Jr Ocean Guardians Founder

Shelby O’Neil is a National Geographic Young Explorer and the Founder of Jr Ocean Guardians and the global No Straw November movement. Her work began as a Girl Scout Gold Award project and quickly grew into an international campaign that has inspired youth, educators, corporations, and policymakers to rethink single‑use plastics.

​

As a National Gold Award Girl Scout, Shelby partnered with major companies in the aviation, healthcare, and beverage industries to reduce single‑use plastic pollution. These collaborations have helped eliminate over 40 million single‑use plastic straws every year - a measurable impact recognized by both industry leaders and environmental organizations.

​

Shelby also helped advance policy change in California, contributing to the statewide SCR‑139 No Straw November Resolution and supporting the passage of the “Straws Upon Request” law, which limits unnecessary plastic straw distribution across the state.

​

Raised in the small town of San Juan Bautista, California, Shelby is a strong advocate for equal access to science education. Her work focuses on shifting the narrative of who can be a scientist, encouraging diverse young innovators to see themselves in environmental and STEM fields. Jr Ocean Guardians’ first major project, a colorful ocean‑education activity book, has now reached classrooms and scouting troops around the world.

​

Shelby earned her Bachelor of Science in Society & Environment with a Human Rights minor from the University of California, Berkeley, and went on to complete her Master of Science in Energy and Sustainability at Northwestern University. She continues to serve in advisory and leadership roles across the conservation community, championing scalable solutions for a healthier planet.