Oceanites is the world’s only publicly-supported nonprofit research program monitoring the vastly warmed Antarctic Peninsula.
Our Story
We are the eyewitness to environmental change in the Antarctic Peninsula. The three species of penguins we study are trying to adapt to a whopping 3˚C / 5˚F temperature rise. We'll soon face similar challenges.
Antarctica and our penguins are incubators foretelling our planet's future. We are the Antarctic truth-tellers championing science-based conservation and increased international awareness about adaptation to a warmer climate.
We’ve been counting penguins and tracking their population changes for a quarter-century.
The messages they’re sending can't be ignored some species of penguins are climate change winners while others are climate change losers.
Stand With Penguins & Save our Planet
Antarctica is melting! Penguin populations are falling! Their favorite food, krill, is diminishing or has moved, also threatening whales and seals. By supporting Oceanites in our work to assist the long term conservation of this fragile marine ecosystem, we are broadcasting to the world how these changes will tell us what we will soon be facing!
Changing the world is possible. We’ve done it before.
We are the little engine that could and does! Oceanites provides critical scientific data supporting decisions by the Antarctic Treaty system on tourism, krill fishing, and conserving the Antarctic marine ecosystem. Our research is very important in supporting ongoing stewardship and ocean conservation.
In Memoriam
It is with indescribable sadness and regret that we announce the sudden and unexpected passing of our long-time board member and former chair, Heidi Richardson. Heidi was the inimitable ‘life force’ that fully energized all of us at Oceanites, and her measured opinions and astute guidance were a valued gift as we traversed the tricky road of raising support to keep our penguin data flowing and keep everyone apprised of the latest climate news from Antarctica. That astute guidance and care extended to her Morgan Stanley clients and colleagues to whom she devoted her career.
In honor of her memory and dedication to our organization, we are setting up the Heidi Ann Richardson Memorial Reserve Fund. Heidi's attention to detail on governance will be brought to bear in the administration of this special fund, prioritizing projects she often championed as an influential, yet humble, member of the Oceanites board of directors.
“With a lifetime of adventure and a career in financial services, my passions have been people and places. But through Oceanites, I have added penguins and the health of Antarctic ecosystems to this list. I am proud and honored to contribute to and serve this organization and welcome others to join us in this mission.”
— Heidi Richardson
“We appreciate that Oceanites’ work continues on the Antarctic Site Inventory, MAPPPD, and the Climate Change Analysis. This will further advance Oceanites’ long track record of assisting the entire Antarctic Treaty system, particularly in helping to ensure that policies that are adopted are based on the best available scientific data, analysis, and information.
We look forward, as do the other Treaty Parties, to working with you and Oceanites in years to come.”
UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office