MERITO Foundation
Ocean education, conservation & citizen science · Non-profit · Environmental Consultant
MERITO stands for Multicultural Education for Resources Issues Threatening Oceans
Here at MERITO Foundation, we are committed to protecting the ocean by facilitating education, conservation, and scientific research opportunities to multicultural youth and their communities.
Our Latest News
MERITO is Recruiting 6-12th Grade Science Teachers to Participate in New Project Titled 'V-RAN'
Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) and the MERITO Foundation are excited to announce a new environmental education and action partnership project titled ‘V-RAN’ that will focus on the Ventura River Watershed and are now accepting applications from 6th-12th grade science teachers who wish to participate. For more information, head to our
V-RAN page under Conservation and Citizen Science tab! If you are interested in applying, click the link below to fill out our application.
That is a Wrap!
Our 3 Week Marine Science Beach Camps for Summer 2021 Have Come to an End
For three weeks, children from Ventura County participated in our Marine Science Beach camps held at San Buenaventura State Beach! The participating children had a lot of fun exploring tide pools, identifying birds, counting and measuring sand crabs, learning about marine invertebrates and the Chumash people, painting marine art, discovering wetlands, and participating in beach profiling, thanks to our expert friends from Ventura U.S Fish and Wildlife Office. They also learned about fish, how to fish, and how to release them unharmed from our special guest Kevin from Reel Guppy Outdoors. An optional trip was taken to Santa Cruz Island where children hiked and learned of the Channel Islands National
Park, and also got to snorkel.
Check out pictures from the camps below!
 |  |  |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |
26 Students from 5 Regional Public Schools won Prizes During the EECCOA Challenge 2021 & Awards Events
Congrats to the finalists who participated in the 2021 EECCOA Challenge! Students from five different schools worked hard to create a business proposal to make their homes more sustainable. An array of unique ideas were proposed and the MERITO Foundation hosted the virtual event announcing the winners on Friday, April 30th. The video posted here is a compilation of some of the finalists' project proposals.
You can watch the full live stream of the event on our Facebook page if you missed it.
Our Vision
Our vision is a healthy ocean cared by diverse coastal communities who live in an environmentally responsible manner regardless of native language, economic status, cultural beliefs, or ethnic background because we all share one ocean.
Our Mission
Our Mission is ocean protection through education, conservation, citizen science, and to inspire the next generation of environmental professionals.
548
Educators Trained
20,690
4th-12th grade students immersed in ocean and climate education
529
Project proposals authored by students to reduce their school carbon footprint
$32,050
Sponsored the greening of 10 school campuses
11,264
Students sponsored education trips to Channel Islands
501
Hands on conservation and/or citizen science field experiences
$42,550
Disbursed as cash and in kind prizes to students authors of best projects
29,048
Informed adults on clean and renewable energy options in Ventura County
How We Do It
