Antarctic expedition 2023 with the Oceanites’ Research Team
Antarctic expedition 2023 with the Oceanites’ Research Team
Oceanites, founded by Ron Naveen, is the world’s only publicly-supported nonprofit research program monitoring the vastly warmed Antarctic Peninsula. In 2023, Wayne was invited to join the research team as they ventured into the Antarctic onboard the Viking Octantis to pilot test the use of thermal and 3D imagery of penguin colonies as a supplement to traditional counting methodologies. in this episode, Wayne provides an inside look at the challenges and risks these researchers face as they continually update the research community and policy makers on the threats facing the Peninsula.
Organizer
Wayne is of the firm belief that you are never too old to make a contribution to science and conservation nor does one often need to be a formal scientist to participate. Born in a small rural community in Newfoundland, instilled in him the passion for nature. As an avid naturalist, birder, kayaker, and wilderness hiker for over 40 years, Wayne has adapted to find ways to participate in conservation initiatives in diverse ways. Since retiring from a very successful career as Chief Operating Officer for a large Toronto based real estate development company, he decided to return to his passion for nature and returned to university to complete a Masters in Environmental Studies at York University in Toronto, Canada.
His focus on conservation policy related to the environmental impacts on seabirds off Newfoundland, Canada has resulted in him being asked to undertake speaking engagements on conservation policy to a number of key organizations in Canada such as Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, Birds Canada and the Toronto Ornithological Club, among others. Wayne continued his passion for nature by volunteering with his son and daughter-in-law to pilot test the use of advanced drones for penguin population research in Antarctica. As a part of the 2022-2023 Oceanites science team studying penguin populations on the Antarctic Peninsula, he was embedded into the Viking Octantis cruise ship Expedition Team. Science teams often use cruise ships to access the Antarctic and in return provide services-in-kind such as onboard lecturing, naturalists, expedition guides, etc. Wayne has gained added insights into research and the challenges faced in accessing these remote areas. His additional hobbies have included the martial arts, where he holds blackbelts in three differing martial arts styles, winter camping, ocean kayaking, and stained glass involving nature-based themes.