Jody Benson Sharp’s Earth Day Leadership in Newport Beach

Jody Benson Sharp When most people think of Earth Day, they picture rallies, clean-up drives, and climate marches. While those events matter, for Jody Benson Sharp, Earth Day is about something more enduring—protecting the natural treasures right in her backyard. As a coastal advocate and community leader in Newport Beach, California, Jody has made Earth Day a rallying point for ocean conservation, coastal sustainability, and marine education.

From organizing beach cleanups to empowering youth as ocean ambassadors, Jody’s Earth Day efforts are deeply rooted in one belief: a healthy ocean means a healthy planet. And in a city like Newport Beach, where life is deeply intertwined with the sea, protecting coastal ecosystems isn’t just an environmental priority—it’s a way of life.

The Coastline as a Classroom

Jody has long believed that education is the cornerstone of conservation. Her Earth Day programming always begins with learning—because when people understand how fragile and vital coastal ecosystems are, they’re more likely to protect them.

Through her “Coastline as Classroom” initiative, Jody partners with local schools and marine centers to organize interactive outdoor learning sessions. These include:

• Guided tidepool explorations at Crystal Cove
• Seagrass and kelp forest observation at Back Bay
• Lessons on microplastics and marine biodiversity
• Citizen science activities like tide tracking and species counts

By making education hands-on and immersive, Jody transforms Earth Day into an unforgettable experience for Newport’s youth—and cultivates the next generation of eco-champions.

Beach Cleanups with a Bigger Purpose

Every Earth Day, Jody leads the Newport Beach Earth & Sea Cleanup, one of the most impactful community events in the region. While beach cleanups are common, Jody brings a unique approach that emphasizes data collection, waste tracking, and long-term impact.

Volunteers are given kits with:

• Gloves and reusable trash bags
• Mobile apps to record types and quantities of waste
• Educational cards about ocean pollution and marine animals

After the cleanup, all data is compiled into a local report that’s shared with the city council to influence policy on single-use plastics and beach waste management.

In 2024 alone, her Earth Day cleanup removed over 1.8 tons of litter—much of it cigarette butts, bottle caps, and plastic wrappers—and involved more than 800 residents.

Protecting the Local Marine Ecosystem

Newport Beach is home to an incredible diversity of marine life—from sea lions and pelicans to fragile coral-like invertebrates in the tidepools. But coastal development, stormwater runoff, and plastic pollution threaten this biodiversity.

Jody uses Earth Day as a springboard for year-round campaigns that include:

• Storm Drain Stenciling Projects: With the slogan “Drains to Ocean,” these markers educate the public about what not to dump into stormwater systems.
• Native Dune Plant Restoration: Volunteers plant native grasses to stabilize the shoreline and provide habitat for birds and insects.
• Kelp Forest Monitoring: Citizen divers assist in tracking kelp growth and detecting early signs of ocean warming or acidification.

Through these efforts, Earth Day becomes not just a moment of awareness, but the beginning of real restoration.

Youth Ocean Ambassadors Program

To keep momentum going beyond Earth Day, Jody developed the Youth Ocean Ambassadors Program, training students aged 12–18 to become local marine stewards. Every April, the program launches a new cohort with workshops, mentorship, and field training that align with Earth Day values.

Participants learn about:

• Marine policy and coastal zoning
• Ocean-friendly businesses and careers
• Public speaking and environmental advocacy
• Leading eco-clubs and sustainability projects in schools

By the end of the year, many graduates go on to speak at city council meetings, organize their own cleanups, or intern with marine research institutes.

Plastic-Free Coast: Earth Day and Beyond

Jody’s Earth Day campaigns often focus on reducing ocean-bound plastics, which are a major threat to marine ecosystems. In Newport Beach, where tourism and recreation are high, even small changes in habits can have big results.

She’s helped pass city ordinances to:

• Ban polystyrene foam (Styrofoam) food containers
• Require reusable foodware at beachfront cafes
• Provide refillable water stations along the boardwalk

Her Earth Day booths always include a “Plastic-Free Pledge” wall, where residents commit to refusing single-use plastics for 30 days—and share their journey online.

Celebrating the Ocean through Art and Culture

To bring environmentalism into the heart of the community, Jody blends science with culture. Each Earth Day, she curates the Blue Horizon Art Walk, featuring:

• Marine-inspired artwork from local artists
• Performances by eco-themed youth theater groups
• A “Sea of Words” poetry exhibit focused on ocean conservation
• Live music from ocean-conscious local bands

This fusion of art and environmentalism helps people connect with the ocean emotionally, not just intellectually—a key to building lasting commitment.

Building Policy from the Ground Up

Jody’s Earth Day work also fuels long-term environmental policy. She serves on advisory committees for coastal sustainability, working closely with city leaders to:

• Expand marine protected areas
• Improve water quality monitoring
• Enforce stricter boat waste disposal regulations
• Plan for climate-resilient coastal infrastructure

Earth Day becomes more than just a symbolic gesture—it becomes a launchpad for environmental legislation and community planning.

A Message Rooted in Coastal Connection

“We are all connected to the ocean, whether we live by it or not,” Jody says. “It regulates our climate, provides oxygen, and supports entire food systems. Earth Day is our chance to honor that connection—and act like it matters.”

Her leadership continues to turn awareness into action, and action into transformation. Residents of Newport Beach see Earth Day not just as a cleanup, but as a commitment to the coast, to community, and to the planet.

Conclusion: Tides of Change Begin at Shore

Jody Benson Sharp is proving that coastal conservation is not the work of scientists and city planners alone—it’s the work of citizens, families, and students. Her Earth Day leadership is helping Newport Beach protect its marine heritage, while inspiring other coastal communities across California to do the same.

Through hands-on education, grassroots organizing, and cultural celebration, she’s building a more resilient, informed, and ocean-connected society.

And this Earth Day, Jody’s message echoes from the tidepools of Crystal Cove to the halls of City Hall:
“The sea sustains us. Let’s return the favor.”