COASTAL DEFENDERS PROJECTS + PATHWAYS

'KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGES' IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SCRIPPS INSTITUTION OF OCEANOGRAPHY

Coastal Defenders Founder Coach Jackson has led over 100 Knowledge Exchanges for over 3,000 people spanning Indigenous scientists and communities, K-12 students, community organizations and colleges and academic scientists, researchers, innovators and investors from around the world.

INDIGENOUS MARICULTURE + FOOD SOVEREIGNTY

Returning to our traditional clam gardens, oyster reefs + developing opportunities in abalone, kelp, seaweeds + eelgrass restoration and bioremediation are some of the ways we're helping to heal our planet.

COASTAL RESILIENCY

The ability of our shorelines to withstand the affects of climate change and mitigate pollution includes understanding of water rights and the inter-connectivity of upstream waterways, wetlands and dune systems.

ECO-ART COLLABORATIVE

Help us put the 'A' in STEAM!

We're utilizing traditional artisan practices to raise awareness + develop innovative, creative solutions to the plastic and marine debris epidemic while providing opportunities for local system-impacted youth + their families to engage in climate conversations.

INDIGENOUS LEADERSHIP YOUTH + Young adults (ILY)

Our Story

In 2020 Indigenous youth in San Diego County were experiencing many effects of the pandemic. At the request of community and through the guidance of Youth Advisors Mr. Blaine Mazzetti (Payómkawichum) and Ms. Shandiin Armao (Diné) we developed a guardianship pathway to re-connect Indigenous youth and their families with the healing medicine of their land + water guardianship birthrights, helping to restore inter-generational knowledge sharing. We teach Indigenous science, water safety, seafaring and maritime operations, coastal policy, cultural fire, survey, socio-ecological monitoring and restoration techniques, ArcGIS, advance cultural competency and develop interdisciplinary research + publication opportunities with academic institutions.

Weaving Connections

We're partnering with Scripps Institution of Oceanography on Kumeyaay Land to advocate for equal (or greater) valuation of knowledge systems, increase cultural competency in academic science, support BIPOC students, staff and faculty, provide resources to minimize extractive practices and create safer spaces for Indigenous scientific research through adherence to Indigenous data sovereignty principles.

Learn more about our partnership with the Jen Smith Lab here:

Water is life.

Water is medicine.

Water safety allows for connection to our ancestors and healing. Coastal Defenders is committed to honoring the restorative affects of water and advocacy for the accessibility of clean, safe swimming facilities + bodies of water to learn the fundamentals of aquatics.

In partnership with the Villanova University Black Alumni (VUBA) we have created the VUBA 'Black Swim Initiative' where we teach African aquatic legacies and ensure the next generation of swimmers, lifeguards, water-safety instructors and divers are provided with resources and equitable pathways in marine science and recreation.

We have provided in water safety support to the University of California San Diego 'Black Surf Week' since 2018.

INREACH Guardianship PATHWAYS

INREACH GUARDIANSHIP PATHWAY: ANTI-RECIDIVISM

We are committed to raising awareness about the school to prison pipeline, creating climate + aquaculture training opportunities for people who are incarcerated and formerly incarcerated and supporting their families.

INREACH GUARDIANSHIP PATHWAY: TWO EYED SEEING (TES)

Through a two-eyed seeing approach developed by Mi'kmaw Elder Albert Marshall, we're teaching K-12, undergraduate and graduate students as well as training policy makers, educators, administrators, academic scientists and researchers how to create ethical collaborative spaces.