Community outreach
Science belongs to the communities it serves
SSI works alongside Caribbean island residents, fishing communities, local governments, and schools to make ocean science useful, accessible, and locally owned. We share what we find, and we listen to what communities already know.
What we do
Three outreach programs
SSI’s community work runs alongside our field science. Every time R/V Dawn enters a port, we look for opportunities to share findings, answer questions, and learn from local knowledge that improves our research.
Citizen water quality science
Island residents report water observations, such as color, odor, debris, or other unusual conditions, directly to SSI through the form on this page. Our science team reviews every report.
Report anything unusual
Findings back to communities
When R/V Dawn visits an island, SSI shares local water quality findings with environmental agencies, fishing associations, schools, and community groups in plain language, not just in scientific publications. Our data is open to everyone through GOCOS.
Open-access results
School and youth programs
SSI scientists visit schools to run hands-on ocean science sessions on water quality testing, microplastics, and careers in ocean science, both in person during port calls and through live connections from the field.
K-12 focused
Outreach in action
Live from the Arctic to Hough High School
Students in an Environmental Science class at Hough High School in Cornelius, North Carolina, connected live with SSI researcher Dr. Ulyana Pena while she was conducting field work in the Arctic. SSI Board Chair Dr. Roger Tipton joined the class in person to connect the science in their textbooks to research happening in real time.
Where we work
Caribbean island communities
R/V Dawn has carried SSI’s research and outreach to the following islands. We are building long-term relationships, not one-time visits.
Martinique
Research cruise, 2025
St. Lucia
Lesser Antilles, 2025 to 2026
Dominica
Lesser Antilles, 2026
Guadeloupe and Les Saintes
Lesser Antilles, 2026
St. Martin
June 2026
British Virgin Islands
June 2026
Islands en route
December 2026
Dominican Republic
December 2026
Highlighted: the upcoming R/V Dawn cruise from the British Virgin Islands to the Dominican Republic, December 16 to December 30, 2026.
Submit a water observation
Seen something unusual in the water near your community, such as discoloration, foam, floating debris, dead fish, or strong odors? Tell SSI. Your report helps guide where we sample next.
Who we work with
Community and institutional partners
SSI’s outreach is most effective when it builds on existing community relationships. We welcome partnerships with organizations like these across the Caribbean.
Fishing associations
Local fishers have unmatched knowledge of nearshore water conditions. SSI works with fishing associations to share contamination data and learn from traditional ecological knowledge.
Environmental ministries
Island government environmental agencies receive SSI contamination summaries in plain language after each expedition. We tailor findings to policy-relevant questions where possible.
Schools and youth groups
SSI scientists lead sessions on water quality, PFAS basics, microplastics, and careers in ocean science, adapted for primary through secondary students.
Water authorities
Island water utilities and desalination operators receive relevant PFAS findings, because many islands draw drinking water from coastal or groundwater sources influenced by the ocean.
Contact the outreach team
Whether you are a community member, a teacher, a local government officer, or a fishing association representative, we want to hear from you. SSI’s outreach team responds within five business days.
Community observations
outreach@sustainableseasinstitute.org
School programs and youth engagement
education@sustainableseasinstitute.org
Government and institutional inquiries
partnership@sustainableseasinstitute.org
Media and press inquiries
info@sustainableseasinstitute.org