“There’s a saying that if you see it, you can be it. That’s the power of representation to expand young people’s perceptions of what they can achieve.”
-Penny Owens, 2022.
Job summary and/or description of your work/research:
I lead Channelkeeper’s education programs, which includes working with students to conduct water quality monitoring activities in local streams. I also manage Channelkeeper’s single-use plastic reduction initiative and their citizen science MPA Watch program, which trains volunteers to observe and collect data on human uses of coastal and marine resources both inside and outside of marine protected areas.
What do you enjoy most about your work/research:
One of the aspects of my job that I enjoy most is that it’s a combination of science, policy, and education. Channelkeeper’s focus to protect and restore our waterways and ocean is based locally, but we are part of a larger network of Waterkeeper organizations that work to protect and restore waterways throughout California, the country, and globally as well. I like that I get to work locally to make a difference in protecting our waterways and ocean but am also part of a larger effort. Channelkeeper is honored to participate in the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum’s Girls in Ocean Science Conference, and we are excited both to share our experiences with marine science and technology and help young women explore their own career paths in ocean science. We believe that connecting students with powerful women in this field will inspire the next generation of female scientists and empower them to solve some of the environment’s most pressing issues.
Inspiration:
I was fortunate to grow up in a family that was enthusiastic about the outdoors and supported my interest in the natural world. In the marine science field, I have always had great respect and admiration for Dr. Sylvia Earle. Not only did she serve as chief scientist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and as an explorer in residence with National Geographic, but she was one of the first underwater researchers and explorers (female or male), and she is still dedicated to protecting and conserving our oceans to this day, even at 89 years old.