January 19, 2016
People ask me why I moved from the sunny beaches of South Florida to the snow-capped Rocky Mountains of Colorado to write marine science curriculum. And with good reason. Who would leave the warm, salty sea air and 24-7 access to the Atlantic Ocean for, gasp, winter!?! To be honest, it was an easy decision to make. Everyone has something to learn about the ocean – everyone. That desire for information is even more powerful when the ocean and all of its creatures are harder to reach. When home is a landlocked state, the mysteries of the ocean and all of its creatures become magnified, making them even more interesting. The need to learn more about all things marine becomes insatiable, almost feverish. And I’m more than happy to help quench that desire for information.
Have you ever seen a room full of high school students question the merits of diving with sharks, dolphins, or sea turtles? They’re excited about it. They want to know more about it and what they can do to experience it too. It’s reassuring to know they still have that inherent curiosity so often reserved for “little” kids. Talking about marine science to students who aren’t able to step out of their door and see it for themselves adds a fresh intensity to my desire to share it. Nothing like having an attentive audience when you’re talking about your passion!
Not only is the interest and desire to learn more about the ocean ramped up due to the geographical distance, there seems to me to be a more tangible connection between these landlocked people and the ocean. It’s almost as if being so far from it has created a stronger connection to it. In the same way they understand how the water from the Rockies is necessary to life here and beyond, they are also aware of how their actions impact the sea. In little things from recycling and composting to politely discouraging the use of plastic bags or straws, there is a clear recognition of how their actions here, far from the ocean, have a global impact. It’s inspiring, and for someone who just moved here from the sandy beaches of Florida, something I can get on board with.
Now to schedule in a visit to the salty blue and life will be grand!
