Local teen Diya Comar champions water quality with Salt and Soul initiative in Jacksonville

Jacksonville residents have a strong tradition of keeping local beaches clean through community efforts and individual actions. However, the quality of the water itself often receives less attention.

Diya Comar, a senior at The Bolles School, recognized this gap and founded Salt and Soul, a student-led environmental advocacy platform. Salt and Soul aims to bridge the information gap by making environmental data accessible and actionable for young people, focusing specifically on local Jacksonville-area water quality issues.

Comar's understanding of coastal protection deepened through her involvement in environmental programs and research. She learned about coastal erosion, plastic pollution, and the rapid changes affecting shorelines. During a summer sustainability program at the University of Florida, Comar began to consider how to make environmental information more understandable for her peers.

Salt and Soul highlights Jacksonville-area environmental issues, volunteer opportunities, and advocacy efforts. The platform also provides interactive tools, including a Water Footprint Calculator and an Ocean Plastic Tracker, to help individuals understand their personal environmental impact.

Residents interested in learning more about local water quality and how to get involved can visit the Salt and Soul platform.