TAM WARNER MINTON: ALL FISH FACES
Listen to the Big Blend Radio interview Tam Warner Minton, author of “ALL FISH FACES: Photos and Fun Facts about Tropical Reef Fish”, who discusses her world travels and work photographing and documenting tropical reef fish as a citizen scientist, doing research on behalf of scientists.
Citizen science, also known as crowd-sourced science, is when the public engages in research endeavors on behalf of scientists. For those, like Tam Warner Minton, it’s an excellent opportunity to explore your scientific passions while tickling your travel bug at the same time. “Citizen science has allowed me to visit the seven continents of the world, assisting scientists, all while skipping a PhD,” says Minton, an empty-nester turned world traveler. Minton always enjoyed traveling with her husband and family. But when her children flew the coop, she was emboldened to continue traveling; although, this time she was determined to become more adventurous in her explorations!
Her travels led her to cage dive with whale sharks in Mexico, scuba dive alongside endangered dwarf whales of the Great Barrier Reef, study a lion pride in the African Serengeti, and so much more. Once a travel agent helping others on their travels, she was now in control of her own destiny. And it was through the power of citizen science that her fervor for travel took on a new meaning.
Through Minton’s travels, specifically those that involved oceanographic observation, she became acutely aware of the dangers of climate change. She made it her mission to educate others on the importance of protecting our oceans and the precious lifeforms that dwell in them. This is one reason she published her new book ALL FISH FACES: Photos and Fun Facts about Tropical Reef Fish. She noticed while many people are interested in conservatism, some aren’t sure how to specifically aid in finding answers. “Anyone with a passion and interest in protecting our Earth can make a difference,” Minton says. “You don’t need a PhD to find answers. You can become a self-study expert! My scientific findings are a testament to the effects of crowd-sourced science, and how anyone with an interest in the sciences can do far more than they ever dreamed possible.”
Tam Warner Minton is the travel blogger, writer, and photographer behind the adventure travel blog, www.travelswithtam.com. She has traveled to all seven continents, and is an advocate for citizen science, the environment, and getting out of one’s comfort zone. An avid scuba diver, Tam goes on many ocean research expeditions, and is an amateur underwater photographer. Her book, ALL FISH FACES, introduces amazing, colorful underwater creatures many have never seen before, but are crucial to our oceans. Showing kids of all ages the amazing life beneath the waves is the way to preserve our oceans for future generations!
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