Ecotourism
My inspiration for The Greenest Blue started with my work in ecotourism. It’s the part of the tourism industry that is centered around the natural environment and wildlife. For a seasonal guide like myself, that’s meant moving regularly to work in various marine environments depending on the time of year that tourists frequent that area.I love it because it provides a perfect opportunity to connect guests with some incredible parts of the natural world, while also building upon my own experiences and learning more about conservation efforts in other countries.
By experiencing marine megafauna firsthand in their natural habitat, people can better develop a sense of purpose and connection with conservation. They want to protect these animals that they are encountering; they see them, they connect the animals’ well being with our own lifestyle decisions, and conservation suddenly becomes more personal. Emotions can spark change.
Marine megafauna have captivated humanity for centuries. There’s a reason for it - their world is so different, and yet we have so much in common with our oceanic friends. Our mutual survival as different species is dependent on the ocean’s health. I love being able to see the joy light up guests’ eyes when they swim with a dusky dolphin, or see a humpback whale breach, or watch a shark glide past the boat. Below, you’ll find the marine environments I have experienced and worked in around the world. I hope the list continues to grow.
Research
After 7 years or work in the tourism industry, I was ready for a change. Seasonal life was wearing me down, as much as I loved the travel and experiences. I had a new perspective on the state of the oceans; I now felt an obligation to go back to school. I had learned so much from my time interacting with people on the water, but my anxiety and stress levels were rising. I felt I wasn’t doing enough. I was tired of having the same conversations. I felt I had more to give. And I felt a pull to go back and prove to myself that I was capable of rising to the challenge.
I’m now a PhD student at the University of California at Santa Cruz. I am in Dr. Ari Friedlaender’s Lab, studying marine mammal ecology under the broader umbrella department of Ocean Sciences. It’s been quite a whirlwind, which you’ll read about on the blog. But I want to share my story of what it means to be a grad student in the field of marine mammals, and all the joys and heartaches that come with the role. Head over to the Biotelemetry and Behavioral Ecology website to check out what’s going on.
Here’s me in August 2022, up in the Aleutian Islands on a cruise with Hurtigruten Expeditions. We partner with them for our research operations.
The Ocean Conservation Crisis
Every single person in our world today is impacted by the ocean. Many get lost in its beauty and feel a sense of peace when they wander its diverse shores or jump into its sparkling depths. Others directly obtain their livelihood from the sea through fishing or other forms of obtaining food. Some of us spend hours admiring the beautiful animals that call it home (come whale watch with me!). But issues like overfishing, waste mismanagement, and changing ocean conditions are wreaking havoc on this massive ecosystem.
We need the ocean to breathe. Our survival is tied to its health. If there's one little thing I can do to give back an ounce of what the ocean has given to me, I want to do it! For now, that involves maintaining this blog to hopefully bring awareness and inspire others to join and continue this conservation journey with me.
Recent Posts in Marine Conservation
GREEN MADE EASY
Going green doesn’t have to be scary, hard, or overwhelming. Take it one step at a time with me. I’m providing easy, attainable suggestions for actions you can take each week to make a difference. Start today!
Places I've Been
Traveling can be so enriching for our souls, but depending on how we go about it, it can also be damaging to our beautiful planet. I’m on a mission to try and make my own travels as eco-friendly as possible. Jump into this world with me as I experiment with a greener lifestyle.
Create your own visited countries map or check out the JavaScript Charts.
Recent Posts in Travel & Adventure
