Through my work I hope to inspire a deeper connection with nature.
Sometimes simply by walking and talking. Other times through writing or images. Science and knowledge can also stoke our fires.
But often what really moves people is feeling part of and touching something bigger than ourselves.
On this site I’ll share many aspects of our collaborative efforts. Some thoughts as they occur. Reactions to things happening in our changing world. And some art.
> Download my CV (academic resume) HERE
Bio:
Through field research, his work with commercial fishermen, and the time he spends in coastal villages, he encounters among people a common appreciation for the ocean’s beauty, abundance and mysteries. Nichols finds successful conservation efforts often include unexpected alliances and that there is common ground to be found between so-called “enemies” of nature.
J.’s projects and philosophy incorporates participatory science, social networking/community organizing, and creative communication to inspire a healthier relationship with the sea.
J. is author of more than fifty scientific papers, book chapters, popular articles, and reports on sea turtle ecology and ocean conservation. His efforts are featured in National Geographic, Scientific American, Time, Newsweek and other international media. He is the author of the children’s book Chelonia: Return of the sea turtle, which has been translated to Spanish and is distributed throughout Mexico to underprivileged youth. He is also co-author of the screenplay Adelita’s Journey based on the true story of one loggerhead sea turtle’s epic 24,000 km migration from Japan to Mexico and back home again. J. continues to share his research with millions of school children around the world through school and aquarium visits, field trips, the Internet and various publications and writing projects.
My hobbies: When I’m traveling or at home I greatly enjoy swimming, hiking, kayaking, trail running and getting in the ocean. I have an apparently genetic inclination toward old International Harvester trucks, which can often be found parked in the yard. Currently “fixing up” a 1958 4WD pickup, and previously a 1972 International Travelall was my trusted Baja field vehicle. I prefer eating “slow food” at our table, like Swanton berries or local organic produce and seafood. The slower the tastier—the more we know about who/how/where the food was caught or grown, the better. I always prefer to look the farmer, fisher or rancher in the eye and talk about the food we share.
Things You Don’t Know About Me: I’ve been into turtles since I was a kid. I think it grew out of my dual obsessions with dinosaurs and the ocean and was fueled by our summers near the Chesapeake Bay where we would catch snapping turtles and paint numbers on their shells. Catching them again helped us estimate how many turtles were in the creeks. When I learned that people studied ocean animals for a living, my fate was sealed. After sea turtles, I’m most fascinated by mountain lions.
Where In The World I Would Most Like To Be: I’ve seen a lot of exciting places. The central coast of California suits me well and I thrive here—I fully dig the climate, people, progressive politics and local organic food. The only other place I often wish I could be is beneath that clear, deep, warm blue ocean 30 miles offshore of Bahia Magdalena. Amazing things happen there.
