Santa Cruz, CA — September 2025 — The countdown is on! Our NEXTies spin-off event, NEXTies: Earth & Sea will take place on October 3, 2025 at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center, shining a spotlight on Santa Cruz’s boldest environmental changemakers. From grassroots advocates to groundbreaking innovators, this new awards event will celebrate those who are protecting our oceans, coasts, and planet.
The evening will feature awards, live music, local food, drink and vendors overlooking the Monterey Bay. Winners will be honored across eight categories for their extraordinary contributions to science, conservation, and coastal resilience.
2025 NEXTies: Earth & Sea Awardees
- Scientist, “The Brainwave Award” — For groundbreaking research, innovation, or scientific discovery.
- Winner – Andrew Fisher, UC Santa Cruz – For the science he conducted to understand and act on urban flooding, saltwater intrusion, and freshwater supply in the Pajaro River Valley.
- Invention/Inventors, “The Spark Award” — Honoring inventive minds who ignite change.
- Winner – SwellCycle – For their incredible innovation in large-scale, sustainable manufacturing.
- Green Business, “Eco Impact Award” — Recognizing sustainable business practices with big results.
- Winner – Javier Zamora, JSM Organics – For his forward thinking use of farm land to advance habitat restoration, allow scientific research and his commitment to sustainable and regenerative farming practices.
- Youth / Grom, “The Rising Star Award” — Celebrating young changemakers shaping the future.
- Winner – Hazel Campbell – For her research on kelp forests and how they combat coastal erosion, which placed third at the International Science Fair.
- Adventurer, “The Trailblazer Award” — For pushing limits and exploring new frontiers—on land, sea, or spirit.
- Winner – Sarah Newkirk – For her efforts to organize and pass Measure Q, an innovative, one-of-a-kind constituent-funded measure that our community will benefit from for decades to come.
- Community Organizer, “The Catalyst Award” — Honoring those who unite, empower, and uplift communities.
- Winner – Robert Mazurek – For his work to organize dozens of partners to win the $71 million dollar NOAA grant for coastal climate resilience.
- Projects, “The Big Idea Award” — For bold initiatives making real-world impact.
- Winners – Darryl Wong & Gage Dayton – For transformative land acquisition to advance conservation, sustainable agriculture, and hands-on learning.
- Lifetime Achievement, “The Farr Star Award” — For decades of leadership and vision in sustainability and environmental stewardship.
- Winner – Tiffany Wise-West – Her work on energy, carbon neutrality, climate action planning, living shorelines, coastal armoring, public health and disaster preparedness have made a lasting impact on science and solutions in our community.
Join Us for a Night to Remember
Doors open at 5:30PM with food, drink, an awards ceremony followed by live music. Tickets are available now, and community members are invited to be part of this one-of-a-kind celebration that blends art, activism, and action.
“The earth and sea is what defines Santa Cruz; I believe it’s the fundamental fabric of our local culture. Plus, our community has a long history of science, innovation, and activism in the marine and environmental spaces” said Jonathan Hicken, Seymour Center’s Executive Director. “We don’t celebrate the people behind the work nearly enough. The NEXTies: Earth & Sea will honor this year’s winners and also inspire all of us to step up for the planet.”
And don’t forget that there will be a special performance from James Durbin and the Lost Boys to close out the night
About The NEXTies: Earth & Sea
A spin-off of The NEXTies—Santa Cruz’s annual celebration of doers, artists, and innovators—The NEXTies: Earth & Sea highlights leaders working on behalf of the environment. Presented in partnership with Event Santa Cruz, the event amplifies local voices creating global change.
