Marine Science for Kids: Exploring and Protecting Our Watery World
Authors On my 29th birthday I was free-diving near a coral reef off the coast of Kauai an island in the Pacific Ocean Suddenly I noticed a sea turtle gliding toward me I tugged on my hus band’s leg to get his attention Josh turned just in time to snap a couple of pictures as I swam alongside the graceful turtle It was an unex pected moment that became one of my favorite birthday memories Some people say we know more about the moon than we know about our very own oceans If you’ve ever wanted to be an explorer or an adventurer then this is good news There’s so much left to explore right here on Earth If you’re a fan of cool cute or creepy creatures then here’s some more good news some of the coolest cutest and creepiest creatures live just offshore in Earth’s oceans and other watery places Sea turtles and other marine life deserve our appreciation In some cases they also need our help I help by writing about science and conservation and educating the public about the issues facing our vi
Authors Notes natural world How about you How will you use your talents to make the world a better place As you read this book we hope you will have some fun discovering just how much you have to offer Happy exploring Bethanie Hestermann coauthor of Zoology for Kids and Marine Science for Kids For as long as I can remember I have tried to surround myself with water Growing up in Arizona I loved the way the desert smelled after it rained I loved swimming in my backyard pool and I loved visiting the beaches in California I even ended up marry ing a swimmer In college I began researching sea lions on a tiny island off the coast of Mexico During those trips it was just me my fellow researchers a
colony of California sea lions hundreds of birds and the big blue sea It was these research trips that really made me fall in love with the ocean and everything it has to offer During my career as an animal caretaker I have been lucky enough to work with marine mammals such as sea lions harbor seals gray seals bottlenose dolphins and sea otters along with many animals that live on land An important part of my job is to educate the public about issues marine mammals are facing in our oceans Sometimes I get to participate in efforts to understand these issues In one example I traveled to Sarasota Bay Florida where I went out on a boat each day and helped perform health assessments on wild dolphins My wife Bethanie and I wrote Marine Science for Kids because we share a passion for Earth’s water and all of the life that depends on it for survival that includes you and me and sea lions Getting to know playful sea lions was what hooked me into marine science What is your hook We hope this book inspires readers of all ages to find their hooks and then learn how to protect what they love Josh Hestermann coauthor of Zoology for Kids and Marine Science for Kids
Bethanie and Josh pose with Paddles a female Magellanic penguin Courtesy of Robin Riggs vii
