Erika Woolsey: Diving The Great Barrier Reef

🌊 Dive into the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef with marine biologist and National Geographic Explorer, Erika Woolsey!

When the moment arrives, the world-famous reef transforms into a breathtaking spectacle as millions of coral polyps engage in reproduction, sending the upcoming generation surging forth. This stunning event masks a grim reality: the Great Barrier Reef is facing grave threats. Over half of its coral has succumbed, largely due to warmer ocean temperatures causing widespread bleaching. Yet, there remains a vibrant underwater ecosystem to explore and protect.

Join Erika on a captivating journey through a series of dives, where you'll encounter the colorful inhabitants of this aquatic paradise. As the CEO of The Hydrous—a nonprofit dedicated to promoting ocean empathy and stewardship—Woolsey employs 360-degree photography to develop immersive virtual reality experiences, allowing people to appreciate marine life from anywhere.

Currently a Visiting Scholar at Stanford’s Virtual Human Interaction Lab, Dr. Woolsey's extensive research has taken her to reefs across the globe, including pivotal studies at the Great Barrier Reef during her Ph.D.

📍 Location: 221 Walnut St, Des Moines, IA 50309-2104, United States
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