Meet Demi Johnson, a bright ninth-grader from Gulfport, Mississippi, who’s making waves in marine conservation. Inspired in seventh grade by discovering the hidden power of oysters, Demi launched a project that has already restored over 1,000 oysters—with more on the way.
Her clever approach? Simple yet effective. She places cages of juvenile oysters beneath a local pier, where they thrive, reproduce, and filter the water—from algae to tiny particles. Beyond purification, those oysters release millions of larvae, helping rebuild reefs that support marine life and protect shorelines.
National Geographic recognized her efforts in the 2024 Slingshot Challenge, awarding her $1,000 to seed more reefs. True to her generous spirit, Demi donated the prize back to the Mississippi Oyster Gardening Program. She also earned the Girl Scout Silver Award, and her work reached a national audience on CBS’s The Visioneers.
Demi plans to expand her impact next season, dreaming of studying environmental law to defend ecosystems through policy. Her story shows that real change can start early, and when passion meets purpose, even a teenager can help the planet heal.