Teen Face: Passion for marine life inspires activism

Mary Young is declaring war on the cigarette butt.

She says the often-flicked piece of burning litter poses a serious threat to the environment because it ends up in waterways, leaching out chemicals and endangering wildlife.

The ubiquitous trash is the most talked-about item on International Coastal Clean-Up Day, she said.

Still, smokers continue to flick. On a recent weekend, Young and her friends picked up 2,100 discarded butts in the space of two hours outside downtown Santa Rosa restaurants and other businesses.

She presented her findings to city officials in a bid to get them to finance a specially designed metal collection box - or “bait tank” - for them.

“It’s the most common litter in the world,” said Young, 17, a Montgomery High School senior. “They’re a huge problem because they have carcinogens in them that get in the waterways. And they’re not biodegradable, contrary to popular belief.”

Young’s concern stems from her love of the ocean and passion for marine science.

She’s fascinated by the unexplored reaches and wants to protect seas and rivers for generations to come.

At school, she started a group called the Watershed Network, which takes on projects to that end while promoting awareness of threats to the ecosystem.

She’s also on the ECO2 school program, which encourages students in recycling and climate protection efforts.

“Her passion for marine life has served as motivation to inspire and educate not only those around her but her entire community,” said Paola Alvarado, program coordinator for the Center for Climate Protection.

Young traces her interest back to seventh-grade biology. She recalls looking at plant cells at Slater Middle School and thinking, “I have to do something in biology.”

“I was so amazed,” she said.

A trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium confirmed her feelings. She was awestruck by the diversity of life forms on display and the realization they made up just a fraction of everything in the world’s oceans.

In high school, she’s taking a lot of science classes and is in the international baccalaureate program. Next year, she hopes to go to college at Texas A&M in Galveston and someday become a marine biologist.

Her other interests have included soccer, tennis and band, where she plays clarinet. She’s also hoping to take scuba-diving lessons soon.

Her mother, Christi Young, promised the lessons for her birthday.

She describes herself as basically a shy person but one who can get worked up about things she’s passionate about.

“My dad always accuses me of being too political about things,” Young said. “I like to think I’m outspoken and hold true to my beliefs as much as I can.”

You can reach Staff Writer Paul Payne at 568-5312 or paul.payne@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @ppayne.