I hope that you will join me at Upwell: A Wave of Ocean Justice this June 2-3 in Washington, DC. Please register today. Due to popular demand, Upwell is moving to a larger venue this year and we are adding a second day. We are holding this year’s event at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library. Day one, held on June 2, has a focus on networking and learning, with four concurrent sessions arranged by theme taking place in classrooms at the MLK library. Day two will take place on June 3 in the MLK library auditorium, with panels, conversations, and plenary addresses. Day one is in-person only, whereas day two will have in-person and virtual options.
As Upwell returns for its fourth year, you’re stepping into a conversation that has helped shape how the conservation movement thinks about people, place, and power. What began as an emerging dialogue has grown into a gathering where you can examine not just the state of the ocean, but the systems that affect the people who depend on it.
REWATCH: Upwell 2023, Upwell 2024, and Upwell 2025
Over the past three years, you’ve seen Upwell push the field toward deeper reflection and more equitable approaches. You’ve heard stories about coastal communities strengthening their voice in marine policy. You’ve learned how equity and justice can guide the design of marine protected areas. You’ve witnessed Indigenous knowledge holders being recognized as essential partners in stewardship. And you’ve joined conversations about the future of small-island leadership, cultural resilience, and the role conservation can play in supporting communities.
When you come to Upwell, you step into a community that challenges the status quo while building something better—one grounded in collaboration, mentorship, and lived experience. You might even learn how to do the Hot To Go dance.
In 2026, you can expect the dialogue to go even further. You’ll engage with people working on the front lines of ocean conservation and learn about real‑world examples of justice‑centered marine policy. You’ll hear from ocean heroes leading conservation on their own terms. You’ll explore what institutional change looks like when inclusion becomes a core practice rather than an aspiration. And you’ll join peers committed to shaping the next chapter of the ocean‑justice movement.
This year’s Upwell isn’t just another conference—it’s a space for you to think, connect, and help chart a more just future for the ocean and the people who call it home. Please register today, the next wave of Upwell is ready for you.
Upwell 2026 is hosted by Aquarium Conservation Partnership, Azul, Green 2.0, and Urban Ocean Lab. The planning committee includes, Center for American Progress, Earthjustice, Natural Resources Defense Council, and Ocean Defense Initiative.