Storytime with The Sirene Project

1. Why do you love the ocean? 

Why wouldn’t someone love the ocean? I love its soothing, calming presence and its ability to let you explore. The ocean is stable and consistent and as someone with a type-A personality, I appreciate that.

   2. Your most memorable moment in/by the ocean?

Growing up in the Midwest, I didn’t have a lot of opportunity to be by the ocean. It wasn’t until college that I really got to experience it. The first time I went diving, I was just off the coast of Belize and when I got in the water, I looked down and it was giant and full and alive, it took my breath away. I hadn’t seen it from that perspective and it just was overwhelming in the best way.

   3. Why do you think ocean conservation is important?

The stability of the ocean supports the entire global ecosystem. As we fill it with toxins, disrupt the food web, and warm its temperatures, we will undoubtedly see changes in terrestrial systems. The answer to this question is simple. If we don’t conserve the ocean, our global ecosystem will fall apart and life will change for the worse.

   4. What concerns you most about the future of our oceans?

That one day my kids won’t get to feel the awe and overwhelming fullness that being submerged in a seemingly untouched underwater world provides. 

   5. If you could give one piece of advice to someone, to better protect our oceans, what would it be?

Be mindful; be aware of what is really included in the items you buy (not just ingredients, but unnecessary packaging, as well). Be aware of your normal, subconscious behaviors and think about how you can make those behaviors more sustainable. Make a list in your head of tasks you do every day and start there.

   6. What is your …

1. Favorite Ocean Creature: Today? A moray eel
2. Favorite thing to do by the ocean: Snorkel or dive
3. Favorite Sustainable Product:  Shampoo or conditioner bars; the first product that made me realize how easy sustainable living is

Since I can remember, I have always been aware (and anxious) about the human impact on the environment. I remember yelling at my Dad when he would turn his car on to warm up in the Ohio winter because he was polluting the environment when he could just take a blanket. Since the beginning of college, I have worked at different zoos, aquariums, labs, and nature centers around the US before landing at the Phoenix Zoo for my first regular, full-time job.  Training volunteers and educating guests on different species and global conservation issues became a real passion but when COVID shut the zoo down this spring, many of my coworkers and I got furloughed. I had been considering making a website to educate and inspire people in conservation for a while, and COVID provided me the chance. I built out content including fun facts, videos, lessons, games, sustainable living tips and tricks, conservation news, and everything else I could get done in the couple months I had.  Eventually, I returned to the zoo and edZOOcating got put on the backburner. It didn’t take me long to decide I owed it to myself, the potentially huge audience of people waiting to be inspired, and the planet to give edZOOcating a real shot. The website is focused on both terrestrial and marine conservation, emphasizing the importance of our connection to the ocean. My past experiences and jobs have taken me to and taught me all about the ocean, and now I will use edZOOcating to build that admiration for the ocean up in others. 

I am still learning and deciding what direction I want to take the website and how to make my voice most impactful. I hope with time I can inspire people, kids and adults, to open their eyes and realize how easy it is to make these changes and that we are on a clock. I hope the impact of edZOOcating makes people realize their impact.

Original Blog: The Sirene Project