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.
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
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
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Accelerated Research: 3 years of equivalent research performed in 31 days
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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
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Discoveries: 12 scientific studies and 9,800 published articles with Universities including Northeastern, MIT, University of North Florida
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Media Impact: 34 billion impressions
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Innovation: Tested 7 different disruptive technologies
Check out more Mission 31 adventures here
Our Team
Board Members
(Click photos for bios)
Fabien Cousteau
Founder & President
Storm Boswick
Board Member
Courtney Brady
Board Member
Justin Muir
Board Member
![Joy Chaillou[63].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/df73f4_a70cf22b50484c61acff6eae4d8137e7~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_0,w_2100,h_2098/fill/w_167,h_167,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Joy%20Chaillou%5B63%5D.jpg)
Joy Chaillou
Board Member
Matt Gilbert
Board Member
Rachel Truair
Board Member
Behind the Scenes
(Click photos for bios)
Dr. Pamela Fletcher
Program Director
Zoe Georgiou
Designer & Social Media Coordinator
![IMG_8344[71].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/df73f4_5a634e06b9064cacb99b6b6218cad66f~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_626,y_690,w_1741,h_1740/fill/w_167,h_167,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/IMG_8344%5B71%5D.jpg)
Henry Cowhey
Intern - Research
Martin Molina
Program Manager
Marvin Hernandez Pavon
Project Administrator - Nicaragua
![IMG_5796[5].HEIC](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/df73f4_aee8bab720814ce097c21d3821ade052~mv2.png/v1/crop/x_0,y_504,w_3024,h_3024/fill/w_167,h_167,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/IMG_5796%5B5%5D_HEIC.png)
Robby Harper
Intern - Research
Dr. Kenneth Kruz
Curriculum Development Consultant
Aracelly de los Angeles Parrales Ortega
Project Coordinator - Nicaragua
Destiny Sparks
Intern - Research
Maureen Hall
Curriculum Development Consultant
![IMG_2752[48].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/df73f4_2a9acd1a75704ab8b52e83f41c0da2dd~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_0,w_581,h_581/fill/w_167,h_167,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/IMG_2752%5B48%5D.jpg)
Felicity Amoroso-Wall
Intern - Sea Turtle Program
Intern Spotlight
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.
A special THANK YOU to our program partners for their continued support!
