My Name is Carter Ries...
and I am a 17 year old student at Fayette County High in my senior year. For the past nine almost ten years, I have been co-running a non-profit organization called One More Generation with my sister. I have traveled throughout the U.S. and to over 10 countries around the world educating people about various issues facing this planet and the need for all of us to get involved with being the solution. In my spare time, I like to draw, and play piano along with playing goalkeeper for my varsity soccer team at my school. I have been working for Starbucks for almost two years and have enjoyed it greatly. I am also a certified lifeguard which I do during the summer months.
I have a passion for education, a passion for the environment, and a passion to work together to help others. I am confident in my abilities to produce great results no matter the situation, and I always strive for success. I will always be an advocate for the planet no matter what I do. I hope to learn more about how climate change is affecting our planet and ways that I can get involved in finding solutions. My interests also involve finance, business, and economics and I hope to work in one of those fields after graduating college. Wherever my career takes me, I plan to keep environmental concerns in the forefront of my life.
Founding OMG
One More Generation (OMG) was founded in 2009 by then 8-year-old Carter Ries and his sister, 7-year-old Olivia Ries. They are both extremely passionate about animals and conservation. Following the adoption of Cheetahs in South Africa, Carter and Olivia began to question why humans would need to adopt wild animals like the cheetah. They soon learned of the pressing issues surrounding endangered species, and knew they had to act.
Carter and Olivia started their own nonprofit in an effort to help educate children and adults about the plight of endangered species. Carter and Olivia’s intention is to preserve all species for at least One More Generation... and beyond.
Shortly after starting their organization, Carter and Olivia took action to assist marine wildlife affected by the BP Gulf Oil Spill. After spending four months collecting animal rescue supplies, the two spent five days delivering their supplies and rehabilitating marine wildlife. The two learned first hand that many animals are at risk of extinction due to environmental threats, specifically plastic pollution. Carter and Olivia proceeded to create their award-winning Plastic and Recycling Awareness Curriculum for elementary school students, which is now available nationwide for K-6 graders and is even being considered in several countries. The creation of the curriculum was the launch of their environmental conservation division.
OMG has since launched additional initiatives designed to empower youth around the world to stand up and help create solutions for the pressing issues of today. One of these initiatives is their global OneLessStraw Pledge Campaign which already has thousands of participants and over 800 like-minded organizations from around the world as partners. Plastic straws, are one of those items that most of us could live without. We can all be the solution to the problem by simply 'saying no' to plastic straws (and other single-use plastics) and either going without or getting yourself a reusable drinking straw.
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Contact
To work with Carter or inquire about public speaking and educational opportunities with him, please click to access a contact form or get in touch with Carter directly via email or phone.
(678) 972-2255