On Sunday, June 7, Project Zero launched its summer season with the Blessing of the Ocean + Beach Clean Summer Kickoff at Peter’s Pond Beach in Sagaponack. Hosted by ambassadors Alexandra Richards, Sailor Brinkley Cook, Georgia Cohen, and Kelly Brady, the event brought together members of the East End community for a morning of wellness, ocean conservation, and collective action and featured a guided ocean-blessing meditation and sound bath led by Vivian Rosenthal of Frequency Breathwork. This beach clean previewed the upcoming Hamptons fundraiser, Celebration for Coral, on August 22 at Maison Close in Southampton. Hosted by Richards and Brinkley Cook, the seated brunch and auction will support coral reef restoration and marine conservation worldwide, with proceeds from tickets benefiting Project Zero’s Coral Collective Initiative.
We asked Alexandra a few questions to learn more about Project Zero and the upcoming event.
What initially drew you to Project Zero, and what motivated you to make ocean conservation a personal mission?
I first got involved after attending a couple of events with Project Zero, where I was also DJing for the dance portions of the program. Being in that space really opened my eyes, especially because there were so many notable speakers and meaningful conversations happening around ocean conservation.
At the time, I felt like there wasn’t as much awareness as there is now, and that really pushed me to want to be part of the movement.
What really stayed with me was learning how vast and vulnerable our oceans were/are — covering over 70% of the Earth’s surface, yet still largely unprotected and under-regulated in many areas. Even today, only a small percentage is designated as protected, and enforcement in those zones can be limited. A lot of the ocean is still exposed to pollution, overfishing, and exploitation.
That combination of awareness and urgency is what really drew me in and continues to motivate me.
As I learned more about the challenges our oceans face — from pollution to habitat loss — I realized how important it is to help protect them for future generations.
Can you tell us a bit more about the organization’s mission and the projects it is currently involved in?
Project Zero is a new generation focused on fixing the world’s largest, most solvable problem — the ocean. We’re a global movement supported by renowned scientists, business leaders, celebrities, campaigners, ocean experts, and individuals from around the world, who are all working together to restore and protect the ocean.
Project Zero’s Hamptons events are bringing together local residents, businesses, and ocean advocates in support of cleaner beaches and healthier oceans.
You’ve supported Project Zero as a board member and advocate. What does your involvement look like behind the scenes?
I help produce events, and help connect like-minded people to our foundation to help us raise awareness and funds for our oceans.
Can you tell us about the dinner you have coming up on the East End?
Project Zero will return to the Hamptons this summer with Celebration for Coral, the organization’s annual fundraising benefit in support of its Coral Collective initiative dedicated to ocean conservation and coral reef protection. Taking place on August 22, this year’s event will debut a new daytime format as an elevated seated brunch hosted at Maison Close Southampton.
Our event is to help raise awareness for our collaboration with The Coral Collective. The Coral Collective is dedicated to protecting and restoring coral reefs around the world. Funds raised through this event will support a coral restoration project in Turks & Caicos, helping vulnerable reefs withstand the growing impacts of climate change while preserving marine biodiversity for future generations.
Hosted by Project Zero ambassador Sailor Brinkley Cook and myself, the Celebration for Coral will bring together the Hamptons community, philanthropic leaders, creatives, and brand partners for an afternoon supporting Project Zero’s mission to restore and protect the world’s oceans. The event will also feature a curated charity auction benefiting Project Zero’s Coral Collective initiative, offering guests the opportunity to support coral reef restoration and marine conservation efforts through exclusive experiences, artwork, and donated items. One hundred percent of ticket proceeds from the event will directly benefit Project Zero’s Coral Collective initiative and its ongoing coral reef restoration and marine conservation efforts.
As a DJ and creative professional, how do you use your platform to promote awareness of environmental issues?
I believe music has a unique way of bringing people together and creating meaningful conversations. I try to use my platform to raise awareness around environmental issues by sharing ideas about sustainability and encouraging people to think about the impact of their everyday choices.
Whether it’s through social media, events, collaborations, or creative projects, I look for opportunities to highlight causes and organizations doing important work for the environment. For me, it’s about using music and community as a way to inspire connection, awareness, and positive action in an authentic way.
How can people get involved to help the mission?
Getting involved doesn’t have to be complicated. Small actions can make a real difference when enough people take part. People can support ocean awareness by learning more about the issues facing our oceans, reducing single-use plastics, making sustainable choices in their daily lives, and supporting organizations that are doing important conservation work.
I also think sharing information in an approachable way is powerful. Whether it’s through conversations with friends, social media, community events, or creative projects, helping others connect with and appreciate our oceans can inspire positive change. The goal isn’t perfection — it’s encouraging more people to take small, meaningful steps that add up over time.
