I just couldn’t get enough of penguins, so I moved down to the southern hemisphere to meet some wild ones!
Now that I live in Tasmania, I study marine science and ocean governance. I’m learning as much as I can about our oceans and the rules we have made to protect them. The ocean is interesting to me because it is shared by everyone on earth, so everyone can harm it or protect it. By studying the laws we’ve created to govern the oceans, I’ve learned how countries like the U.S. and Australia work together to make sure the ocean is healthy and protected. Sometimes Tasmania feels like a different planet, but when I go to the ocean, I’m reminded that we’re all connected.
When I’m not in class studying, I volunteer to monitor little penguin nests in Hobart. Little penguins are the smallest species of penguin. These little birds live right here on the shores of Hobart, carving out nests beneath houses and fence posts to make themselves a home on the shoreline. You might picture penguins living on ice covered in snow, but many penguin species live in temperate environments like Tasmania. Each month, we check on the nests of the little penguins to see how they are doing. This is important because little penguins are essential to Tasmania’s natural ecosystem, and also very important to Tasmanian people.
There is so much to learn about Tasmanian culture and nature! I’m so excited to take you with me.
