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Dash Masland is a Marine Biologist and National Geographic Young Explorer Grantee, whose passion has been marine mammal conservation for practically her entire life.
I am lucky enough to have been to over 20 countries spanning 4 continents and have studied coral reefs, fish, algae and even marine bacteria. But the proudest I have ever been when I was right back in Maine, studying those seals that I grew up in love with. These are the same animals that compelled me to become a marine biologist. I am so familiar with their role in our lives and how my research would affect the people around the study site that it is an investment in research like no other.
In no way am I trying to say that it isn’t important to go to other places and share your skills. Because it is. And, I’m not saying that I won’t keep pushing to go on explorations to study animals or research questions that are on the forefront of conservation so that I can help make a tangible difference. Because I will. (Also, because I happen to have what we like to call around our house, the “travel bug”) I’m just saying that being an explorer at home is incredibly important and valuable, too. And, being an explorer is something anyone can do.
