Mid-Atlantic Marine Debris Summit

12-13 November 2025 | Dewey Beach, DE, USA

The Mid-Atlantic Marine Debris Summit is a biennial two-day event convened by the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean (MARCO). The Summit brings together leaders from U.S. state and federal agencies, tribes, non-profit organizations, academia, and other regional partners to strengthen coordination, share updates on current and emerging marine debris issues, and highlight effective prevention and reduction strategies.

At this year’s summit, Chloe McKenna will be sharing insights from across the Atlantic by drawing from research and engagement in the Scottish islands as part of the “Case Studies in the Benefits of Prevention and Removal” panel and poster session. By highlighting opportunities for cross-cultural collaboration on prevention and removal, and emphasizing the socio-cultural dimensions of marine debris impacts, I will explore how marine debris connects our shores from the U.S. East Coast to even the most remote beaches in the UK.

California Seaweed Festival

11 October 2025 | Los Angeles, CA, USA

The California Seaweed Festival is an annual celebration of all things seaweed, featuring panels, educational workshops, and hands-on activities that highlight the vibrant diversity and ecological importance of seaweed species along the coast.

Chloe McKenna, Founder of Hebridean Coastal Stories, joined the Urban Ocean Ecosystems panel to share insights from her Master’s research at the University of Edinburgh. The presentation explored how marine resources used in traditional crofting practices in Scotland, particularly seaweed, are increasingly threatened by plastic pollution.

For Chloe, presenting at the 2025 Festival was a meaningful opportunity to bring her academic work back to her home community in Southern California. By sharing stories and findings from the Hebrides, cross-cultural insights were explored, highlighting the global relevance of seaweed-related cultural and ecological issues.

Royal Geographical Society Conference

29 August 2025 | Birmingham, England

The Royal Geographical Society Annual International Conference is one of the world’s largest gatherings of researchers working on global social, environmental, and spatial issues. This year, Chloe McKenna, Founder of Hebridean Coastal Stories, presented in the Coastal and Marine Research Group’s session, “Global Marine and Coastal Issues.”

Her presentation shared stories and insights from her Master’s research on the Isle of Lewis, exploring how marine plastic pollution shapes island life—socially, ecologically, and culturally. For this work, Chloe was awarded the Postgraduate Annual Award Presentation Prize by the RGS Coastal and Marine Research Group.

Coastal Community Fair

26 November 2024 | Isle of Lewis, Scotland

The Coastal Community Fair brought community members together to showcase the human–ocean connections of the island, while spotlighting local organizations, artists, and small businesses who work at the intersection of the ocean and plastic pollution.

Representatives from the Scottish Islands Federation, Clean Coast Outer Hebrides, and Climate Hebrides shared opportunities for local involvement in tackling environmental challenges on Lewis. Alongside these groups, individuals showcased jewelry crafted from sea glass and marine debris, as well as interdisciplinary artwork linking art, culture, and the environment in the islands.

The Fair weaved together practical actions with creativity and cultural expression in response to coastal change.

An Afternoon of HCS

25 November 2024 | Isle of Lewis, Scotland

Hosted at An Lanntair, this panel brought together representatives from Climate Hebrides, Clean Coast Outer Hebrides, Scottish Islands Federation Marine Litter Working Group, and Plastic@Bay. The event aimed not only to share findings from the socio-ecological plastic pollution research conducted on Lewis, but also to highlight the work of community organizations and local leaders addressing environmental challenges across the islands.

Discussions among panelists and attendees uncovered opportunities for collaboration and increased awareness of ways to engage with citizen science and volunteer projects on Lewis. The gathering celebrated the resilience and commitment of island communities while sparking new conversations about stewardship.