Video is an extremely effective means by which to educate and motivate people. I enjoy making thought provoking short films that inspire people to understand, care for, and protect our blue planet.

In need of someone to help bring your ocean science, ocean conservation initiative, or ocean focused product to life through film?                 I am here to help! Send me an email at allisonfortheocean[@]gmail.com to discuss ideas, options, and details today.

Exploring Deepwater Ecosystems with eDNA highlights a team of ocean scientists and engineers from Lehigh University and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution who are developing revolutionary new ways to study the biodiversity of deepwater ecosystems – with eDNA. eDNA, or environmental DNA, is free-floating genetic material that organisms leave behind in the water column, an almost invisible sign of their presence. Aboard NOAA research vessel the R/V Manta, eDNA was filtered and collected from seawater in the deep Gulf of Mexico, near Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. With the use of eDNA as a more effective and less disruptive methodology, these scientists are unlocking the secrets of the deep ocean, and the incredible variety of animals that live there, one drop of seawater at a time.

Jewels of the Gulf: What is a deep sea coral? answers exactly that in relation to research being done in the deep sea Gulf of Mexico by scientists studying the continued impacts of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill on these beautiful deep sea corals and their surrounding ecosystems. This is part 1 of a 3-part video series I produced in collaboration with ECOGIG to help communicate their important research to the public. To watch the other two videos visit www.ecogig.org. All non-ROV footage was acquired by me, the Outreach Specialist, during the Jewels of the Gulf deep sea expedition in June 2017.

Antarctic SeaScience Expedition gives you a peek into the world of deep sea exploration, ocean science, and Antarctic adventure.  Visit poletopolescience.blogspot.com to learn more about this epic research expedition with collaborating institutions: Florida Institute of Technology, University of Alabama Birmingham, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and University of Southampton.

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Hundreds of these leopard sharks (triakis semifasciata) aggregate in the shallow waters of La Jolla Shores Beach in the summer and fall every year. Scripps Institution of Oceanography researcher Dr. Andy Nosal found that 97% of these La Jolla leopard sharks are actually female, most of which are pregnant. They “hang out” in this very specific location because the water is in fact a few degrees warmer here than anywhere else along the coastline. This warmer water helps them to incubate their developing pups. I had the opportunity to help study these beautiful sharks, as well as educate the public about them for four summers. As very docile bottom feeders, they provide an excellent opportunity for people to have positive experiences with sharks in the wild. This helps to break down negative perceptions of sharks, ultimately leading to more compassion towards global shark populations in decline. This short film invites viewers to dive in and explore the world of the incredible leopard shark.

As an Interpretive Educator at Birch Aquarium in summer of 2012, 2013, and 2014, my main role was to help plan, execute, and manage all Shark Summer activities. In doing so, I was influential in training, mentoring, and managing twenty high-school age students for the Youth Summer Internship. The interns are highly instrumental in facilitating information about sharks to visitors in order to promote education and possibly change people’s perceptions of sharks by highlighting their diversity, lifestyle, and characteristics. I produced and directed this informational film documenting all of the amazing activities and experiences that make up the Youth Summer Internship. It is being used by Birch Aquarium as marketing material for interested applicants. It is currently on Birch Aquarium’s website and on their YouTube channel.

“A World of Plastic”.  The message is short and sweet. Plastic pollution is a global issue that is having devastating effects on our ocean and its inhabitants.  For the preservation of our ocean, our world, and ourselves, we must all make changes to stop plastic pollution.  Visit PlasticPollutionCoalition.org to learn more about plastic pollution and how you can do your part to reduce it!

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“An Estuary’s Story” is a documentary film about the complex situation surrounding the St. Lucie River Estuary in South Florida. Discharges of freshwater, toxic algae, and excess nutrients from Lake Okeechobee into the St. Lucie have resulted in a drastic decline in the health of the estuary and the organisms that inhabit it. This film describes the history of the situation and the reasons behind why these destructive discharges are occurring today.

The film’s two main goals are education and motivation. The more the public is educated about the topic, the more they will be motivated to promote and create positive change to restore the natural flow and natural health of not only the St. Lucie River Estuary, but the entire water flow system of south Florida, as well as marine and estuarine ecosystems across the globe that are also in crisis.

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