2025 TRUE BLUE FELLOWSHIP YEAR IN REVIEW
FOREWORD
With everything happening in the world today, it can be hard not to feel helpless. Yet what has served as a beacon of light for us at Bow Seat has been the extraordinary young people leading change in their communities. The 2025 True Blue Fellows have harnessed their passion, ingenuity, and determination to enact real environmental and social impact. They have clearly demonstrated that the creative arts can be a powerful tool for action. And they remind us that when youth are trusted, funded, and supported in developing their leadership, they thrive.
Across the funding landscape, youth receive less than 1% of philanthropic support despite having tangible solutions and the unique ability to build buy-in within their communities. Even when funding is available, it is often accompanied by unnecessary barriers rooted in the belief that young people must be treated differently from established organizations. At Bow Seat, we take a different approach. Our trust-based, seed funding model provides flexible support to True Blue Fellows, empowering them to direct resources where they are needed most. But funding alone is not enough. We prioritize leadership development, working alongside Fellows to strengthen their skills, expand their vision, and prepare them to lead long after the Fellowship ends.
In times of environmental and societal crisis, resilience is rooted in community. “2025 was a pivotal year for our True Blue Fellowship where we committed to strengthening our peer to peer support mission with more opportunities for engagement and connection. Bow Seat understands the unique power of building strong and supportive youth communities that unites young people across nations and boundaries with a collective creative goal to protect our one blue planet.” -
Linda Cabot, Bow Seat - Founder and President
As you will see throughout this report, young people are not simply the leaders of tomorrow, they are the changemakers of today. These 12 youth leaders have shown us, and their communities, that when creativity is combined with a deep commitment to the planet and to one another, something powerful happens. Their work is inspirational and calls on each of us to play our part in building a more just and sustainable world.
We are honored to have walked alongside these Fellows, and we look forward to you seeing all they have accomplished so that you might, like us, feel more hopeful about what is possible.
On behalf of Bow Seat,
Jeremy Pivor - Partnerships and Youth Engagement Director
ABOUT THE FELLOWSHIP
The True Blue Fellowship connects and empowers youth around the world leveraging the creative arts to safeguard the ocean, waterways, and climate. Through seed funding, peer support, and capacity building, the Fellowship follows a trust-based, arts-centered model to uplift youth enacting transformational change in their communities. It is not simply a grant program, it is an incubator for creative environmental leadership worldwide.
In 2025, Bow Seat’s True Blue Fellowship supported 12 young leaders across 8 countries using creativity to advance environmental protection, ocean literacy, and climate justice. From immersive virtual reality documentaries to Indigenous beadwork revival, from children’s books to climate murals, the cohort demonstrated that creativity is not peripheral to environmental work, it is transformative.
OVERALL IMPACT
Art is not an accessory to conservation - it is a catalyst.
Artwork: Hāawi lākou i ka lima i ke alakai (They offer a hand in guidance) by Liv Knutsen (Honolulu, HI 2025, Senior, Art: Digital
OVERALL IMPACT BY THE NUMBERS
12 12
2,000+ 2,000+
Fellows from individuals engaged through 9 9 of 12 fellows were from Low-Middle Income Countries)
School-based programs, workshops, and curricula
Community events and festivals
Exhibitions, panels, and performances
Trainings, mentorship, and leadership programs
OVERALL IMPACT BY THE NUMBERS
100,000+ 100,000+ 800+ 800+
Reached through
Conferences and speaking engagements
Digital platforms, social media, and online modules
Websites, publications, and open-access resources
Creative works
Children's books
360° immersive virtual reality ocean films
Augmented reality lenses
Community murals
Indigenous beadworks
Conservation - themed songs
Art exhibitions
Climate poetry
Educational websites
Scientific illustrations
OVERALL IMPACT
Cultural Identity Reframed as Environmental Leadership
Fellows strengthened pride in local and Indigenous knowledge, positioning cultural traditions, storytelling, and art as powerful conservation tools.
Youth Confidence Elevated from “Participant” to “Leader”
Fellows reported significant growth in leadership capacity — managing partnerships, speaking publicly, adapting to challenges, and building scalable initiatives.
Eco-Anxiety Transformed into Purposeful Action
The Fellowship helped convert eco-anxiety into agency, determination, and creative expression.
Community Ownership Sustained Beyond the Grant Year
Projects generated requests for sustained engagement, including integration in schools, independent club activities, and community-led continuation, signaling lasting impact.
Creative Arts Recognized as a Powerful Tool for Environmental Change
Fellows strengthened recognition that art, immersive media, storytelling, and cultural expression are not supplementary to environmental work — they are effective tools for engagement, education, and systems change.
Heroes of the India Ocean - Tanzania
By Alex Mkwizu
Alex used immersive storytelling to bring audiences into Tanzania’s marine ecosystems. Through virtual reality documentary filmmaking and augmented reality tools, he explored how creative technology deepens emotional connection to ocean conservation.
“This experience was so inspirational. It made me fall in love with the ocean and dedicate my filmmaking career to ocean documentaries, something that I had not previously planned.”
Accomplishments
duced a 360° mini-series documentary on coastal communities in the Indian Ocean, exploring their reliance on fishing, seaweed farming, and tourism, while highlighting coral reef loss and youthand nonprofit-led efforts for policy change and reef restoration.
3 augmented reality Snapchat lenses about ocean advocacy with over 115,000 plays
Created a documentary webpage
Exhibition and panel discussion with Alliance De Francaise
Create for Our LivesPakistan
By Ali Nasir
Ali Nasir led art and climate education workshops for elementary students in climate-vulnerable communities outside Lahore, Pakistan, blending creative expression with foundational climate science and justice concepts. Students who began with little prior knowledge developed the ability to define key climate terms, question dominant narratives, and express their environmental anxieties and hopes through multimedia artwork.
“The Fellowship was a launching pad for climate advocates finding unique ways to make people care about the sanctity of the world, particularly by making use of something everyone possesses when tapped i creative expression and curious engag with the world!”
Accomplishments
Implemented 13 art and climate education rkshops for 50+ students in grades 3–5 at two schools in Hasukh Ilm-o-idara and Aligarh Public School System, providing colored pencils, watercolor, brushes, and sketchbooks.
Designed a multi-session curriculum that blended climate science, socio-emotional learning, and creative arts.
Workshops had a very low attrition rate, and students and teachers requested more sessions. The youth were inspired after the workshops to voluntarily participate in more environmental events.
“Paribartan Ko Lagi Kala” (Art for Change) - Nepal
By Bimochan Pathak
Bimochan worked to efficiently manage plastic waste in rural Nepal by bringing back traditional, eco-friendly art forms through communitybased workshops and education. By combining Indigenous knowledge, creative arts, and climate resilience training, he supported community members and students in replacing single-use plastics and exploring resource-efficient green enterprises.
‘’Participating in this Fellowship was a transformative experience that shifted my perspective on leadership from a simple idea to the management of complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives.’’
Accomplishments
Engaged 59 community members across three workshops to create biodegradable substitutes such as doko, tapari, and cloth bags that practically replaced single-use plastics in many homes.
Delivered climate resilience training to more than 180 pupils and worked with government departments while co-authoring the “Ground Up” guide to empower young people in setting up green enterprises.
Created a large commu area as a constant r Pollution,” reaching m me
Diverseas - Indonesia
By Brigitta Gunawan
Brigitta’s project, Diverseas, improved ocean literacy through immersive 360degree virtual reality filmmaking, workshops, and creative education initiatives that connected people to marine ecosystems and conservation action. Through films on Raja Ampat’s biodiversity and sea turtle conservation, the Blue Roots Scholarship for young women in Bali, in-person workshops, online modules, and a musical drama integrating ocean literacy into schools, she used creative arts to make marine science accessible and actionable.
‘’This experience has inspired me to scale by digging deeper and wider because the solutions to environmental issues may already exist, but the ways in which they are implemented relies on one’s creativity. I am hoping to scale this project to reach more communities and create ways to make it self-sustaining in the lo
Accomplishments
Produced two 360-degree films on Raja Ampat and sea turtle conservation with open-access lesson plans for immersive ocean literacy programming and conducted six workshops reaching 200+ participants in 6 cities across three countries, collecting 100+ unique pledges to take action for marine conservation.
Launched a six week hybrid training program for young women in Bali to run workshops in their communities.
Amplified impact globally presenting at 20+ conferences in 8+ countries reaching thousands of people.
Co-developed a musical drama about Indonesia’s marine environment with 80 fifth-grade students. roduced two 360-degree films on Raja Ampat and sea turtle conservation with open-access lesson plans for immersive ocean literacy programming.
DiveHer - Indonesia
By Emma Batty Sukerta
Accomplishments
blished 12 edited interviews featuring Indonesian omen working in marine science and conservation across four provinces in Indonesia as well as filmed four additional interviews.
Through her Fellowship, Emma built a platform that highlights Indonesian women working in marine science and conservation and shares opportunities for young Indonesians and aspiring activists. Her project combined storytelling, creative design, and website development to create access and pathways for others.
Built a fully functioning website from scratch, learning how to code so she can independently update and maintain the platform.
Created an opportunities page and short videos to promote the platform reaching over 10 000 views
‘’This Fellowship marked the first time I created something entirely driven by my own vision and effort, and it showed me that I am capable of founding and sustaining a project from the grou up.‘’
Embracing Maasai Culture to Safeguard Our Environment - Kenya
By Fredrick Kioko Kilonzo
Fredrick’s project positioned Maasai heritage as a conservation methodology, demonstrating that culture and conservation aren't competing values, they're inseparable aspects of Maasai identity and environmental stewardship. Through culturally resonant approaches, including beadwork, storytelling, music, festivals, and hands-on conservation, his initiative transformed environmental action into a community-led cultural movement.
‘’This Fellowship transformed how I see my role: I'm not an expert bringing solutions; I'm a bridge helping communities remember they've been environmental stewards all along. That shift will guide the rest of my career.‘’
Accomplishments
Mobilized culture as conservation action, educating 200+ community members (including 100+ youth) and hosted a three-day Cultural Manyatta and Beadwork Festival with 500+ participants.
Hosted community workshops, crafting 50 environmental-themed beadworks by women artisans, documenting 8 traditional environmental stories from elders, and developing 6 conservationthemed songs adopted by schools and performed at community gatherings. These sessions also served as knowledge-sharing circles discussing environmental challenges and traditional solutions.
Delivered measurable environmental outcomes, planting 750 Indigenous trees with an 85% survival rate, removing 850kg of waste through three major river clean-ups along the Ewaso Ng'iro River system, and establishing three water quality g stations.
Voice of the Kunar River: A Creative Journey through Climate ChangeAfghanistan
By Irshad Qazikhil
Irshad’s project raised environmental awareness in Kunar Province through creative expression, storytelling, and community engagement. The project helped people emotionally connect with climate change, especially how it affects the Kunar River and those who depend on it. Through poetry readings, storytelling sessions, and youth-focused workshops, he helped transform climate ti from technical discussions into deeply human, emotional, and community-driven experiences.
‘’The Fellowship strengthened my belief that youth voices and creative expression can drive real environmental awareness and community action‘’
Accomplishments
Reached several hundred community members and over 100 young people through poetry readings, storytelling sessions, and youth-focused workshops that created safe spaces to discuss drought, changing weather patterns, and environmental challenges.
Raised awareness about climate change and water protection in Kunar Province while engaging diverse community members in open dialogue including youth, farmers, and elders.
Empowered young people to use poetry and art as tools for expression and advocacy, demonstrating how creative storytelling can humanize climate change and inspire responsibility.
FiberFusion: Merging Art and Scientific Innovation - United States
By Jing Graber
Jing’s project combined engineering, laboratory research, and creative arts to address plastic pollution by designing tools that advance microplastics research while making the issue more visible to broader audiences. She developed a microplastic production device, which she is now using to mass-produce microfibers for a goldfish exposure study. She created a fluorescent microplastic painting displayed under UV light, connecting scientific investigation with visual storytelling to complement ongoing research and encourage public engagement with plastic pollution issues.
‘’For me the Fellowship has been an encouraging and uplifting support as I work to add to scientific k fic illust
Accomplishments
Designed and built a fully functional 3D-printed microplastic production device with a geneva drive that reduces operation from two researchers to one and is now used to mass-produce microfibers; she has decided to patent the device as a provisional improvement patent.
Developed and conducted a microplastic exposure study on goldfish using the microplastic production device to examine retention rates across different plastic types and sizes.
Created a novel, microfiber-based paint and what is possibly the world’s first fluorescent microplastic played under UV light to raise awareness about hidden microplastics
Blue Days at Schools - Madagascar
By Nomena Tahiana Andriantianar
Nomena conducted one of the first education projects in her community focused specifically on marine ecosystems and biodiversity for middle school students, addressing a gap in marine education within Madagascar’s schools. Through interactive workshops combining discussions, panels with marine professionals, videos, and artistic materials, her project helped students understand the beauty and importance of Madagascar’s marine environments while strengthening awareness for ocean protection.
‘’This Fellowship allowed me to learn far more than I expected. It was not just about implementing my project. It helped me grow personally, professionally, and as a young ocean leader’’
Accomplishments
Developed interactive workshops integrating science and art that brought marine education to four schools across Toliara and Antananarivo, engaging approximately 200 students
Shifted school attitudes toward marine education, with initially hesitant schools later expressing strong interest and requesting more workshops after seeing how motivated and engaged their students had become.
Mashujaa Wa Bahari (Ocean Heroes)Kenya
By Purity Mutua
Purity led a youth-driven initiative that used the creative arts and ocean literacy to deepen young people’s connection to the Kenyan Indian Ocean and inspire conservation action. Through workshops, a public art exhibition, digital outreach, and a structured leadership team, she engaged hundreds of young people and built a movement focused on protecting marine ecosystems and blue heritage.
‘’Realizing my potential as a founder to create such deep, authentic impact has filled me with incredible hope for the future of our Indian Ocean.‘’
Accomplishments
Engaged over 45 young people through art workshops including scientific illustration of keystone marine species and recycled art promoting a circular economy and waste management. This fostered “a deep, personal bond and lasting passion for the Indian Ocean,” and transformed participants into informed advocates.
Curated and conducted the “Sauti ya Bahari” Marine Art Exhibition featuring 15 artworks, drawing approximately 300 young people and “empowering a new generation of ocean guardians.”
Built sustainable project infrastructure by forming a 6-member core leadership team, recruiting 25+ volunteers, launching the official Mashujaa Wa Bahari website as a “permanent digital hub,” and executing a digital outreach campaign reaching over
The Clean and Green Initiative Environmental
Children’s Books & Nature Contest - United States
By Sophie Kim
Sophie combined storytelling and youth engagement to advance environmental awareness through creative media. She developed illustrated children’s books and led an international multimedia Nature Contest inviting young people to reflect on the beauty of nature and connect more deeply with environmental issues.
Accomplishments
Completed a children’s book, “Everyone Deserves Clean Air,” focused on environmental justice and ready for publication, and finished all illustrations for “Stella & the Starlight Solution,” which addresses youth eco-anxiety.
Led an international multimedia Nature Contest including photography, poetry, prose, video, drawing, and painting that received 627 entries from 10+ countries. Coordinated judging and awarded approximately $620 in prize money to winners, and announced results on social media.
Expanded project capacity and outreach by growing The Clean and Green Initiative team by 10+ volunteers and increasing promotion after initial challenges, resulting in features by SEVENSEAS Media, NOAA Ocean Guardians, Scuttlebutt Digest, and the Jane Goodall Institute.
‘’The Fellowship gave me a sense of and ability to exert influence on the w
Save Our Salmon (SOS) - United States
By Austin Picinich
Austin expanded Save Our Salmon into a multifaceted environmental art initiative that brings conservation awareness directly into schools and public spaces. By integrating murals, 3D installations, student workshops, and community events, he used art as a vehicle to mobilize youth and local leaders around protecting salmon and the species that depend on them.
‘’The environment is ours to share, it's not my creek, it’s our environment to take care of, and co-creating the murals builds this community of stewards’’
Accomplishments
Embedded conservation art into schools: Went directly into schools to give talks and lead hands-on art workshops, guiding approximately 400 students in creating laser-cut salmon that were installed on school fences and weaving art projects into existing curricula.
Expanded public engagement through large-scale art and events: Created new murals and 3D sculptures, developed educational signage, hosted a “FishFest” event with the mayor and poet, collaborated with PangeaSeed on a new mural, and evolved the project to highlight interconnected species such as orca whales.
Generated funding and a scalable model for community action: Auctioned two paintings in partnership with the band Train, raising over $8,000 for conservation efforts, and created a public blog with practical guidance to help others lead mural projects in their own communities — reinforcing the idea that every community has a species to protect and a blank wall to spark awareness.
Contact & Follow Bow Seat: Creative Action for Conservation
bowseat.org
@fromthebowseat
linkedin.com/company/bow-seat-ocean-awareness-programs info@bowseat.org facebook.com/FromTheBowSeatDocumentary
@fromthebowseat @bowseat.org
@FromtTheBowSeat
@fromthebowseat
