A Student of the Sea: Olivia VanDamme

Olivia VanDamme’s hope is that one day, in her older years, she’ll be at the beach, covered in seaweed and still contributing to community science. Olivia has always felt comforted, alive, and happy in the ocean. And as an educator, poet, singer, environmentalist, surfer, and more – Olivia celebrates that in everything she does.

On this episode, Olivia shares an original poem, “Tu Perteneces! Nadar Mija” which helps paint the picture of the role the ocean plays in her life – all while bursting with song and joy. We learn how Olivia straddles worlds by virtue of being herself, why she loves geography, how being an educator has informed her environmental life, and how we can all get involved in collecting data that helps shape the future of the lands and waters we recreate in.

This a series of interviews with some incredible humans who are featured in Women and Water - a new book from the team behind She Explores. We’re taking the conversation off the page and into their relationship with water today. You’ll hear from swimmers, surfers, paddlers, fishers, and more. 

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Featured in this episode: Olivia VanDamme

She Explores is Hosted & Produced by Gale Straub

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Resources

• Olivia VanDamme
  • Instagram: @olivialomasi & @livs.wav
• Our new book, Women and Water
• Mentioned in conversation:
  • Seawitches Zine
  • California Academy of Sciences
  • PGMOne
  • Dina Gilio-Whitaker
  • Krista Comer
  • REU Summer Internship at Smithsonian 
• Get involved with community science through the resources Olivia mentioned:
  • iNaturalist
  • City Nature Challenge
  • Snapshot Cal Coast
• Rate this podcast
• Ravel Media

Music is licensed via podcastmusic.com.