Photo: Volunteer biological assistant Laura Jost pictured with Ryan Fields (Ecological Research Assistant) and Dylan Gomes (Quantitative Marine Ecologist) on a Cascade Head Marine Reserve Hook-and-Line Survey.
After a full day on the water documenting data on a Cascade Head Hook-and-Line Survey, you might expect volunteer biological assistant Laura Jost to take it easy for the rest of the day. Instead, Laura pulled out her brushes and watercolors. Inspired by the vibrant blue lingcod and long-lived yellow-eye rockfish, she got right to work painting some of the fish she helped record earlier in the day.
Laura is an Oregon State University Natural Resources graduate, angler, artist, and first-year hook-and-line volunteer. Painting has shifted how she sees the world – noticing more details, colors, and connections between species and their ecosystems. Her paintings showcase the role art plays in connecting people to science and conservation. She sees art as a universal language that offers an accessible entryway to the wildlife and environments our science works to understand and conserve.
After spending a day on the ocean with the Marine Reserves Ecological Team, Laura learned she’s interested in doing more work with aquatic species and spending more time on the Oregon Coast. Her advice to anyone who might be on the fence about volunteering on a Marine Reserves survey? Even if you don’t think you’re interested in marine science, do it – you might surprise yourself. The ODFW Marine Reserves volunteer opportunities are a great option for students, young professionals, and others to try something outside of their comfort zone or normal range of responsibilities.
The Marine Reserves team depends on volunteers like Laura to complete our annual monitoring surveys. Visit our volunteer webpage to learn more and get involved. You can see more of Laura’s art on Instagram @laurasartandcritters.