What is a 5 Gyres Ambassador?

5 Gyres Ambassadors are exceptional individuals who have become leaders in their community in the fight against plastic pollution. They work as a team on our Action Campaigns to inspire and educate communities about plastic pollution and poor product design. Our Ambassador team is made up of scientists, students, explorers, artists, and athletes who are passionate about a plastic free ocean.

We aim to expand the program internationally and are currently searching for new Ambassadors around the world. Ambassadors are selected based on what they propose to do with the opportunity in their unique geographic location.

 
“The Ambassador Program is a really good way to connect with other people who have the same environmental interests. It was cool to have the resources - powerpoints, scientific papers, and the direct communication with 5 Gyres staff.” - Kayla Gratton
 

About the Ambassador Program

Our Ambassador Program launched in 2015 and has quickly grown to a group of 41 Ambassadors from 27 cities in the United States, Canada, The Bahamas, Nigeria, Jamaica and Switzerland. Ambassadors are trained to be leaders in their community through a series of webinars from 5 Gyres staff and outside experts. They learn how to confidently speak about the issue as an expert in order to inspire more people to take action to keep plastic pollution out of our waterways. Each Ambassador is provided with an education kit that include ocean samples, pictures, handouts, and talking points that can be used as a resource to educate others on the issue.  

In becoming a 5 Gyres Ambassador, you also become a part of the ever-expanding 5 Gyres network. This includes access to resources, science and policy updates, virtual educational programs, local and international contacts, and opportunities to share and learn from each other. More than 60 Ambassador-led events have occurred since 2015 that have reached over 1200 people.

 
“Being an Ambassador is something that is really doable for students who want to get involved and actually make a difference. My classmates and I have been in school for so long that we often feel like we are just regurgitating information. Working with 5 Gyres allowed me to put myself into action to make a difference.” - Candace Gregg
 

What our Ambassadors do

 

Educate the Public!

Speak to Legislators!

Ambassadors educate the public through community presentations and tabling at local events. Orestis has participated in a number of activities to educate the public, including speaking to students about the issue of microplastics at Ocean Beach in San Francisco. Read more about Orestis on our blog.

Kayla has represented 5 Gyres during a number of activities, including speaking with her state legislators in Michigan and assisting in building support around a statewide microbead ban. Read more about Kayla on our blog here.

 

 

Expeditions!

 
 
 

Many of our Ambassadors participate in our Annual Expeditions. Genevieve was crew on our Viking Gyre Expedition from Bermuda to Iceland in 2014.
Read more about Genevieve on our blog here.

 
 

5 Gyres is now accepting applications to
expand our Ambassador Program.
Ambassadors will be selected in August 2016.