Kirsten Hutchings - Co-Founder/executive director

Kirsten, a Florida native, has always been connected to her environment, sparking an early interest in becoming an environmentalist. While that goal would come to fruition two decades later, her journey first took her into the military and then the federal government for the past 20 years focusing on policy analysis. In the subsequent years she embraced a new chapter focused on marine conservation and sustainable urban planning. This passion ultimately led to the founding of the Blue Urban Project, where she continues her commitment to preserving both sustainable urban planning and marine ecosystems in coastal cities.

Scuba diving, traveling, reading, and spending time with her fur kids.

University of South Florida, MS, Sustainable Energy

Eckerd College, BA, Environmental Studies and Political Science

Raymond is a Navy veteran, with over 30 years of experience in the healthcare field.  Transitioning to a career in environmentalism driven by a passion for water conservation, he is dedicated to addressing the climate crisis by educating the public on sustainable coastal urban development.

As a former Search and Dive Rescue officer, he developed a passion for scuba diving and all things water.  Raymond also enjoys bicycling, recreational sailing and sustainable travel.

Raymond has a bachelor's degree in biology and a master's degree in Global Sustainability with an emphasis on water resource conservation.  

Jennifer has worked in federal fisheries management since 2011, when she was honored to be selected as a Sea Grant Knauss Fellow and matched with the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Management Division of NOAA Fisheries. Jennifer has since specialized in the policy and domestic management of Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (sharks, tuna, swordfish and billfish). Between multiple degrees and employment, Jennifer has completed over 10 years of biological field work on many species and topics, including sea turtle conservation, bat hibernation patterns, fire ecology, bird conservation, freshwater gamefish (yellow perch, walleye, sauger), diadromous fish passage and migration, marine fisheries, and shark migration. 

Cycling, group improvisational bellydance, gardening, dog mom, and traveling.

East Carolina University, PhD, Coastal Resources Management 

East Carolina University, MS, Biology

Ohio Northern University, BS, Environmental Studies & Biology

Dylan is a marine wildlife conservationist, educator, and wildlife  videographer with a strong connection to Florida’s coastal ecosystems.  He earned his B.S. in Marine Science from Eckerd College, with a focus  on ecology and elasmobranchology.  During his time at Eckerd, he founded the Shark Conservation Center,  where he developed hands-on conservation education programs, supported  community outreach, and contributed to field research through the  tagging of hundreds of sharks. 

With  The Blue Urban Project, Dylan helps build partnerships that advance  wildlife conservation, environmental education, and community  engagement. He also brings experience in drone-based conservation media,  using wildlife videography to create visual stories that highlight the  importance of Florida’s coastal habitats and the Tampa Bay estuary.  Dylan is passionate about connecting people, organizations, and  communities through education, conservation events, and storytelling  that inspires long-term environmental stewardship. 

 Wildlife drone videography, scuba and fossil diving, boating, and exploration  

 Eckerd College, B.S. Marine Science  

Sean is a software engineer who has always had a passion for ecology. Growing up

near the Florida Everglades, Sean had the opportunity to witness the

interconnectedness of nature and understand the importance of balance from a young

age. Bringing those concepts into his adult life, he believes technology cannot be

sustainably valuable at a cost to the environment and hopes to push the needle toward

net-zero impact through his collaboration with the Blue Urban Project. Aside from

engaging in support roles for our many community and environmental outreach projects,

Sean assists with developing our technical stack to provide an aspect of automation to

our outreach, allowing us to engage with the community and environment in ways that

were previously more difficult or impossible.

Enjoys hiking/walking, observing nature, learning languages, writing fiction, running

homebrew Dungeons & Dragons campaigns, and playing video games

Duke University, B.S.Computer Science and Mathematics

Mike is a GIS volunteer and environmental advocate based in St. Petersburg, Florida, combining experience in geospatial analysis, marine conservation, and federal-level policy analysis. With The Blue Urban Project, he supports spatial data management, analysis, and the creation of interactive StoryMaps and dashboards. A senior at the University of South Florida, he is completing a B.A. in Geography with a specialization in Society and Environment and a minor in GIS, focusing on applying geospatial tools to environmental challenges.

Mike, in his part-time job, is an SDI/PADI-certified Divemaster and active volunteer with Sea Turtle Trackers and Tampa Bay Watch, contributing to marine conservation, wildlife monitoring, and coastal restoration.

University of South Florida, B.A., Geography (Society & Environment), Minor in GIS

 Sarah is a Florida native, a sailor, an environmental advocate,  and a community engagement professional whose lifelong connection to the  ocean has inspired her commitment to protecting coastal ecosystems and  communities. Growing up on Florida's waterways and spending years  sailing and exploring marine environments fostered a deep appreciation  for the natural world and the importance of environmental stewardship.  With a background in entrepreneurship and nonprofit program management,  Sarah has coordinated beach cleanups, environmental initiatives, and  community-driven programs that bring people together to create positive  impact. Through her work with the Blue Urban Project, she is passionate  about connecting people to their local waterways, promoting sustainable  coastal communities, and inspiring collective action to protect the  oceans for future generations. 

Sailing, paddleboarding, scuba diving, running, and cooking. 

 University of South Florida, B.S., Entrepreneurship; Professional studies and training in User Experience (UX) Design

With a stubborn heart striving for a greener future, Devon desires self sufficiency within communities, environmental conservation and preservation in an artificial world. With an inkling for digital media management and photography, Devon will provide the visual encapsulation of the work and opportunities that Blue Urbanism promise.

Swimming, dancing, practicing the piano, and playing video games.

Currently earning his BA at Valencia College in Audio Technology and Sound Production.