Adam Mistler is a dedicated professional in the field of ocean conservation, currently serving as the National Outreach Manager for Ocean Conservancy in Washington, D.C. He holds a degree in political science from Boston College and initially moved to D.C. to pursue a career in politics. His early career included an internship with Senator Bill Nelson of Florida, where he was introduced to various environmental issues, including the importance of red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico and the South Atlantic. Despite considering himself an urban boy, Mistler has always felt a strong connection to the ocean. This connection, coupled with his realization of the importance of ocean-related issues, led him to transition from politics to ocean conservation. In his role at Ocean Conservancy, Mistler works to connect people and organizations across the country, identifying gaps in knowledge and communication within the organization and working to fill them. He also strives to amplify the voices of local communities and stakeholders, recognizing the importance of their contributions to ocean conservation efforts. Mistler's work is driven by his passion for the ocean and his commitment to ensuring its health and sustainability for future generations.

Scope and Content Note
This interview with Adam Mistler, conducted by Katy Clark at the National Working Waterfront Symposium in Grand Rapids, Michigan, provides insight into Mistler's role as National Outreach Manager for Ocean Conservancy and his perspective on the importance of working waterfronts. Mistler discusses the challenges of engaging with people nationally to address local concerns and the importance of access to waterfronts for various communities. Mistler also shares his approach to his work, which involves connecting people and organizations, identifying gaps in knowledge and communication, and working to fill them. He discusses the importance of supporting and connecting local organizations and shares an example of how this approach has led to successful collaborations. Mistler also shares his personal journey from politics to ocean conservation and his passion for the ocean. The interview concludes with a discussion on the importance of face-to-face communication in building trust and understanding among stakeholders. This interview provides valuable insights into the work of ocean conservation and the challenges and opportunities associated with working waterfronts. Mistler attempts to engage with people nationally to make local concerns a “national chorus” through connections between people working on similar issues. He speaks about how waterfronts are connected by issues of access and highlights the importance of communicating “voice to voice.”