Ocean and climate legislation affect all residents of Orange County, but participation in advocacy is not consistent across the county’s varied socioeconomic and cultural groups. Wealthy residents are more often involved in lobbying, and local nonprofits struggle to engage with diverse communities. 

Community colleges typically enroll higher proportions of students from historically marginalized groups than four-year institutions. Financial and social burdens can keep students from transferring from these two-year programs to four-year institutions.

The Center for Diverse Leadership in Science-Ocean Science Learning Ecosystem (CDLS Oceans) is a program that aims to recruit and retain undergraduates from historically marginalized communities in STEM fields. It provides financial support and mentorship for diverse cohorts of students. 

After undergraduate students participate in mentored research, they are more likely to continue pursuing degrees and careers in STEM. Students from historically excluded communities have less access to mentored opportunities, exacerbating existing disparities within STEM fields.