresented communities to share their perspectives and thoughts with people who understand and listen. I do not know of another conference that has so many people from the U.S. Territories having beautiful, thought provoking, public panel discussions. These are important viewpoints that should have a larger hand in developing ocean conservation policy. It also gives space for networking with people from around the country and internationally who do not regularly interact, which only strengthens the conservation web.
Kat So, Campaign Manager for Energy and Environment, Center for American Progress
2026 Upwell Chair
I hope that attendees leave with a feeling of community, belonging, and invigoration to continue pursuing their advocacy and career goals. The intent of Upwell has always been to create a space within ocean conservation that centers lived experiences of frontline communities, Indigenous leaders, youth advocates, and underrepresented people.
My career has grown in parallel with the growth of Upwell. I am proud to be one of the founding members in 2023. Through my involvement in Upwell, I strengthened my networks and skills, and learned so much about what it means to be a leader. This has been fulfilling and meaningful work for the past four years. I’m grateful for the support from the ocean community, and it was an honor to be chosen by the organizing committee as the first-ever Upwell Conference Chair this year.
One of the things I’m taking away from the experience is the importance of sharing power and supporting the growth of others and the movement. I’m thrilled to pass the literal tiara of leaderships to Priscilla Miller at Azul, the next Upwell Conference Chair, and Juliana Ojeda at Green 2.0, the next Upwell Conference Deputy Chair.
Cynthia Burgos López, Co-Founder and Executive Director, La Maraña
Panelist on Ocean Justice in the Era of Equity and Environmental Rollbacks
The ocean is part of everything. There is no topic we can truly understand or deepen without recognizing it as part of an interconnected system. Too often, conversations happen in silos, which is precisely why spaces like Upwell are necessary—to connect disciplines, perspectives, and experiences around a resource that touches every aspect of our lives. Sharing experiences and stories around this topic helps us understand these interconnections and develop site-specific strategies grounded in the learnings of partners and collaborators. At the watershed scale—from the mountains to the coast, from land to sea, across scales, systems, economic sectors, and educational backgrounds—water connects us all. Whatever we do impacts the ocean, which is why Upwell is exactly what we need: a space that brings us together to learn from one another and work toward more connected ocean solutions.
You can watch recordings from Upwell 2026 here.