Veterans on the Frontline of Coastal Conservation: A Veteran’s Day Tribute | Sea Change

November 10, 2023

A special for all our Vets out there!

In this special Veteran’s Day rebroadcast of the Sea Change Podcast, host Jenna Valente welcomes Whit Jones, the South Carolina Operations Director for Wounded Nature-Working Veterans. Delve into a captivating conversation about how veterans are leading the charge to heal our coastal ecosystems. Whit shares inspiring stories of veterans, boaters, and local volunteers banding together to tackle the pressing issues of oceanic trash and debris, ensuring the protection of vital wildlife habitats. Tune in to discover how service and stewardship go hand in hand in this poignant episode.

Show Transcription
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Jenna Valente

A passion for conservation and appreciation for the natural world was engrained in Jenna at a young age. Her father was in the Coast Guard. This meant she always had the fortune of living near the ocean, including Hawaii, Washington State, and Maine. Both of her parents encouraged her to spend the majority of her time outside. As a result, she finds that she is most comfortable barefoot and exploring the coast, countryside, or mountains. Her favorite thing about the ocean is the sheer power of it all. Jenna joined the American Littoral Society as the Healthy Oceans Coalition Coordinator from the Chesapeake Research Consortium where she was a member of the communications staff and focused on building the brand of the program and ensure the health of the Chesapeake Bay. Jenna completed her Executive Master of Natural Resources from Virginia Tech in 2015 and also has her Bachelors in Communication and Journalism from the University of Maine.