Our Nonprofit Journey thus far...

In November, we launched a fundraising campaign to help sustain and expand Isla Mar’s work into 2026. Our financial sustainability as a nonprofit has been in the forefront of our minds as we respond to and anticipate the looming federal budget cuts that have made grant funding less reliable for small organizations such as ours. While these challenges affect organizations everywhere, they have also prompted us to reflect on how far we’ve come. Our community has seen the work we’ve put into these last couple years, but we want to highlight the passionate people who make it happen.

Isla Mar began ten years ago when founders - and then graduate students - Chelsea Harms-Tuohy and Evan Tuohy set out to continue meaningful science and conservation work in Puerto Rico. Their early efforts focused on introducing undergraduate and graduate students to the world of marine science - critical exposure to the field that many students lack in their academic programs. As independent scientists, they started writing their own grants to conduct research of their interest on topical themes like the Nassau Grouper and coral reef conservation. The Tuohys commitment to rigorous, place-based science and education continues to guide our work today.

As Isla Mar grew, so did our vision.

We recognized the importance of closing the gap between scientific research and community knowledge. In 2024, we officially launched Isla Mar’s nonprofit branch to bring ocean science to more folks within our island community. Believing in education as a core conservation tool, we developed programs that engage our community at multiple levels: Youth Education, Citizen Science, the Seed Fund, and outreach events.

Who is Isla Mar?

Currently, our nonprofit work is carried forward by a small, dedicated team of five who manage all aspects of the nonprofit. This includes our Operations Manager as well as two team members who began as support interns and then later transitioned into permanent staff roles as Communications Manager and Outreach Coordinator. Our Executive Director and Co-Founder, Chelsea Harms-Tuohy, continues to volunteer her time to lead the organization. 

Our Youth Education Program, led by marine educator Leslie Wade, serves children ages 5-13 with engaging, hands-on lessons in ocean science and sustainability. What began as small classes held in her home during the pandemic has grown into our most popular program. While session donations currently cover teaching hours, much of the program’s planning and development has been volunteer-based. 

As with most nonprofits, our staff wear several hats and each of them serves other critical roles within their lives including managing other businesses, working on a Masters thesis, volunteering or working extensively with other nonprofits, and taking care of animals, children and other family members. 

What did we accomplish in 2025?

Over the past year, we refined our youth programs to better support students and families. Our 5&6-year-old class shifted from a once-a-month format to a three-week curriculum, creating more consistent engagement and a schedule families could more easily commit to. Our six-week programs for ages 7-9 and 10-13 continued to thrive, and we expanded our oldest group to include students up to age 13 (we loved to see that our students want to stay as they grow!). These changes were guided by feedback from parents and students and allow learners to move seamlessly through each stage of our program. Across all ages, students explore marine invertebrates, fish, turtles, ocean food webs, and sustainability through small-group, place-based learning. Our program continues to evolve to meet the learning needs of our students!

We continued to expand meaningful opportunities for community engagement through strong collaborations with scientists and educators. One highlight was the Plants of High Ecological Value Workshop for families, developed with our Advisory Board member Dr. Tomás Carlo, which introduced participants to basic ecology and native plants. The workshop was a resounding success, and many community members still share how excited they were to learn more about the plants they see every day. In October, we also hosted our first BioBlitz in the Tres Palmas Marine Reserve, bringing the community together to document more than 100 observations of local coastal biodiversity. This effort was made possible through collaboration with local experts, including Mariela Butler and Willy Burgos from Para la Naturaleza (flora), Marina de León from UC Davis (amphibians and reptiles), and Carla Montalvo and Elvin Álvarez from Roots & Shoots and Birds Caribbean, who led the bird exploration.

Scientific engagement remains a key focus of our work.

This year, we hosted our first Coral Reef Optimism Workshop, a project designed by our interns and hosted for scientists at different stages of their careers. Participants came from all over the island, representing groups such as ISER Caribe, AmandOceano, Grupo VIDAS, DRNA, Sociedad Ambiente Marino, CESAM and Arrecife Isla Verde. Participants shared experiences from research, education, and conservation in Puerto Rico while exploring new ways to engage diverse communities. We also trained our Citizen Science members to support long-term monitoring of benthic, fish populations, and bird habitats in the Tres Palmas Marine Reserve, empowering community members to become environmental stewards.

What’s in our Future?

Looking ahead, we plan to continue building on this momentum. In the coming year, we aim to bring elements of our youth curriculum into local schools, collaborate with artists and storytellers to create custom learning materials, and expand opportunities for community members to participate in meaningful science. We also plan to host additional BioBlitz events and family-friendly outreach activities.

Isla Mar is built on the support of a community that believes in our mission. We’re currently fundraising to cover our 2026 operational costs, and we invite you to be part of what comes next. You can make a one-time gift or become a monthly donor.

A $15 monthly donation, about the cost of an açaí bowl, provides steady support we can rely on all year long. Can you help us secure our future for next year? 

If you’re looking for more ways to get involved, reach out! We often need other types of support, especially if you have a particular expertise that a young nonprofit could benefit from! Volunteering your expertise is a wonderful and supportive way to help us in 2026. 

Do you own a business, or know someone who does? Then talk to us about our Corporate Sponsorship program. We hope to engage with several local businesses who want to give back in a meaningful and real way by supporting our work. Send an email to Lourdes at outreach@islamar.org to start the conversation.