About Us

develop leaders, cultivate ideas, inspire hope, and accelerate solutions to protect, preserve, and restore the coastal ecosystems of South Carolina

Our Story

Carolina Ocean Alliance began as Sustainable Ocean Alliance - Charleston, a first-of-its-kind community-centric hub for the Sustainable Ocean Alliance. Now our own standalone non-profit, we continue to partner with SOA as part of a network of dozens of hubs, entrepreneurs, mentors, and partner organizations around the world all sharing the common mission to conserve the ocean and sustainably use marine resources in accordance with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14. We believe in promoting and enhancing local solutions led by local people as part of a global grassroots regenerative campaign to fight climate change, biodiversity loss, environmental injustice, and pollution of our oceans and waterways. We believe in the power of partnerships in achieving our goals and confronting the challenges that face us all.

Members of the Carolina Ocean Alliance join a global “network-of-networks” of communities, NGOs, and cultural stewards working with the shared goal of combating climate change, protecting ocean biodiversity, and solving the world’s greatest problems. Members of Carolina Ocean Alliance can also be members of the Sustainable Ocean Alliance - Charleston and will be eligible to participate in SOA programming and functions, apply to take part in the Young Ocean Leadership program, apply for microgrants with assistance from SOA-Charleston, and apply for SOA’s Ocean Accelerator.

Our Mission

Develop leaders, cultivate ideas, inspire hope, and accelerate solutions to protect, preserve, and restore coastal ecosystems of South Carolina
Create a “network-of-networks” promoting collaboration and multi-disciplinary approaches to solving our region’s greatest challenges among conservation-minded young professionals in South Carolina
Promote and empower young professionals from underrepresented communities in conversations and actions on conservation, climate change, and regenerative processes
Build coalitions around shared values and goals through initiatives meant to create agency and opportunity for local people to craft and propel community-driven solutions
Invest in and help facilitate funding for local and community projects
Connect young professionals and advocates in South Carolina with their peers around the world through the international Sustainable Ocean Alliance community to facilitate the exchange of ideas
Promote educational community outreach programs designed to encourage greater stewardship of local lands and waterways
Encourage ambition and high standards in conservation and sustainability while inspiring pride and love for what makes South Carolina’s ecosystems unique