top of page
C73A8969.jpg

About 

The FCOLC

The Fabien Cousteau Ocean Learning Center was founded in 2016 as a 501(c)(3) by aquanaut, oceanographic explorer, conservationist and documentary filmmaker Fabien Cousteau, to fulfill his dream of creating a vehicle for positive change in the world. 

  

The FCOLC was created to empower local communities to champion ocean conservation in ways that are most meaningful to them.  

 

By engaging local communities worldwide in restoration, conservation and research activities, we can plant the seeds of growth toward a healthier relationship between ourselves and our life support system that comes from our oceans. 

Receive updates from Fabien on protecting our ocean.

Thanks for submitting!

Our Approach 
SEE. LEARN. DO.  

We are fueled by two things: passion and science. We believe that individuals and communities are motivated to effect change through this cycle.  We call it - SEE. LEARN. DO.  

SEE: 


Raise Global Awareness

Raising awareness about marine conservation and preservation is one of our essential goals. Through education and research programs, we aim to inspire all generations to keep our ocean healthy.  

LEARN


Educate via experimental programming

Educational programming dedicated to cultivating the next generation of ocean conservationists and explorers is critical to creating the bold changes urgently needed to protect our waters. 

DO


Empowering Communities

We focus on implementing Marine Life Restoration programs that address some of the greatest threats and damage to our aquatic ecosystems: climate change, ocean acidification, habitat destruction, and coastal pollution.  

The Need is URGENT

A Planet at Risk

Now, more than ever, the world is in desperate need and it requires us to focus  its attention and resources on our ocean.  The planet struggles against climate change and water pollution, among other important challenges resulting in the degradation of entire ecosystems. Our oceans have been plundered and marine diversity is in a free-fall.

Today when the need is most urgent, the FCOLC is focusing efforts to protect, conserve and connect to our ocean in order to help the world change course. 

Like his renowned grandfather, Jacques Yves-Cousteau, Fabien has devoted his life to his passion for marine education, research and connecting the new generation to our ocean.  Fabien believes it is not only his mission, but our collective responsibility to inspire individuals and equip communities with the knowledge and tools necessary to restore, protect and ensure the health of our vast oceans throughout the world.  

Make a Difference

MISSION 31

The Inspiration
Mission 31, the birthplace of new ideas

In June 2014, Fabien Cousteau and his team of aquanauts embarked on Mission 31, the longest science expedition to take place at Aquarius, the world’s only underwater marine laboratory, located nine miles off the coast of the Florida Keys, and 63 feet beneath the sea.  

 

Fabien’s epic Mission 31 expedition broke new ground in ocean exploration and honored the 50th anniversary of his grandfather, Jacques-Yves Cousteau’s original 30-day underwater living experiment known as Conshelf Two. 

 

For 31 straight days, Fabien and his team kept the importance of the ocean in the news, classrooms, businesses and homes worldwide broadcasting each moment live on multiple channels, and exposing the world to the adventure, drama and mystique of what lies beneath. 

Most importantly, Mission 31 gave birth to the idea for the Fabien Cousteau Ocean Learning Center. The proven success and global reach of Mission 31 confirmed the need for the FCOLC to create programs designed to inspire and empower individuals  to restore and protect the ocean in their own backyard and, in doing so, ensure the health of our vast waters throughout the world. 

Results
of Mission 31

images.png
  • Accelerated Research: 3 years of equivalent research performed in 31 days 

 

  • Experiential Education: 100,000 students reached via virtual sessions as a part of the mission’s STEAM-themed (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Mathematics) Skype in the Classroom  

 

  • Discoveries: 12 scientific studies and 9,800 published articles with Universities including Northeastern, MIT, University of North Florida 

 

  • Media Impact: 34 billion impressions 

 

  • Innovation: Tested 7 different disruptive technologies 

Check out more Mission 31 adventures here

Our Team

OUR TEAM

Board Members

(Click photos for bios)

Fabien-Cousteau_edited.jpg

Fabien Cousteau
Founder & President

31CB9C20-96B8-4ED3-8576-7A3D960B1445.jpe

Storm Boswick
Board Member

bio photo.jpg

Courtney Brady
Board Member

JustinMuir-1-276x333_edited.jpg

Justin Muir
Board Member

Joy Chaillou[63].jpg

Joy Chaillou
Board Member

FC_OLC_Board_Matt_Gilbert_headshot-270x3

Matt Gilbert 
Board Member

Rachel Truair - Headshot 2022.JPG

Rachel Truair 
Board Member

In Memory of

FC_OLC_Board_Courtney_Hall_headshot_comp

Courtney Hall

Board Member

Ocean Ambassadors

Behind the Scenes

(Click photos for bios)

IMG_4107_edited.jpg

Dr. Pamela Fletcher

 

Program Director

C2D7160B-4BE9-40C2-831B-042568522561_edited.jpg

Zoe Georgiou

 

Designer & Social Media Coordinator

IMG_8344[71].jpg

Henry Cowhey

Intern - Research

IMG_4107_edited.jpg

Martin Molina

Program Manager

Unknown.png

Marvin Hernandez Pavon

Project Administrator - Nicaragua

IMG_5796[5].HEIC

Robby Harper

Intern - Research

1603304801303.jpg

Dr. Kenneth Kruz

Curriculum Development Consultant

Unknown-2.png

Aracelly de los Angeles Parrales Ortega

Project Coordinator - Nicaragua

uy.jpg

Destiny Sparks

Intern - Research

IMG_3874.JPG

Maureen Hall

Curriculum Development Consultant

IMG_2752[48].jpg

Felicity Amoroso-Wall

 

Intern - Sea Turtle Program

Intern Spotlight

headshot_4-21.png

Kellie Flowers

Kellie is pursuing her Master of Science degree in marine biology and ecology at the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science at the University of Miami. Before working towards her degree, she and a group of Manhattan Beach, CA residents founded an organization that promoted sustainability and raised awareness about the ocean and environmental issues. In this organization, she planned beach cleanups, gained community support to ban single-use plastics, and spoke at city hall to strengthen policy around composting programs. She also worked with locally owned businesses to host events aimed at educating people on ways to be more environmentally friendly and care for our planet. After this became her true passion, she quit her career and went back to school to dedicate her life to ocean conservation. 

As an intern at FCOLC and a member of the Sustainability Initiative at UM, she has continued her environmental advocacy by organizing and volunteering at outreach events including mangrove cleanups at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Her current research entails characterizing the internal morphology and infauna of loggerhead sponges from the nearshore habitats of the Florida Keys. This work is in collaboration with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission which has been refining restoration methods to aid in the recovery of nearshore sponge communities. 

Her long-term aspirations are to continue to promote awareness and environmental advocacy and pursue a career in ocean restoration. If she is not working on her sponge project or running an outreach event, you can find her at beach cleanups, doing yoga, finding an animal to love, or cooking creative plant-based meals for friends. 
 

P4030334.JPG
PB035495.JPG
IMG_1373.jpg

A special THANK YOU to our program partners for their continued support!

FJPCOLOR_Friends John Pennekamp.png
coastlove.png
WeLoveU Logo.png
Exploring+by+the+Seat+of+Your+Pants+Logo.png
bottom of page