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exploring the modern world of citizen-science

filmmaker & Explorer

Follow me on my journey to document the new world of modern citizen-science and its contribution to conservation. What started as a simple beach debris survey down the coast of Washington has taken me to remote volcanic islands in the Alaskan Aleutians as well as joining the hunt for invasive species in the Salish Sea.

currently in the field

Teams Away!

Our team is currently in Costa Rica documenting the arrival of egg-laying Olive Ridley Sea Turtle. They'll be spending their evenings on Hermosa Beach filming his endangered species. Follow their updates from the field here.

Costa Rica

-- December 2019 --

Steve and Theresa will be traveling to one of the lesser-known destinations for sea turtle nesting in Costa Rica; Hermosa Beach. The fine black sand of Hermosa Beach, south of Jaco on the Central Pacific coast, is a popular nesting ground for the Olive Ridley Sea Turtles.

They’l be working with local guides to document this endangered species nesting process. Follow their updates from the field on twitter.

science

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

Mt. Iliamna Coughs Up Some Secrets

Science

Working with the team members of the Alaska Volcano Observatory team as they studied Mt. Iliamna was not only a learning experience but we walked away with new friends.

Return to Strawberry Point and Our Gray Whale

Science

Where does a dead whale go? After death, if the carcass ends up on a beach, it plays an important role in its surrounding terrestrial ecosystem.

A Sad Gray Whale of a Tail

Science

Despite the foulness riding the breeze from the south, curiosity kept us moving forward. We knew we had to be close to our target.

Sunset on Quillayute River during Halibut opener

Sun and Halibut at Toleak Beach

Science

Once again we were blessed with some outstanding weather and we had the bonus of watching the opening of Pacific Halibut and all the serious anglers heading out beyond James Island.

Another Run at Toleak Beach

Science

What’s the saying about Murphy’s Law? Weather, tide….all was in our favor I was thinking what a great day, that's when Murphy's Law kicked in.

Despite Record Snowfall A Successful Beach Survey

Science

Tides and weather are the keys to whether we have can conduct a successful bird survey. Tides are predictable; the weather has been anything but this year.

Winter Storms Creating Havoc with COASST Surveys

Science

We haven’t had quite the cold weather we usually get but the wind has been remorselessly beating up Washington and playing havoc with our attempts to get to our beach for a COASST survey

First Beach Cast Bird Found

Science

I really don’t want to think about the number of miles or the total elevation lost and gained that were traveled to find our first bird but it finally paid off with the discovery of our first bird (and second) to document for the volunteer COASST program.

up next

beauty and history abound at cape disappointment

We found ourselves off with a free weekend with no science project obligations and decided to head south to one of our favorite locations, Cape Disappointment.

A little rest and relaxation seemed in order, plus we wanted to get to know our ebikes a bit better. Having free time allowed me to focus on just how much overlapping history there really is at the Mouth of the Columbia River.