welcome to the hoc team, ayanna jones!
It is an honor for us to welcome the newest member of our team to the Healthy Ocean Coalition community, Ayanna Jones!
Over the course of the summer, Ayanna will guide and mold the Healthy Ocean Coalition’s social media strategy. She will be responsible for bringing new ideas about digital media and creative energy to our team. Because social media strategy is fast-paced and always changing, we are excited for her to help our team develop campaigns for the wide range of conservation issues that we work on.
We deeply admire Ayanna’s drive and passion for social media as well as her knack for thinking outside of the box. Continue exploring this blog to get to know Ayanna better.
Tell us about your background
My activism didn't begin with environmental issues. As someone with an undergraduate and graduate degree in education, my love for national policy began with fighting for higher pay for all teachers and educational staff. Being based in south Louisiana, my understanding of political reform began with volunteering at Louisiana's ULS Day where faculty and staff from the nine University of Louisiana member institutions advocated for higher education and promoted the UL System.
What are your favorite ways to connect with nature?
When I’m not in the classroom, I enjoy fishing with my father, camping with close friends, and walking my pup around the neighborhood! During my childhood, while residing in Georgia, I often visited 3,200 acres of natural beauty, Stone Mountain Park.
Are there any places that are particularly special to you?
As stated previously, Stone Mountain Park is a very sentimental place for me. My best friend and I often visited to explore the park and investigate its complexities.
What do you love most about the ocean?
The mystical aspect of the ocean is what draws me in. The ocean is home to some of the most magnificent creatures on the planet. The ocean has a way of enchanting us, capturing our imagination, and intriguing us with mysteries of the unexplored.
What does a healthy ocean mean to you?
As a resident of south Louisiana, a big issue we face is wetland deterioration. Maintaining clean surface areas that wash into storm drains from things like pet waste, toxic chemicals, fertilizers, and motor oil is important because they can eventually reach and impair our wetlands.
What are you most looking forward to during your time interning with us?
Being informed on national and local policies that affect our climate and oceans is something I am very excited to learn about.
Fun facts about Ayanna:
I have been a pescatarian since 2014.
I am originally from Atlanta, Georgia. I moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 2012.
I have one older sister who is pregnant! I will be a first-time aunt in October 2022.
I am super excited to be working with the HOC team and community for the next 10 weeks :)
