The 14-year-old founder of SOL, Joey Goldstein, was presented with the Youth Environmental Excellence Award by SeaWorld and Busch Gardens on October 6th. This award is given to outstanding young people who lead exemplary environmental education and conservation projects. Joey competed against students nationwide, and she was the youngest recipient to receive this award. Joey started SOL in 2014 at the age of 10. Her mission is to spread awareness about the problems facing our oceans and marine life through educational programming and beach clean-ups.
“It is important to teach our youth about environmental issues so when they grow up they can be responsible adults. After all, it is up to us to save this planet,” stated Joey. SeaWorld hosted the award winners for a behind the scenes experience where they had the opportunity to spend the day at the park learning from marine biologists and SeaWorld’s Rescue Team.
This award will assist Joey in accomplishing her future goals, “There are so many things contributing to the destruction of our coast. We all must work together to make a difference. I plan to host three more events this year where I will encourage the community to come out and get involved.”
Since 1993, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment has recognized the outstanding efforts of students and teachers across the country working at the grassroots level to protect and preserve the environment. The SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Environmental Excellence Awards provides national recognition, funding and a big “thank you” to the support the efforts of this next generation of conservation leaders. Awardees were selected through a nationwide application process coordinated by the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Youth Advisory Council.
About SOL
SOL was created by kids in 2014. SOL’s mission is to prevent pollution on our beaches through organized beach clean-ups and by spreading awareness throughout the community. SOL plans events four times a year and all the events are open to the public. Often times an educational component is included in the event. By educating our youth, SOL hopes to decrease the amount of trash on our beaches in the future. For more information visit savingoceanlife.org or follow SOL on facebook at SOL Saving Ocean Life.