Morgan Buchanan

About Morgan's Community Action Project (CAP)

Morgan’s community action project addresses a need identified by ShoreRivers’ community partners:  expanding equitable access to the Eastern Shore’s waterways. Although rural communities in this region are surrounded by rivers and streams, many young people—particularly those from marginalized backgrounds—lack opportunities to safely experience and enjoy these natural resources. While several state parks offer free canoe use for youth groups, local environmental organizations and state parks often struggle to meet the demand for guided paddle trips.

To bridge this gap, Morgan will use her American Canoe Association Level 2 Instructor certification to lead professional development and training for youth organization staff. These sessions will equip staff with the skills to safely plan and lead paddling excursions for their students. In addition, Morgan’s training will help educators use time on the water as a platform for youth empowerment, leadership development, and civic engagement.

About Morgan

Morgan is a water lover and lifelong learner who calls the rivers of Maryland’s Eastern Shore home. When she’s not paddling a local creek or catching a sunset with loved ones, she’s likely planning her next adventure outdoors.

Morgan joined ShoreRivers three years ago as a member of the Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps, a year-long workforce program that places young professionals at host organizations across the Chesapeake Bay watershed. She came to ShoreRivers with a degree in science and experience in field and lab data collection and analysis—but discovered a passion for education and communicating science in ways that empower and inspire youth environmental action. Today, she serves as the Senior Education Programs Coordinator, sharing her passion for the environment by inspiring K–12 students to explore, understand, and care for their local waterways through classroom instruction, hands-on field experiences, student-led action projects, and professional development workshops for educators across multiple school districts.

Originally from St. Petersburg, Florida, Morgan grew up on the Gulf Coast, where her love for healthy waterways developed. She earned a B.S. in Environmental Science and Molecular and Cellular Biology from Johns Hopkins University where she studied phytoplankton genetics in the Chesapeake Bay. Today, Morgan works to connect science, community, and stewardship—helping young people see themselves as leaders in protecting the places they call home.