The Dewasters

Project Theme: Environmental Justice

Years in Existence: 4

Target Audience and Location: Seaside residents in Seaside, CA.

Mission: Through education about how garbage in landfills contributes to climate change, we inspire our community to change their attitude and habits so they actively reduce their waste.

Project Description: When founding Scholar Jackie Ballesteros Martinez and her educator Sarah Lester Guzmán set out to promote sustainable practices in coastal communities, they focused on designing educational activities and actions that reduced waste. This year, the team is expanding its outreach to schools across the Monterey community, delivering interactive presentations that raise awareness about environmental issues like waste and plastic pollution. Through games, activities, and quizzes, they are measuring impact by tracking student engagement with the material.