top of page
aaron-wilson-ei280E_b3i8-unsplash.jpg

MERITO Foundation

 Committed to protecting the ocean by facilitating education, conservation, and scientific research opportunities to youth and their communities. 

IMG_9485 2.jpg

Our Vision / Nuestra Visión

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.

Nuestra visión es un océano saludable cuidado por diversas comunidades costeras que viven de manera responsable con el medio ambiente, sin importar el idioma nativo, el estado económico, las creencias culturales o el origen étnico, porque todos compartimos un mismo océano.

IMG_8985.jpg

Our Mission / Nuestra Misión

To protect the ocean by engaging multicultural youth and their communities in transformative experiences in environmental education, scientific research, outdoor recreation, marine conservation & entrepreneurship. 

Nuestra misión es proteger el océano al proveer experiencias transformativas en educación ambiental,  conservación marina, recreación al aire libre, y emprendimiento verde y sostenible a jóvenes multiculturales, y a tráves de ellos, a sus comunidades.

OUR WAVES OF IMPACT

As of July, 2025

721

Educators Trained

12,470

Students sponsored education trips to Channel Islands

30,631+

4th-12th grade students immersed in ocean and climate education

685

Hands on conservation, recreation and/or citizen science field experiences

864

Project proposals authored by students to reduce their school carbon footprint 

$71,050

Disbursed as cash and in kind prizes to students authors of best projects

$32,050

Sponsored the greening of 10 school campuses

29,648

Informed adults on clean and renewable energy options in Ventura County

OUR 4 STRATEGIC PILLARS: How we engage diverse communities in ocean protection

PublicInputActivity-4__ParkwayPreserveForum_6.08.2024.jpg

Community Engagement

Outreach, Public Forums & Assessments

IMG_2467.JPG

Capacity Building

Climate, Ocean & Energy Literacy

IMG_8781.JPG

Youth & Community Participation

Scientific Research &

Habitat Restoration

IMG_0388.JPG

Outdoor Recreation, Leadership, Career Pathways & Green Entrepreneurship

EvelynS.

"I am so lucky to have experienced being a MERITO Steward, it has taught me so many valuable lessons in leadership as well as about how we can preserve marine life and keep our oceans clean and thriving. I feel grateful for all I have learned and am so grateful to MERITO for making my experience with this program something that I will never forget."

Evelyn, MERITO Foundation's Outdoor & Environmental Steward (2024-2025)

bottom of page