“Our YELP leaders constantly inspire us—they are dedicated, compassionate, and hard-working students who strive to make our coast a better place.”
Please contact Stephanie for more information about our YELP program.
Now entering its second year, YELP is a conservation leadership program for high school students who have a strong interest in deepening their environmental knowledge, cultivating leadership skills, and making a positive impact on our coast’s future. YELP provides opportunities for students from across our coast to explore our coastal resources, teaches them the science behind environmental issues, and helps them gain the skills needed to effect change in their communities.
The next generation is leading the way! Stay tuned for updates on our student leaders’ work throughout the year.
Please contact Stephanie for more information about our YELP program.
Stephanie’s love for the ocean started at a very young age on the beaches of Stone Harbor, New Jersey, searching for and collecting shells with her Nana. This childhood passion never stopped, and she followed her interest in the outdoors by pursuing a degree in Marine Science from American University in Washington, D.C.
After college, Stephanie spent time teaching environmental science in Florida, California, and Georgia. Ultimately settling on the Georgia coast, she worked at Driftwood Education Center on St. Simons Island as the Program Director and later with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources as a Naturalist on Sapelo Island. Stephanie continues to share her love of our coast as a part of the One Hundred Miles education team.
Cabretta Beach on Sapelo Island
Megan Desrosiers is the founding President/CEO of One Hundred Miles, Georgia’s coastal advocacy organization. In an effort to elevate the Georgia coast as a recognized place of historical, cultural, and biological significance, she spends her time working in local communities, on regional collaboration projects, and lobbying in Atlanta. Since the organization’s inception in 2013, Megan and her team have been responsible for improvements to the Erosion and Sedimentation Act requiring a 25-foot buffer for all salt marsh, galvanizing statewide opposition to offshore drilling, education programs reaching more than 10,000 people annually, and local ordinances that promote responsible growth balanced with conservation. She also serves on the leadership team of the Georgia Water Coalition and the board of Georgia Conservation Voters.
Before coming to Georgia’s coast, Megan spent 10 years at the Coastal Conservation League (CCL) in South Carolina, where she helped to establish the organization’s first climate and energy and agriculture program agendas. She worked with a team to start GrowFood Carolina, South Carolina’s first local food hub, and collaborated with a group of diverse leaders to initiate Charleston County’s Greenbelt Program.
Megan is a graduate of Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania and Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Since finishing her degrees, she has completed professional development programs at the Harvard Business School, Institute for Conservation Leadership, and the Buckley School for Public Speaking. Megan lives in Old Town Brunswick with her husband, Michael, and two sons, Luca and Kellen.
Forsyth Park in downtown Savannah
Kind, Silly, Ready to help
Zoo Veterinarian or Journalist
Cumberland Island because it’s so peaceful and a happy reminder that we can protect our barrier islands.
Rising sea levels and plastic pollution. I love water, but I love my dry home more. It’s sad to see such beautiful places littered with plastics and animals choked to death because we have to have our cokes tied together.
Polite, Determined, Assertive
Chief Physician or a doctor in the Intensive Care Unit
My favorite place along Georgia’s coast is Jekyll Island due to the higher quality of natural resources found there compared to Tybee Island. The sand beaches have better upkeep, and the water is visibly less polluted.
I am most passionate about the erosion of Georgia’s coastline, as this issue can lead to multiple detriments down the road. It causes concern to nearby developments and housing, is attributed to more widespread issues such as global warming along with an imbalance of natural resources, etc.
Passionate, Daring, Adventurous
Sales/ Real Estate
Tybee Island, I love boating through all of the cuts on and around Tybee. It’s also very fun to fish around the island.
The pollution of our beaches and oceans.
Driven, Compassionate, Resilient
Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist
While not strictly coastal, I love the Okefenokee Swamp! It is absolutely gorgeous, and the towering trees, open expanses, and wildlife are amazing to behold. Strictly coastal, I often visit South End Beach on Jekyll Island. It’s typically empty, and the birds are free to frolic around. The best part is the dolphin sightings, though!
The environmental issues I gravitate towards are those pertaining to environmental health, so I care about the coastal environment, but I also care about the people who live here. Enforcing environmental standards with building projects and other business/government activity, safe substance levels in water/water quality, preventing habitat destruction, and safeguarding our wildlife are things I care about. There’s no place like the Georgia coast.
Dedicated, Considerate, Passionate
I would love to do conservation work in a national park, especially one out west!
I really like Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island. There are uprooted trees all along the shore, and I love both climbing them and seeing the life they harbor. (There are so many fiddler crabs!)
I’m really passionate about water quality; it is important both to give people access to clean, safe water for drinking, household use, or recreational activities and to ensure a livable water quality to preserve the ecosystems of coastal Georgia. Without good water quality, we could lose the biodiversity that makes our shores so special–species would not tolerate the water due to its chemical or biological composition, and this could lead to drastic negative changes in our coast.
Intelligent, Creative, Welcoming
Civil Engineer
Cumberland Island is the perfect balance of breathtaking scenery and fascinating history.
Pollution by major corporations who are not held accountable by the government.
Enthusiastic, Adventurous, Ambitious
Anthropologist/ Archaeologist
Driftwood Beach, because it’s interesting to look at the sea anemones during low tide. It’s also really peaceful when hiking and kayaking over there.
Habitat loss. It’s important to protect coastal plants and wildlife because that is what makes our area so unique. Like what would we be without marsh grass!
Thoughtful, Cooperative, and Controlled
Environmental Engineer
My favorite place along the coast is Tybee island. I and my family go there often, we ride the waves on our body boards and enjoy picnics, it’s a meditative and enjoyable place to go. Considering how much time I’ve spent there, there is no other place with the same emotional connection.
I’m most passionate about plastics. Plastics build up more and more each year, now we face the consequences of our carelessness. A blanket of plastic pollution is scattered throughout the ocean. These plastics drift along the surface, constantly being broken down further and further until they become microplastics, toxic to fish, and to people. To eliminate plastic waste is to ensure our ecosystems are that much healthier, and our seafood isn’t chock-full of microplastics.
Thoughtful, Observant, and Organized
Definitely something in the science field. As of now, I really would like to be a forensic scientist. I love how it’s putting together a huge puzzle, and you also get to solve the crime, which is really awesome.
My favorite place along the Georgia coast would probably have to be the salt marshes. When I think of Savannah and where I am from, I don’t really think of Tybee Island or Downtown Savannah. I think of the marshes because that is what I am most familiar with and what I grew up around. I love the salt marsh ecosystem and the familiar smell. It’s definitely something I know I’d miss if I did not live on the coast.
I am passionate about all coastal issues, but I think I am the most passionate about littering. Littering feels a lot more personal than some other possible issues and pollution problems, but everyone has done it at some point, whether on purpose or accidental. Littering is such a small thing that if individuals can stop doing, it would make such a huge difference.
Ambitious, Passionate, and Reliable
Something in environmental science
Cumberland Island. I like the historical ruins and horses. I also like how peaceful it is there.
I am most passionate about issues that deal with animals like lights with turtles and boat rudders with manatees.
Kind, Smart, Creative
DNR agent in the state of Georgia
Cumberland Island. I’ve spent time camping there twice in the primitive camping areas. I just love it.
Sea Turtle experiences….from people staying off the beach at night and cleaning their holes and plastic up before leaving….to keeping people off the nests…..to making sure that the lights are out when it’s time to get those baby sea turtles hatched and headed to the sea.
Passionate, Caring, Positive.
Biomedical engineer
Savannah. I’ve been here for three years, it has been a precious part of my high school memory.
Food waste and trash. It is a long-term issue yet managed to make a change.
Hardworking, Curious, Dedicated
Writer
My favorite place along Georgia’s coast is Goulds Inlet on St. Simons Island. This particular place is special to me because I spend a lot of time there surfing and hanging out. The beach itself is always changing and there are lots of shorebirds. I also often see sea turtles, sharks, dolphins, and tarpon there. It also has great sunrises and sunsets.
I am most passionate about protecting coastal wildlife. I want to preserve our local wildlife because I recreate in and enjoy our natural areas on our coast such as our beaches and marshes. The plants and animals that inhabit these areas are part of those environments and are important to me.
Chatty, Outgoing, and Quirky
Working with urban forestry.
Jekyll island, and I like the fact that not as many people choose to visit those beaches.
Damage to wildlife due to climate change, I love sea creatures and find them fascinating. There are so many undiscovered creatures in our oceans that are probably going instinct right now.
Caring, Motivated, Curious
I don’t really know what I want to be exactly, but I would love to do something that would allow me to travel to new places.
My favorite place is Wassaw Island because I have fond memories of going during the summer with friends and my family.
I am most passionate about plastic pollution because it is something that can be significantly lessened if more people become aware of what an impact recycling/ throwing away their trash could make for the environment instead of leaving it on the ground.
Thoughtful, Hardworking, Creative
Journalist/Editor
My favorite place along Georgia’s coast is Sea Island. I am not so big of a fan of the resort itself as I am the beach. It is the site of a lot of meaningful memories for my family and important personal milestones, such as learning how to swim. For these reasons I love that particular beach and have grown very protective of it as litter and damage increases due to tourists.
One of the main coastal issues I am passionate about is the increased destruction and deforestation of marshland for the sake of housing developments. I have been highly concerned with this issue ever since I witnessed an albino deer flee through the marsh by King’s Way as a result of the construction of the Yacht Club years ago. I was horrified that an already vulnerable creature had been made even more susceptible to harm due to displacement. The clearing of important land is deeply alarming as it continues to cause a large loss of animal habitats and to contribute to coastal erosion.
Excited, Intelligent, Happy
Aerospace Engineer or Environmental Engineer
Something big in my life are the trips I take with my family. Every year we go on a road trip, which lasted for 2 months last year.
My favorite thing is the uninhabited islands. Since I was a kid I have been camping on the islands, enjoying their nature.
Rising sea levels, because our salt water marshes are so susceptible to the damage it could cause.
You can’t succeed if you never try. You gotta get out there and do something about it if you really care.
Energetic, Funny, Outgoing
Physical therapist
I’m proud that I make good grades, play 3 sports and work a job.
My grandfather’s dock because I like to fish and swim.
Plastic pollution.
Be yourself.
Adventurous, Driven, Hardworking
Environmental Engineer
I am captain of the Glynn Academy sailing team.
Savannah is my favorite place along the Georgia coast because of how easily the natural aspects combine with its history.
Probably pollution. Since I sail on the Brunswick river I see the effects of pollution on the local ecosystem. It is upsetting to see how the area is transformed by trash.
Educate yourself on local issues and things you can do to help. No matter how small, everything helps.
Lively, Artistic, Humorous
Undecided
My dad won the lottery visa which allowed my family to come to the United States.
My favorite place along Georgia’s coast is Jekyll island because of its beautiful views.
Pollution, because it causes a huge risk on animal in the coastal areas of Georgia.
I say, reach out to your community, neighborhood and organizations like YELP so that you can be surrounded by people who will help you every step of the way.
Determined, Intuitive, Fast Learner
Aquatic Veterinary
I volunteer at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and took role in cleaning out our science building in an eco-friendly way.
The Georgia Sea Turtle Center because you get to learn so much about things that you didn’t know before.
Plastic pollution and pollution in general because I have seen first hand the effects of that pollution on sea turtles.
Do what you believe is right, and stick with it.
Dependable, Open-Minded, Sympathetic
Psychologist
I’ve always strived for great grades which has led me to have straight A’s on every report card I’ve gotten.
I love the beaches because they are such a beautiful and calming sight. It’s a great place to relax and unwind or have fun with friends and family.
I’m worried most about pollution of the environment because I feel as if it’s an activity most people do without giving a second thought about it without realizing the detrimental effects that come with it.
I advise any student that wants to be a leader or make a difference is to be a role model. Be the person that goes out and helps the community rather than telling others they should go out and help. Not only does it set you as a positive example for the others, it shows you’re willing to make a change with the people alongside them.
Adventurous, Creative, Assiduous
I don’t know exactly what it is I want to pursue later in life, but I know I want it to be something that gives me the freedom to travel and explore the world while still making a difference. I want to do something that allows me to be creative and pursue my passions, something more than just a standard desk job.
I’ve participated in South Carolina’s Olympic Development Program for soccer for the past two years.
My favorite place probably has to be Saint Simon’s Island. It’s not just about how beautiful and serene it is, though. I like how being there makes me feel. I like that it makes me feel at peace with myself and lets me escape from the world around me.
I think that major coastal issues to be concerned about primarily surround plastic pollution and the degradation of beaches and coastal lands. There are so many issues that are important and worthwhile, but I feel that plastic pollution is especially important. It threatens wildlife and chemicals leeched can harmfully impact human health, as well.
You are never too small to make a difference. Every movement and every change in history has started with one action, one idea, that was built upon to create change. All contributions, big or small, have the power to make a difference.
Creative, Thoughtful, Humorous
Biomedical Engineer
Tybee island, since I live closest to it. I have many memories there with my family and friends, and it has always been a great place to be with the important people in my life.
Plastic pollution and littering. Littering is something that is completely caused by human beings; that means it can be completely prevented by the same people. Plastic pollution is something that is ruining marine ecosystems, and it is so frustrating knowing that it is preventable and current pollution in the ocean can be controlled if more people focused on it.
To not be shy to speak up. I’ve been scared to talk about anything important for a lot of my life, but speaking up about something you’re passionate about and what change you want to bring to a community is something you won’t regret.
Exists, Person, 100100001101001
Film, since it’s a dream career, but something STEM based to be more realistic.
I can breathe oxygen.
Riverstreet because it just has this aesthetic, and I love the landscape and animals the most.
Flooding since we are wasting so much tax money on unrealistic plans to fix flooding.
Society sucks, so try to make it better.
Shy, Funny, Strong-Minded
Pediatrician
Everything I’ve set my mind to, I got.
I haven’t really explored Georgia that much but the beaches are nice and everything is closer compared to where I moved from.
I’m most passionate about the pollution going on because if we don’t clean up the earth we won’t have a earth to live on andit’s just like living for a future that will never come.
Envision your goals then do whatever you have to do to reach them. Don’t ever slack, keep grinding and make sure you are fully passionate about the difference you want to make because that motivation is going to help push you.
Funny, Creative, Athletic
Something in the creative field (music, photography,etc.) or a type of biology where I either work with bacteria or animals.
My photography pictures.
I like anywhere in nature. Anywhere that makes me feel close to the presence of God and I get to experience creation
Definitely harm against wildlife. Wildlife is so important to our ecosystem that without the wildlife we wouldn’t be able to function normally.
Take your time. Don’t just jump into something right away. Change doesn’t happen over night.
Curious, Creative, Unique
Geologist
I was the County Coordinator for Lisa Ring during the 2018 midterms.
The beach on Sapelo Island, because it is well preserved and scarcely touched by people.
Ocean acidification, because it threatens to disrupt the world’s coasts and oceans in ways that I never imagined were possible.
Never stop being a student.
Curious, Tunnel focus, Active
Being a famous musician
I know how to play 8 different instruments.
Jekyll is a fantastic island, with an enormous range of sights.
Plastic waste, rising sea levels, pollution.
Go out there and just do it.