Wallace J. Nichols

Dr. Wallace J. Nichols — called "Keeper of the Sea" by GQ Magazine, "a visionary" by Outside Magazine, and "the godfather of water" by Irish Life Health and Santa Cruz Waves Magazine — is an innovative, silo-busting, entrepreneurial scientist, movement maker, renown marine biologist, voracious Earth, and idea explorer, wild water advocate, bestselling author, sought after lecturer, problem solver, and fun-loving Dad. He also likes turtles (a lot).

His experiences as a field research scientist, government consultant, founder and director of numerous businesses and nonprofit organizations, teacher, mentor, public speaker, parent, and advisor all support his quest to build a stronger and more diverse global blue movement. "Nichols is gutsy and brilliant." ~ Dr. Kevin Weiner, neuroscientist

Formerly a Senior Scientist at Ocean Conservancy, Nichols holds a B.A. degree from DePauw University in Biology and Spanish, a M.E.M. degree in Natural Resource Economics and Policy from Duke University, and a Ph.D.degree in Wildlife Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Arizona. He received both a Marshall Fellowship and a Fulbright Fellowship. In 2010 he delivered the commencement address at DePauw University, where he also received an honorary doctorate in science. 

In 2014 he received the University of Arizona's Global Achievement Award. In 2017 Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama presented the Champion of Change Award to Nichols at the UN Ocean Conference and World Ocean Festival in New York. The Academy of Underwater Arts & Sciences presented him with a NOGI Award (the "Ocean Oscar") in 2019.

"Wallace J. Nichols, Ph.D., is likely the world’s foremost authority on the mental health benefits of spending time near, in, on, or under water — what the marine biologist calls a Blue Mindstate." ~ Experience Life Magazine 

He has authored more than 200 scientific papers, technical reports, book chapters, and popular publications; lectured in more than 30 countries; and appeared in hundreds of print, film, radio, and television news and media outlets, including CBS, NPR, BBC, PBS, CNN, MSNBC, FOX, National Geographic, Animal Planet, Time, Newsweek, GQ, Outside Magazine, Elle, Vogue, Fast Company, Surfer Magazine, Scientific American and New Scientist, among many others.

His research interests span ocean and aquatic ecosystems, health and wellness, migratory species, marine protected areas, fisheries management, and plastic pollution, with special emphasis on apex leadership and building new action networks, sometimes connecting so-called enemies in creative solutions. 

He takes a slow, collaborative approach with thought-leaders in businesses, government, non-profits, and academia to inspire a deeper connection with nature and inventive approaches to pressing issues ranging from supplies of fresh water to better hospice care for our aging population.

His current focus is on what he refers to as Blue Mind, widely sharing a powerful new universal story of water until it becomes common knowledge. In this story society accurately describes and properly values all of the physical, ecological, economic, cognitive, emotional, psychological, spiritual, and social benefits of healthy oceans and waterways. By connecting neuroscientists and psychologists with aquatic experts and artists to ask and answer exciting new questions his work is transforming many sectors, including health and well-being; education and parenting; arts, architecture, and design; real estate and urban planning; travel and leisure; and sports and recreation. 

His book Blue Mind, published in the summer of 2014 by Little, Brown & Company, quickly became an organic international bestseller, has been translated into a dozen languages and formats, and has inspired a wave of media and practical application. J. knows that inspiration sometimes comes through adventures or simply by walking and talking. Other times through writing, images, and art. Science and knowledge can also stoke our fires. 

But he also knows that what really moves people is feeling part of and touching something bigger than ourselves. At every turn, he encourages people to disconnect from the grid and reconnect with themselves, those they love, and the special places they care most about. To "get in the water" at every opportunity.

His research, expeditions, and work as a guide have taken him to coasts and waterways across North, Central, and South America, to Asia, Africa, Australia, and Europe where he continually finds that the deep emotional connection to waters of all kinds - rather than force or financial gain - is what keeps his colleagues and collaborators working hard to understand and restore our blue planet

J. is currently a Senior Fellow at the Center for the Blue Economy at Middlebury Institute of International Studies, a Research Associate at the California Academy of Sciences, co-founder of Ocean Revolution, an international network of young ocean advocates, SEE the WILD, a conservation travel network, Grupo Tortuguero, an international sea turtle conservation network, past president of the International Sea Turtle Society, and founder of The Live Blue Foundation, a global groundswell reconnecting people to their waters.

He has advised a motivated group of international graduate students and serves as an advisor to numerous non-profit boards and committees as part of his commitment to building a stronger, more progressive, and connected blue movement.

J. lived with his partner Dana, two daughters, and some cats, dogs, and chickens on California's Slow Coast, a rural stretch of coastal mountains where organic strawberries rule, mountain lions roam, and the local motto are "In Slow We Trust" until the summer 2020 wildfires took his family home. The Nichols chose to settle down in this area after trekking the entire 1,800-kilometer coast from Oregon to Mexico. "We liked it here," Nichols said. They are slowly cleaning up the mess and working to fix what's broken. They hope to invite friends and colleagues to visit a deconstructed version of their Slow Coast home again soon.

To invite Dr. Nichols to speak at your event or to organize a workshop for your organization, in person or online, please visit wallacejnichols.org. "Nichols draws on science and art, hard data and anecdote, and plenty of experience, to explain our blue mind in detail. Not just what it is, but how we can enter into this state and - perhaps most important - why we should do so." ~ Washington Post