Fremont Teen Leads San Francisco Bay Shoreline Cleanup

FREMONT, CA — A stretch of shoreline in Alameda was ready for summertime visitors after a Fremont teen, Felix Lin, led a cleanup that included more than 50 students and adults. Together, they collected over 350 pounds of trash.

"Their efforts were especially important right now as the endangered least terns are back in the area," said Liz Taylor, president of Deep Ocean Explore Research (DOER) Marine. "They, along with many other sea birds, are at high risk from consuming plastics or becoming entangled in debris."

The group gathered on April 23. At the time, Lin was a junior at Mission San Jose High School, but reached beyond their immediate circle of friends to gather students from eight schools: Decoto School of Independent Study, James Logan High, J.F. Kennedy High, Washington High School, Mission San Jose High, Quarry Lane High School, Robertson High, Thomas Russell Middle School, and William Hopkins Junior High School.

Lin's mother, May Guo, told Patch that the conservation effort was moving, "It was inspiring to see so many different school students come together for a shared cause."

A second cleanup is planned for Saturday. Both students and adults are invited to participate. You must register in advance. Read about details of the cleanup, and then sign up.

Lin has long been inspired by the ocean, becoming an open water scuba diver in Monterey Bay at just 12. Since then, they conducted two award-winning science projects that focused on California giant kelp and purple sea urchins. Lin is so passionate about the ocean that they started a chapter of a non-profit organization called AquaMeridian US earlier this year.

According to Guo, Lin's goal is "to educate and inspire her peers about ocean conservation and how to take action to make a positive impact on the global community."

Lin was a 2022 Regeneron International Science Fair finalist and two special awards winner.