In the latest episode of 'Rising Tide, the Ocean Podcast,' hosts David Helvarg and Vicki Nichols Goldstein of the Inland Ocean Coalition interview Dr. Drew Harvell, an esteemed professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at Cornell University. The discussion delves into the recent breakthrough in identifying the bacteria responsible for sea star wasting disease, which has decimated starfish populations and kelp forests on the West Coast. Dr. Harvell reveals her journey into marine biology, highlights her research on marine ecosystem health, and discusses her influential books, including 'A Sea of Glass' and 'The Ocean's Menagerie.' Dr. Harvell emphasizes the impact of pathogen pollution on marine life, the interconnectedness of human and environmental health, and the therapeutic potential of marine organisms. The episode underscores the critical need for better ocean management and the role of art in translating scientific knowledge to foster public interest and understanding.

** Links & Resources **

Catherine Drew Harvell of Cornell: https://ecologyandevolution.cornell.edu/catherine-drew-harvell

Check out her books, Sea of Glass (https://a.co/d/41kufFg), Ocean Outbreak (https://a.co/d/ihQpRi5), and her latest Ocean's Menagerie (https://a.co/d/0R5dK53)

Blaschka Glass Collection: https://digital.library.cornell.edu/collections/blaschka

World Bank Project: https://projects.worldbank.org/en/projects-operations/projects-home

Blue Frontier: bluefront.org

Building the solution-based citizen movement needed to protect our ocean, coasts and communities, both human and wild.

Blue Frontier on Substack: https://davidhelvarg.substack.com/

Inland Ocean Coalition: inlandoceancoalition.org

Building land-to-sea stewardship - the inland voice for ocean protection

Fluid Studios: fluidstudios.org

Thinking radically different about the collective good, our planet, & the future.

The latest episode of Rising Tide: The Ocean Podcast features a conversation with Kirsten Donald, a marine mammal biologist, educator, and ocean advocate with the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach, California. This renowned rescue center responds to whales and dolphins in distress while rehabilitating and releasing hundreds of sick and injured seals and sea lions each year.

Before joining the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, Kirsten spent 18 years at the Dolphin Research Center in the Florida Keys, where she also co-founded and directed the College of Marine Mammal Professions.

Learn about the current state of marine mammals, the impacts of climate change, and challenges facing gray whales. Kirsten shares memorable release stories—including a group of sea lion pups who checked in on each other before re-entering the ocean—and discusses why now is the time to strengthen, not weaken, marine mammal protection.

** Links & Resources **

Pacific Marine Mammal Center

It’s Time To Save The Whales Again

Blue Frontier: Building the solution-based citizen movement needed to protect our ocean, coasts and communities, both human and wild.

Blue Frontier on Substack

Inland Ocean Coalition: Building land-to-sea stewardship - the inland voice for ocean protection

Fluid Studios: Thinking radically different about the collective good, our planet, & the future.