“I remembered my first feelings of the ocean were centered around fear that the ocean would sweep me away. I enjoyed standing on the bluffs above the pounding surf at the Sea Ranch looking out into the deep blue sea but I rarely wanted to venture down to the water line.
But something shifted as I remember being mesmerized while watching the harbor seals playing in the surf below and soon I developed a love of tide pooling and learning all about ocean animals.”
-Holly Lohuis
Job summary and/or description of your work/research:
I work as a marine educator for a few different organizations. For over 25 years I worked with Jean-Michel Cousteau and his marine conservation organization, Ocean Futures Society, working as an expedition diver and marine scientist, producing documentaries about the wonders and fragility of our oceans. I love working as a naturalist for Island Packers, boat concessionaire to the Channel Island National Park and as a marine educator with Santa Barbara Maritime Museum. These experiences have inspired me to help communicate the critical connection between healthy oceans and sustainable human communities. With a passion in marine education, I love promoting the importance of ocean conservation and sustainable practices to protect marine ecosystems and the species inhabiting them. As the Co-Director of the newly designated Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area, my hope is to inspire communities to engage in marine stewardship and appreciate the profound beauty and importance of our ocean’s giants.
What do you enjoy most about your work/research:
I have always loved sharing my personal experiences of diving the world’s oceans and exploring the local outdoors in hopes of enticing people to seek their own personal connection to the natural environment and the ocean. What I especially enjoy is then seeing people develop a desire to work hard in the protection of our oceans and wilderness areas.
Inspiration:
I have always loved all animals from a very young age, thanks to my mom and dad who taught me compassion for all creatures. In 5th grade I wrote a report on “What I want to be when I grow up,” and it was about the amazing work of Dr. Sylvia Earle and her deep sea exploration. That is when I knew I wanted to be an ocean explorer, marine biologist. Dr. Sylvia Earle continues to be such an important and influential role model for me. I used one of her inspiring quotes in my TEDx talk: “The next 10 years may be the most important for our species to have the best chance in the next 10,000 years to protect what remains of the natural systems that give us life.” And one of my childhood dreams came true when I was able to go diving with her in Cozumel a couple of years ago.