Tag: ocean conservation

Dreams DO Come True!

by theconservationkid

Last week, I had the amazing opportunity to see my hard work pay off. My friend and mentor, Jim Abernethy took me to his underwater playground which is Tiger Beach, Bahamas.

Jim Abernethy is an award-winning author, photographer, cinematographer and conservationist who pioneered shark encounters without a cage. Starting at a young age, scuba diving served as an inspiration for his life’s mission as a conservationist.

His award-winning marine life images are often featured in the world’s top nature magazines.  His incredible expedition clients include many of the world’s top nature filmmakers and magazines such as Imax, National Geographic, BBC Wildlife, Animal Planet, and Discovery Channel.

Jim and I share a love for scuba diving as well as sharks. I had the immense opportunity to go see where he spends most of his time. This trip was all because of my hard work and conservation initiatives. It is true, hard work pays off. This is an experience I will always cherish.

World Oceans Day

by theconservationkid

Every year on June 8, the world comes together to celebrate World Oceans Day. Our oceans are in trouble. If there’s a place I’m happiest, besides the river, it’s at the ocean. Water is life! Our oceans are a huge carbon sink, but also supplies the world with oxygen, more than the rainforests!

I have had the opportunity to enjoy time underwater as a certified scuba diver and that’s where I feel the most peace. Whether I’m diving with sharks, turtles, octopus or stingrays, the feeling is incredible!

Rivers are Life

by theconservationkid

I have consistently said when I “grow up” I want to do photography & cinematography. I have been filmed several times and I love the process of sharing about conservation and wildlife. Cinematography is such an amazing way to share a message to a larger broader audience. Check out this new film I am in with Rivers are Life!

Earth Day!

by theconservationkid

Last week, we celebrated Earth Day. I’m not sure what you did but here’s a little glimpse into what my week looked like! First, I had to plan because I knew I was going to busy.

Tuesday, I went to my nearest national park which overlooks the Tennessee River. It’s such a beautiful spot to enjoy and see exactly what I’m fighting for.

Wednesday, I went to Arrowhead Resort in Spring city, Tennessee to place 4 monofilament bins. Spoke to their owner/manager and had a very productive meeting. Later in the day I did an interview about rivers and pollution with ABC news live.

Thursday, I placed another monofilament bin at Booker T. Washington state park. I also met with my local chapter of trout unlimited and am working with them to place 8-10 more monofilament bins in heavily fished areas.

Friday, I spoke to the biology and wildlife club at University of Tennessee Chattanooga (UTC) about my work and how every person can do something to improve the world around them for ourselves and our wildlife. After this, I went to CMC recycling which is where I recycle all of my aluminum to fund my monofilament project. (This turned out to be an awesome trip, my mom won a super cool griddle/grill after their guessing game)

Saturday was officially EARTH DAY! there was so much we could have done and joined on cleanups with other groups but by then I was pretty worn out so we went to another recycling center just to drop off a few bags of plastics for recycling then we did a family cleanup.

It was a busy week and things haven’t really slow brown and that’s ok. Keeping the motivation going to help keep our planet clean is exciting. I’ll post the link to the ABC interview below.

https://abcnews.go.com/US/video/earth-week-meet-teenager-helping-save-rivers-oceans-98699410

SEWE 2023

by theconservationkid

Over the weekend, I had the great honor of not only attending SEWE (Southeastern Wildlife Exposition) but, introducing one of my heroes in wildlife conservation, Forrest Galante!

Being invited to such an event is inspiring on its own, but being able to meet and introduce a hero of mine and a person who has devoted his life to conservation is such an experience.

Weekends like this, when people want to hear what I have to say and know my voice matters, keeps me motivated to keep making changes and improving the world around me.

Clean up success!

by theconservationkid

Last weekend I hosted a cleanup for the new year. It was a great time meeting new people who care about our environment and our planet. We removed a little over 550 pounds.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=u2KmLBbhcNE&feature=share&fbclid=IwAR1COulVjDDxiqdTkmjzFmwFk3yE7Ab0hlRRgJYEJ9cMfCy6bcVOQtEGX4o

Travel

by theconservationkid

If there’s one thing I love, it’s travel. I just had the amazing opportunity to visit Costa Rica and it was wonderful. This small country is touted for its conservation efforts over years past but now, it’s a slightly different story. While their land conservation seems to be extremely important to their people, the ocean is less looked after.

Just a week before I left, CITIES was in session and Costa Rica voted against the shark proposal. This is sad considering ecotourism is a huge amount of their income. Why are sharks still looked down upon? Why are we still not stepping up for these eco warriors who we literally depend on to keep ecosystems healthy in our oceans?

I would go back, but I hope people keep fighting for conservation, not only in Costa Rica but across the globe.

Shark kill tournament

by theconservationkid

After my last post, several people asked for more information. He is a little more about what I have learned. Not only are adults seeking out and killing as many sharks as possible but I have also learned someone is sponsoring kids and offering a cash prize for children!

Why are children being encouraged and taught this is ok? When in reality it’s a travesty.

https://www.wpbf.com/article/shark-fishing-tournament-catching-heat-florida/40478087

Shark Tournament

by theconservationkid

I’m a few weeks on July 9th, if nothing is done, there will be a trophy tournament in Jupiter, Florida for sharks.

Over 250 species of shark are labeled as endangered, critically endangered, vulnerable or data deficient. That means we don’t know enough about them to say whether or not they are at risk of extinction yet.

This is so disheartening to know that some of these species will be killed for sport. They will be slaughtered, and while on the brink of extinction, it’s legal. How does this make sense? It doesn’t.

Please hope by signing this petition to get this senseless killing stopped. Fishing for food is not a terrible thing but this is sport. This is completely unnecessary and sickening. Our planet depends on species like sharks to maintain a healthy ecosystem.

https://www.change.org/p/help-cancel-shark-killing-tournament-in-jupiter-florida

World Oceans Day

by theconservationkid

Today, June 8th, is World Oceans Day. This is a day set aside to celebrate our ocean and it’s amazing biodiverse ecosystems. Oceans provide about 70% of the planets oxygen. Our blue planet needs help now more than ever. We just protect our oceans, land, and rivers. Without it, lire on land will cease to exist. Diving and being in the water, is my happy place. I was scuba certified when I was 10. I couldn’t wait to explore below the waves and see the animals I love in their natural habitat.