Oceanites is the world’s only publicly-supported nonprofit research program monitoring the vastly warmed Antarctic Peninsula.
Our Story
We were founded in 1994 and are a rag-tag group of adventurous scientists who are eyewitness to environmental change on the Antarctic Peninsula. With an average temperature rise of 3˚C / 5˚F in this relatively untouched ecosystem, penguins act as the perfect marine sentinels to help tell the story of climate adaptation.
Oceanites has been counting penguins for over 30 years and we continue to champion science-based conservation and increase international awareness about adaptation to a warming climate.
3,507,541 penguins and counting…
This year we joined 1% for the planet
1% for the Planet is a global network with thousands of incredible businesses and environmental organizations working together to support people and the planet.
Stand With Penguins & Save our Planet
Antarctica is slowly 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 to report the sudden and unexpected passing of our long-time board member and former board 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.
In her memory, we rededicate ourselves to ensuring Oceanites’ scientific and climate awareness mission, as well as our unwavering commitment to a strongly diverse staff of penguin researchers.Donate today to help us continue our mission to which Heidi was dedicated
“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