Mario Ordoñez-Calderón co-founded Un Mar De Colores a 501(c)3 non-profit that increases coastal access by providing surf therapy, environmental education, and long term mentorship to underserved youth in San Diego, California. The genesis of Un Mar came from a personal journey of connection with nature and the ocean. Mario recognized the transformative power of the ocean and sought to pass on this experience to future generations. Since its inception, Un Mar De Colores has been dedicated to inspiring inclusivity and celebrating diversity through surf therapy and culturally informed environmental education. The organization aims to teach the importance of protecting coastal watersheds, oceans, and marine life by combining the joy of wave catching with sense of belonging. Un Mar De Colores ultimately serves as a platform for building courage and resilience in young students lives.

Mario, as a social and environmental justice advocate, has served on Encinitas Equity City Council and currently is serving as an advisor for Environmental Justice to Californias Ocean Protection Council, a Cabinet-level state body that works jointly with state and federal agencies, NGOs, tribes and the public to ensure that California maintains healthy, resilient, and productive ocean and coastal ecosystems.