Blog
Conservation Corner: Rethinking Our Shopping Habits
We’ve been hearing a lot lately about how we can reduce our impact on the planet in every-day ways, like refusing a plastic straw when visiting a restaurant, but one thing we don’t often think of when we hear the word sustainable is the clothing we wear. One way that we can make a positive, simple change is to rethink the way that we purchase clothing.... READ MORE
Volunteer Spotlight: Lauren Stovall
You might recognize this month’s Volunteer Spotlight – Lauren Stovall from one of our many community outreach events throughout the year. Learn more about one of our incredible supporters who truly believes in sharing her passion for the ocean with others to create a better future for our blue planet!... READ MORE
Out of the Classroom, Into the Field: Belize Expedition
Underwater baited cameras, plankton tows, coral transects, and laser photogrammetry devices made up only a portion of the scientific apparatus aboard the Belize Aggressor III, where Kent Denver students performed hands-on citizen science on a recent youth research expedition.... READ MORE
Creature Feature: Great White Sharks
A massive Great White Shark appeared off the coast of Hawaii a few weeks ago and researchers identified her as “Deep Blue” a shark that was previously filmed and tagged thousands of miles away in Guadalupe Island off Mexico.... READ MORE
Ocean Conservation in Colorado?
This is one of the main questions asked at Ocean First Institute community outreach events. While there is quite some distance from the mountains of Colorado to the ocean shorelines, it is easy to forget the interconnectedness of the world’s waterways. Our actions in Colorado affect marine life all across the globe.... READ MORE
Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) Symposium: The Ocean is Calling
Did you know that the first female four-star general of the Air Force went to school for engineering? Not only that, but General Janet Wolfenbarger earned two Master of Science degrees. Talk about a role model! How about Rosie the Riveter – did you know that women went to work in manufacturing during World War II? Ms. Mae Krier stepped up to support the war effort and built aircraft. How cool is it that she can say that she built a B-17 Flying Fortress? Ladies: there are no limits to what you can achieve because of the many women like these two who have paved the way.... READ MORE
Ocean First Institute Receives Sea of Change Foundation Grant for Shark and Ray Research in Costa Rica
In an on-going effort to support marine conservation across the scuba diving community, the Sea of Change Foundation is pleased to support the Ocean First Institute’s shark and ray conservation project in Costa Rica.... READ MORE
Dreamer Scholars Take A Virtual Trip to the Ocean!
Through a partnership with the “I Have a Dream” Foundation of Boulder County, Ocean First Institute visited with students from Columbine Elementary over four weeks to connect the scholars with marine life and issues facing our planet today. Students were able to touch real shark jaws, dissect albatross boluses, and even go on virtual dives through the waters of Indonesia!... READ MORE
Dr. Mikki McComb-Kobza and Ocean First Institute Receive National Recognition!
Congratulations go to our Executive Director, Dr. Mikki McComb-Kobza, on receiving the Blue Friend of the Year Award! This was Loggerhead Marine Life Center’s Ninth Annual Go Blue Award Luncheon, recognizing businesses, nonprofits, and individuals who have promoted, implemented, or contributed to a “Blue” lifestyle of marine conservation.... READ MORE
Scientists Investing in Education and a Better Future
Over the past three years, Ocean First Institute (OFI) has helped over 3,000 local youth discover the wonders of our ocean. From virtual SCUBA diving to dissections, from local community action projects to mock field research exercises, scientists with OFI have given students the opportunity to explore the fields of marine science & conservation right here in the mountains of Colorado.... READ MORE