Kristal Ambrose
Kristal Ambrose also known as ‘Kristal Ocean’ is an environmental scientist studying
marine debris and plastic pollution in The Bahamas. After sailing across the Pacific
Ocean in 2012 to study the Western Garbage Patch, Kristal was inspired to return
home to The Bahamas to spark a plastic pollution revolution. Her career in the
environmental field spans nearly a decade and for the past three years she has been
working diligently on plastic pollution research and education in her country.
In 2013, she began The Plastic Beach Project; a citizen science based initiative that
studied plastic concentrations on beaches in The Bahamas. Her passion for the
issue led her to develop and launch Bahamas Plastic Movement (BPM), a non-profit
organization geared towards raising awareness and finding solutions to plastic
pollution. Since embarking on her journey to change with Bahamas Plastic
Movement, she has brought awareness of the issue to thousands locally and
globally through educational lectures, summer camp programs and citizen science
projects. Most recently she was awarded the 2014 Environmental Youth Leader
Award from The Government of The Bahamas for her efforts in the field of plastic
pollution research and education. In December 2016, she attained a Bachelors of
Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies at Gannon University in Erie, PA with a focus
on Environmental Science, Biology and Education.
A fundamental program ran by her organization BPM is the Plastic Pollution
Education and Ocean Conservation Summer Camp. This complimentary 5-day
intensive program is geared toward transforming the attitudes of Bahamian
students toward the marine environment by helping them understand their role in
protecting it from plastic pollution. This camp, which is the first of its kind for The
Bahamas is based in South Eleuthera and empowers students to become
environmental leaders and tackle the issue of plastic pollution using a dynamic,
creative and hands on approach. Their unique method of encompassing science,
technology, engineering, art, math (STEAM) and community engagement lends to
the success of the program as it enters its fourth consecutive year. Working
predominantly in South Eleuthera, Bahamas, the main program is targeted towards
youth, ages 9-15 years old. In addition to the main program, BPM hosts satellite
plastic camps with partner organizations on other islands of The Bahamas