Our annual election is a time when citizens across our community and state have the opportunity to come together and make their voices heard. Each ballot cast helps shape the policies and priorities that determine the health of our communities, our coasts and our planet.

As the late Dr. Seuss wrote in “The Lorax,” “I am the Lorax, and I speak for the trees.” But if we were to update that call to action for today, we might ask: Who will speak for the seas? Who will protect our ocean backyard? The answer lies in civic engagement and in how we prepare the next generation to understand their role as environmental citizens.

Environmental civics sit at the intersection of environmental education and civic engagement. It is a framework for teaching young people how to identify local environmental problems, investigate their root causes and take collective action to influence public decisions. Rather than focusing solely on individual behavior such as recycling or conserving water, environmental civics empowers students to understand systems, work with community stakeholders and participate in the democratic process.

Here in Santa Cruz, we do not have to look far for examples of civic engagement shaping our environmental destiny. Our community has a long tradition of activism, standing up for equity, sustainability and the dedicated individuals who have shaped the natural beauty that defines this region.

Perhaps one of the most powerful examples of grassroots organizing in our region’s history is the creation of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. In the 1980s, citizens across the Central Coast came together in an extraordinary campaign to protect our coastal waters from offshore oil drilling. Despite federal setbacks, local residents, environmental groups and civic leaders, including then-U.S. Rep. Leon Panetta, refused to give up. After years of public meetings, petitions and persistence, the sanctuary was officially designated in 1992. That victory was not just an environmental milestone; it was a testament to the power of community voices united by purpose. We are lucky to still have many of these leaders in our community and in our corner today.

Grassroots organizing remains as vital today as it was then, though its methods are evolving. Earlier tactics of organizing often relied on rallies, printed petitions and word of mouth. The newer generation uses digital platforms, social networks and data-driven storytelling to mobilize supporters and influence policy. But the heart of it remains unchanged: people coming together around shared values to protect what they love.

In a world where climate change, sea-level rise and pollution can feel overwhelming, local civic action offers both hope and direction. By participating in neighborhood meetings, supporting conservation measures and engaging with local schools, we each play a role in shaping resilient and sustainable communities. Civic engagement is not just about politics; it is about stewardship.

For educators and community leaders, the challenge and the opportunity is to nurture this civic capacity in young people. Environmental education programs, from classroom projects to field experiences like the O’Neill Sea Odyssey, integrate civic learning by encouraging students to investigate local environmental issues, collaborate with decision-makers and propose solutions.

Research from the North American Association for Environmental Education and Stanford University underscores this point. When students see how civic processes work, how laws are made, how budgets are set and how public input shapes decisions, they gain a sense of agency and confidence in their ability to make change. Youth learn that democracy is not a spectator sport. Whether the issue is coastal erosion, marine debris or habitat protection, their voices matter. They see that civic participation is not abstract; it is something they can do.

Let’s remember that voting is only one piece of the civic puzzle. Real change happens when we stay engaged, when we participate in local meetings, volunteer with environmental organizations and mentor young advocates. Civic engagement is how communities translate concern into change, and it is how we ensure that the legacy of environmental stewardship continues long after election week is over.

In the spirit of the Lorax, we must all speak, not just for the trees, but for the seas, the shorelines and the communities that depend on them. Our voices, our votes and our collective actions are the roots of a thriving democracy and a healthy planet. So remember, as you cast your ballot, you are not just voting for policies or propositions. You are voting for young people and for the future of our ocean backyard.

Tracey Weiss is the executive director of the O’Neill Sea Odyssey. She is working to support the residents of Santa Cruz County with the information that allows them to connect, impact and understand the ocean ecosystem and the regional environment we call home. She can be reached at osoexecdirector@oneillseaodyssey.org.