A note from Loren

Hi everyone! My name is Loren Mannoia, and I'm the founder and director of Next Wave. I'm super excited to be leading this organization, and am writing this note to anyone interested so they can learn more about what's behind Next Wave and about our mission.

Here's a little bit about me. I am currently a high schooler based in the New York City area, and I have fallen in love with our oceans. While I've always been drawn to the water thanks to being a swimmer and having the opportunity to engage with lakes, the ocean, and other bodies of water, scuba diving is what opened my eyes to the pollution crisis. On my first dive in Turks and Caicos, I saw a bright pink, plastic vape on the seafloor. In the forty-odd dives I've done since across different parts of the world, I've seen garbage on nearly half. I've seen firsthand the effects of pollution on our oceans, whether that is coral bleaching, trash in places it shouldn't be, or abnormal fish migration due to too-warm water. I wanted to do change that, so I started Next Wave.

Next Wave is meant to be an accessible "ladder" for anyone who cares about the ocean to climb. At the bottom of the ladder, you have people who have never experienced scuba diving or don't know what steps they can take to get involved in marine science and conservation. In the middle, you have people like me, who have rescue diver certifications and do work within their community. At the top are the scientists and professionals who have dedicated their career to the same mission as Next Wave: protecting and learning about our oceans. As a young person, I feel this mission keenly, since my generation is inheriting a polluted earth. I am dedicated to protecting it, learning about it, and creating the space for others to join me. Next Wave is especially targeted for youth, even though we have a space for everyone.

I'm so glad you're here; it means that you, too, are part of the mission. Whether you have no idea where to begin or have decided to dedicate your life to our oceans, Next Wave is a place for you. We are so excited to welcome you into our community of fellow water-lovers and citizen scientists, and are so glad we get to help you take action.

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