Marine biologist, writer, policy nerd, Brooklyn native. Co-founder @UrbanOceanLab, think tank for the future of coastal cities. In love with climate solutions. Engaging local youth through surfing, storytelling, science, and mindfulness to address social and ecological issues impacting their small-scale fishing communities and marine environment. THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF BEYOND THE SURFACE INTERNATIONAL (BTSI) IS TO EDUCATE AND EMPOWER YOUTH IN SMALL-SCALE FISHING VILLAGES. BTSI IS AN ADJUNCT EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION WITH A MISSION TO PROVIDE LOCAL EDUCATORS WITH INNOVATIVE POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT TOOLS, TRAINING, AND SAFE- SPACES FOR CHILDREN IN COASTAL COMMUNITIES THAT ARE THREATENED BY CLIMATE CHANGE, GLOBAL WARMING, AND SEA LEVEL RISE. THE GOAL IS TO SUPPORT THE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THESE COMMUNITIES WHILE THEY LEARN THAT THEIR SMALL-SCALE FISHING COMMUNITIES ARE VITALLY IMPORTANT IN THE CONTEXT OF FOOD SECURITY, LIVELIHOODS, NATURAL-CULTURAL HERITAGE, AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE. THIS IS DONE THROUGH WORKSHOPS WITH LOCAL EDUCATORS INVOLVING ART PROJECTS, STORYTELLING, SURFING, MINDFULNESS TRAINING AND OTHER ACTIVITIES THAT MOTIVATE YOUTH TO ACTIVELY ENGAGE THEMSELVES AND THEIR COMMUNITIES FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THEIR SOCIO-ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIPS AND THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT SO THAT NATURAL RESOURCES ARE PROTECTED AND ENHANCED.