Home - Essex Media & Explorations

exploring the modern world of citizen-science

filmmaker & Explorer

Follow me on my journey to document the modern world of citizen-science and its contribution to conservation. I’ve participated in field work from remote islands off the coast of Alaska to the jungles of Costa Rica. I invited you to share my passions.

fieldwork

THERE’S A REVOLUTION HAPPENING IN SCIENCE. AND NOW, MORE THAN EVER, YOU CAN BE PART OF IT.

The Timber Tracking Project, was originally all set to go forward this spring, but we all know what happened instead; collecting was suspended due to the COVID-19 crisis.

However, permits have been cleared for this summer and we’ll be out sampling practicing the best kind of social distancing.

Now it’s all about looking at topo maps and choosing collection zones.

Follow our updates from the field on twitter.

timber tracking

-- July 2020 --

The outdoor community is well positioned to collect tree tissue samples from far-flung locations on a large scale across each species’ geographic range. Hiking, mountain biking, backcountry skiing, rock climbing, whitewater kayaking, and other activities bring our volunteers to places few others venture.

This information will power new tools to reveal the origin of any sample of timber––taking away illegal loggers’ ability to sneak poached trees into the world’s wood supply.

science

THERE’S A REVOLUTION HAPPENING IN SCIENCE. AND NOW, MORE THAN EVER, YOU CAN BE PART OF IT.

A New Twist to Our Toleak Survey

Science

With our trailer out of commission for the time being we decided to do our Toleak Survey with a twist and camp on the beach.

Harbor Porpoise Found on Toleak Beach

Science

We’ve been surveying this section of the Washington coast for approximately two years. We do it year-round every month and in every kind of weather; wind storms, rain, and snow.

Fieldwork for COASST Bird Surveys Resumes

Science

With a bit of creative problem solving we’ve gotten back out in the field to conduct our COASST fieldwork.

COVID-19 And The Last Beached Bird Survey?

Science

So just what are we to do with our citizen-science projects when COVID-19 derails the best-laid plans?

Costa Rica: Whimbrel

Science

Compared to the other shorebirds on Jaco Beach that morning this Whimbrel seemed enormous, and yet he had the coordination of a ballerina.

Costa Rica: Postman Butterfly

Science

Another one of Costa Rica’s colorful butterflies is the Postman Butterfly. We saw them on a frequent basis around our villa. It was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae.

Costa Rica: Blue-gray Tanager

Science

While staying in the La Fortuna area of Costa Rica, we were walking back to the hotel when we heard this incredible bird song emanating from a dense tree. It was full of colorful Blue-Gray Tanager singing their hearts out.

Costa Rica: Rufous-naped Wren

Science

Every morning we’d hear a Roufous-naped Wren outside our villa. He liked to sit on the power line and sing his heart out, I’m assuming he was hopeful for a mate, but maybe he just enjoyed hearing himself.

up next

toleak beach survey short film

I’m putting together a short clip on our recent COASST survey on Toleak Beach where we decided to camp on the beach the night before in order to catch the early morning tide.

We had unusual sunny clear skies for that weekend; something of a rarity during our Pacific Northwest winters. I’ll try getting it online as soon as possible , but with the holiday season on us, please be patient.