Jon Bowermaster

Jon Bowermaster is a writer, filmmaker, and adventurer, whose explorations have taken him across six continents, including sledging two-person across Antarctica, sailing a 60-foot sailboat across the Atlantic, and undertaking first descents of rivers from Chile to China. He has written eleven books, three of which he co-authored with renowned polar explorer Will Steger, and his filmography includes over thirty documentaries such as "Dear President Obama," "Antarctica, on the Edge," "After the Spill," and "Ghost Fleet."

Launched in 1999, Jon's OCEANS 8 project, sponsored by National Geographic, is a series of expeditions undertaken to explore the world's oceans from the seat of a sea kayak. These expeditions have allowed Jon and his teams—comprising some of the world's top photographers, filmmakers, scientists, and navigators—to access and report on remote corners of the world rarely seen. The project also aimed to examine the health of the world’s oceans and coastlines, blending adventure with exploration of local cultures, histories, environmental issues, and the impact on these diverse regions.

Jon's work extends beyond exploration. He has been recognized as one of National Geographic’s “Ocean Heroes” and was named Riverkeeper’s “2022 Hudson River Hero.” He currently serves as the President of the One Ocean Media Foundation, Chairman of the Advisory Board of Adventure Science, and a Creative Affiliate of The Safina Center. He is also a Visiting Lecturer at Bard College in the Environment and Urban Studies Department and hosts a weekly radio show/podcast titled "The Green Radio Hour with Jon Bowermaster." His commitment to environmental education and advocacy continues through his active production of a series of short films focused on the environmental risks and hopes for New York’s Hudson River Valley. His extensive travels and projects, steeped in an education in government, politics, and the environment, aim to enhance understanding about how the world functions today, with a particular focus on the interaction between humans and the environment.