Upwell Learning and Networking Day: Policy Track Discussions
Following the last three years of overwhelming demand for Upwell programming, we are excited to convene the event in a larger venue and expand to a two day experience. Join us for both days to connect, learn, and shape what’s ahead together.
Interested in joining this session but not sure? If you want to learn more about what’s at risk, join us! If you would like to ask questions or join a discussion with ocean advocates leading national and grassroots engagement efforts to protect our ocean and coasts from new offshore drilling, join us! If you want to learn how to submit a public comment, and maybe write one yourself, join us!
Postcards and writing supplies will be provided for attendees who wish to make their voice heard and submit a public comment on the plan at the end of the session.
Speakers
Moderator - Basia Marcks, Ocean Defense Initiative
Alexcia Best-Gill - Senior Campaign Associate for Climate and Energy, Oceana
Suraida Nañez-James - CEO/Founder Gulf Reach Institute and America the Beautiful 4 All Coalition Ocean Co-Lead
Marine monuments and national marine sanctuaries have anchored the United States’ ocean conservation movement. While these designations remain essential, future challenges demand a broader, more adaptive approach that reflects the full range of places, habitats, and communities needed to sustain healthy oceans. This session explores the next generation of U.S. ocean conservation, drawing on the Center for American Progress’s Nearshore Ocean Progress report and its emphasis on important habitats and special ocean places to outline a strategy rooted in ecological function, cultural stewardship, and community participation.
The first day of Upwell, taking place on June 2 at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in Washington, DC, will focus on learning and networking for the Upwell community. We have reserved 5 classrooms in the library's conference center and each room will host a series of interactive activities along specific tracks including, Youth Advocacy, Policy, and Career Development.
The activities taking place in the Policy Track are organized by the Center for American Progress and the Ocean Defense Initiative. I'm excited to share our panel discussion topics and our speakers. Each panel will be 50 minutes long, with 25 minutes for a moderated discussion followed by 25 minutes of Q&A with the audience.
Some of the most visionary ocean conservation work in the United States is happening in the territories—American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These islands steward vast ocean areas with extraordinary biodiversity, deep cultural relationships to the sea, and strong community‑led conservation traditions. Yet their achievements are often overlooked or constrained by colonial legacies, structural inequities, limited political representation, and chronic under‑resourcing.
Decolonizing Ocean Conservation
12:30 PM - 1:20 PMSome of the most visionary ocean conservation work in the United States is happening in the territories—American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These islands steward vast ocean areas with extraordinary biodiversity, deep cultural relationships to the sea, and strong community‑led conservation traditions. Yet their achievements are often overlooked or constrained by colonial legacies, structural inequities, limited political representation, and chronic under‑resourcing.
This session highlights why meaningful conservation must begin with the people who live in these places. Territorial communities face unique challenges, from climate impacts and economic pressures to external decision‑making that can sideline local priorities.
Panelists will examine what emerging conservation practitioners—students, early‑career professionals, NGO staff, and scientists—can learn from the territories and how to work in true partnership with local communities. The discussion will emphasize best practices for community‑driven conservation, including respectful engagement, co‑production of knowledge, equitable funding, and the integration of Indigenous and local expertise into decision‑making.
Speakers
Dr. Frances Colon - Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress, moderator
Dr. Steven Mana’oakamai Johnson - Assistant Professor, Cornell University, panelist
Dr. Austin Shelton - Director, University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant, panelist
Dr. Adi Martinez-Roman - Co-Founder & Co-Director, Right to Democracy, panelist
Rep. José “Che” Pérez Cordero - Representative, Puerto Rico House of Representatives, panelist
Deep‑sea mining has emerged as a new frontier in resource extraction, promising access to valuable minerals needed for batteries and renewable energy technologies. Yet for the U.S. Pacific territories—American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands—the push toward deep‑sea mining presents significant biological, cultural, and social risks. This panel will explore what deep‑sea mining means for Pacific ecosystems, Indigenous communities, maritime livelihoods, and territorial self‑determination.
Panelists will examine what emerging conservation practitioners—students, early‑career professionals, NGO staff, and scientists—can learn from the territories and how to work in true partnership with local communities. The discussion will emphasize best practices for community‑driven conservation, including respectful engagement, co‑production of knowledge, equitable funding, and the integration of Indigenous and local expertise into decision‑making.
Speakers
Dr. Frances Colon - Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress, moderator
Dr. Steven Mana’oakamai Johnson - Assistant Professor, Cornell University, panelist
Dr. Austin Shelton - Director, University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant, panelist
Dr. Adi Martinez-Roman - Co-Founder & Co-Director, Right to Democracy, panelist
Rep. José “Che” Pérez Cordero - Representative, Puerto Rico House of Representatives, panelist
Deep-Sea Mining
1:40 PM - 2:30 PMDeep‑sea mining has emerged as a new frontier in resource extraction, promising access to valuable minerals needed for batteries and renewable energy technologies. Yet for the U.S. Pacific territories—American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands—the push toward deep‑sea mining presents significant biological, cultural, and social risks. This panel will explore what deep‑sea mining means for Pacific ecosystems, Indigenous communities, maritime livelihoods, and territorial self‑determination.
The conversation will look at what has happened to date, from regional exploration permits and international negotiations to community concerns and scientific warnings. Panelists will assess where things currently stand—politically, scientifically, and socially—and highlight how coastal communities are organizing to protect their ocean heritage. The session will conclude with concrete guidance on what individuals, advocates, and policymakers can do to get involved, influence decision‑making, and promote alternatives that protect both ocean health and Pacific Island cultures.
Speakers
Raiana McKinney - Senior High Seas Advocate, NRDC, moderator
Anindita Chakraborty - Officer, The Pew Charitable Trusts, panelist
Sabrina Suluai-Mahuka - Founder, Finafinau, panelist
Angelo Villagomez - Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress, panelist
JV Langkilde - Associate, Earthjustice, panelist
The Trump Administration is moving aggressively to expand offshore oil and gas drilling in US waters, threatening our ocean, climate, ecosystems, and communities. In November 2025, the Department of the Interior released its new offshore oil and gas leasing plan, including as many as 34 potential offshore lease sales, covering approximately 1.27 billion acres off the coasts of Alaska, California, and the Gulf of Mexico.
Speakers
Raiana McKinney - Senior High Seas Advocate, NRDC, moderator
Anindita Chakraborty - Officer, The Pew Charitable Trusts, panelist
Sabrina Suluai-Mahuka - Founder, Finafinau, panelist
Angelo Villagomez - Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress, panelist
JV Langkilde - Associate, Earthjustice, panelist
Offshore drilling
2:50 PM - 3:40 PMThe Trump Administration is moving aggressively to expand offshore oil and gas drilling in US waters, threatening our ocean, climate, ecosystems, and communities. In November 2025, the Department of the Interior released its new offshore oil and gas leasing plan, including as many as 34 potential offshore lease sales, covering approximately 1.27 billion acres off the coasts of Alaska, California, and the Gulf of Mexico.
Interested in joining this session but not sure? If you want to learn more about what’s at risk, join us! If you would like to ask questions or join a discussion with ocean advocates leading national and grassroots engagement efforts to protect our ocean and coasts from new offshore drilling, join us! If you want to learn how to submit a public comment, and maybe write one yourself, join us!
Postcards and writing supplies will be provided for attendees who wish to make their voice heard and submit a public comment on the plan at the end of the session.
Speakers
Moderator - Basia Marcks, Ocean Defense Initiative
Alexcia Best-Gill - Senior Campaign Associate for Climate and Energy, Oceana
Suraida Nañez-James - CEO/Founder Gulf Reach Institute and America the Beautiful 4 All Coalition Ocean Co-Lead
Building the Next Era of US Ocean Conservation
4:00 PM - 4:50 PMMarine monuments and national marine sanctuaries have anchored the United States’ ocean conservation movement. While these designations remain essential, future challenges demand a broader, more adaptive approach that reflects the full range of places, habitats, and communities needed to sustain healthy oceans. This session explores the next generation of U.S. ocean conservation, drawing on the Center for American Progress’s Nearshore Ocean Progress report and its emphasis on important habitats and special ocean places to outline a strategy rooted in ecological function, cultural stewardship, and community participation.
Panelists will examine emerging tools—including Other Effective Area‑Based Conservation Measures, important habitat areas, co‑stewardship agreements with Tribes and Indigenous peoples, and smaller community‑driven marine monuments—and discuss how to better integrate fisheries so biodiversity and sustainable use align.
Because Upwell centers movement‑building, the session highlights ways to empower new voices and concludes with practical pathways for public engagement, storytelling, and coalition‑building to strengthen U.S. ocean leadership for generations to come.
Speakers
Alia Hidayat - Senior Policy Analyst, Center for American Progress, moderator
Evelyn James - Youth Advocate, Gulf Reach Institute, panelist
Carlos Zegarra - Executive Director, Sachamama, panelist
Koiya Tuttle - Oceans and Marine Stewardship Project Manager, Native Americans in Philanthropy
Because Upwell centers movement‑building, the session highlights ways to empower new voices and concludes with practical pathways for public engagement, storytelling, and coalition‑building to strengthen U.S. ocean leadership for generations to come.
Speakers
Alia Hidayat - Senior Policy Analyst, Center for American Progress, moderator
Evelyn James - Youth Advocate, Gulf Reach Institute, panelist
Carlos Zegarra - Executive Director, Sachamama, panelist
Koiya Tuttle - Oceans and Marine Stewardship Project Manager, Native Americans in Philanthropy
Upwell 2026 is hosted by Aquarium Conservation Partnership, Azul, Green 2.0, and Urban Ocean Lab. The planning committee includes, Center for American Progress, Earthjustice, Natural Resources Defense Council, and Ocean Defense Initiative.
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