She’s already earned a National Geographic award for her work!
For years, Mississippi’s Gulf waters have struggled to recover from devastating natural and manmade disasters. From Hurricane Katrina to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the oyster population has been hit hard. But one young trailblazer is working to change that—one oyster at a time, PBS reports.
Meet Demi Johnson, a ninth grader who is making waves in marine restoration. Recognized by the National Geographic Society for her work, Demi grew over 1,000 oysters, which are expected to spawn millions more in the years to come. Demi said the simple idea actually came from her Girl Scout leader.
“So there’s a thing called a Silver Award, and you have to do a project for your community, something community-based,” Demi explained. “She just kind of put it up in the air. She was like, ‘Hey, you can do oyster gardening at my pier.’ And I was like, okay, I’ll do it. It doesn’t sound too bad. And you know, it’s something easy for me to do.”
What started as a Girl Scout project quickly grew into a passion. Demi learned that oyster gardening isn’t just about growing oysters for consumption—it’s about restoring habitats. Oysters act as natural filters in the water and provide a home for more than 300 species.
“I think the coolest thing I’ve learned is that oysters actually serve as a filter in the water. I did not know that,” Demi said. “And they actually can serve as a home to over 300 species in the water. So that’s just typical.”
Demi’s oyster-growing process involves placing oysters in cages, securing them to a pier, and performing weekly maintenance.
“Honestly, when it comes to maintaining or taking care of them, once a week is fine,” she shared. “Just shake the cages and get the critters out because they are seen as a food source to other animals. Once I’m done with the oyster gardening, they are dumped out into another area, and they start to become their own reef.”
Her dedication caught the attention of a researcher at Auburn University, who has since become her mentor.
“When I first started oyster gardening, I had no clue about this. I only thought oysters could be eaten. I didn’t know they could be used for restoration,” Demi admitted. “So I was able to learn a lot through her. And she was able to keep in contact with me. I’ve been able to learn more and more, and more opportunities have been given to me.”
As her project grows, so does her ambition. Demi is set to expand from five cages to nine this oyster season. Looking ahead, she sees a future in environmental advocacy.
“I want to attend the University of Michigan and specifically major in environmental law. Once I’m done with that career-wise, I want to represent environmental groups.”
Demi Johnson is proof that age is no barrier to making a difference. With her commitment to oyster restoration, she’s not only helping to rebuild Mississippi’s marine ecosystem but also inspiring a new generation of young environmentalists.
Cover photo: Meet Demi Johnson, the Teen Scientist Helping Restore Oyster Reefs in Mississippi/Photo credit: WLOX News