There’s a lot of talk these days about ocean conservation, especially what’s going wrong, what’s at risk and what needs fixing.
But every now and then you run into something that reminds you where the real solution starts. It doesn’t start offshore. It doesn’t start in a lab. It starts with understanding.
That’s what stood out most in my conversation with Jessica Harvey, CEO of the Guy Harvey Foundation. What they’re doing is rooted in something simple but incredibly powerful: if people understand the ocean, they begin to value it. And when they value it, everything else changes.
“The core mission is to help inspire the communities to value their oceans—and you can’t do that without education,” she said.
That word inspire is important. Because what they’re building isn’t just an information hub. It’s a starting point.
And they’ve built it in a way that’s different from most.
They don’t separate science from creativity.
Click here to listen to our full interview with Jessica Harvey here.
“We combine science and art together…to help do that,” Jessica explained, describing how Guy Harvey’s work becomes a way to “illustrate the connectivity, the dynamics, the beauty, the value of what’s in our oceans.”
That approach matters. Because long before someone understands ecosystems, fisheries, or climate systems, something has to catch their attention. Art does that. It stops people, pulls them in, and gets them asking questions. From there, education has somewhere to go.
One of the biggest challenges in ocean conservation is that for a lot of people, the ocean feels distant—or unfamiliar.
“How can you really care about something if you’ve never seen it?” Harvey said.
So instead of waiting for people to find the ocean, the foundation has made a conscious effort to bring the ocean to them.
They’ve developed a growing online educational platform built to reach classrooms and families.
“We developed resources…for K–12, marine enthusiasts, and both formal and informal educators,” she said.
And one of the most important parts of that approach is accessibility.
“It’s free,” Harvey said.
That removes a major barrier. It means teachers don’t have to stretch already thin budgets. It means parents can introduce their kids to ocean science without worrying about cost. It means anyone with curiosity can step in and start learning.
The goal is simple: make ocean education easy to reach, easy to use, and available to anyone who wants to learn.
And once someone steps in, the focus shifts to engagement.
“We try through our educational opportunities to bring in simulations or activities that help encourage folks to get outdoors,” she said.
That’s where the connection deepens. Because learning about the ocean isn’t just about absorbing information. It’s also about seeing how it connects to the world around you, whether that’s a coastline, a bay, a river, or even something as simple as the water system in your own community.
Art continues to play a central role in that process.
“What art does is that it goes beyond boundaries—it goes beyond language—it goes beyond your experiences,” Harvey said.
That’s a big deal. It means someone doesn’t have to come from a scientific background to engage with marine science. It means learning can happen visually, creatively, and intuitively. It opens the door wider.
At the same time, the foundation is looking beyond just sparking interest—they’re helping people see where that interest can lead.
They’re building out a marine career series to highlight the wide range of roles connected to the ocean.
“We have a marine career series to showcase marine-related careers,” she said, noting that opportunities extend far beyond traditional paths.
That’s important. Because when someone begins to care about the ocean, the next step is often figuring out how to be part of it. By showing different pathways—whether in science, conservation, industry, or communication—they’re helping people see that there’s a place for them in this space.
All of this is grounded in a bigger picture understanding of why the ocean matters.
“The ocean provides a lot of the oxygen we breathe…it helps regulate our climate…it supports biodiversity,” she a said.
That’s not distant or abstract. That’s fundamental.
And it connects everyone, no matter where they live.
That perspective widens the audience. It reinforces the idea that ocean conservation isn’t limited to coastal communities. It’s something everyone is connected to, whether they realize it or not. What stands out most in all of this is the tone. It’s not built on urgency alone. It’s built on possibility.
“If there is a species or an animal that you’re excited about, find out about it…that can be the doorway to an amazing world,” she said.
That’s how it begins. One point of curiosity. One connection.
From there, it builds.
What the Guy Harvey Foundation is doing is creating those entry points—making it easy for people to step into ocean science, connect with it, and keep going. They’re not just sharing information. They’re building understanding.
And when people understand the ocean, they start to care.
That’s where everything changes.
Click here to access the free educational resources from the Guy Harvey Foundation.
Chester Moore
Follow Chester Moore and Higher Calling Wildlife® on the following social media platforms
@gulfgreatwhitesharksociety on Instagram
@thechestermoore on Instagram
Higher Calling Wildlife on Facebook
Email Chester at chester@chestermoore.com.
Subscribe to the Dark Outdoors podcast on all major podcasting platforms.
Leave a Reply