Oceanites: At the Frontline of Antarctic Research & Penguin Conservation
For more than three decades, Oceanites, a global nonprofit, has been on the frontlines of Antarctic research, using penguins as powerful indicators of ecosystem health. As the leading penguin research organization, we provide the only long-term, open-source data on Antarctic ecosystems, collected directly from the field and shared globally with scientists, policymakers, and the public.
By monitoring penguin populations across the rapidly warming Antarctic Peninsula, we help the world understand how climate change is reshaping one of the most critical regions on Earth, and what that means for our shared global future, from the USA to Europe, Asia, and beyond.
Antarctica: Our Living Laboratory for Climate Change & Penguin Research
Our work unfolds on the frontlines of climate change in the Antarctic Peninsula, one of the fastest-warming places on the planet and a focal point for global Antarctic research NGOs.
On the Antarctic Peninsula, average temperatures have risen by 3°C (5°F) year-round and 5°C (9°F) in winter, transforming the landscape, the Antarctic wildlife, and the balance of life.
Since 1994, Oceanites’ researchers and penguin counters have conducted more than 2,100 site visits at over 260 Antarctic locations; from small islands to remote, ice-covered coves across the Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands.
Every site we visit contributes to a growing record of how species respond to warming seas, shifting krill populations, fishing pressures, and human activity. Beyond the Peninsula, our open data reaches across the Seventh Continent, strengthening the work of every climate research NGO and guiding Antarctic wildlife conservation worldwide.
Why Antarctic Research Matters for the Planet
Antarctica is changing faster than anywhere else on Earth. What happens here impacts us all, from rising sea levels threatening coastal cities in North America and Europe, to shifts in marine ecosystems that sustain global fisheries in Asia, South America, and Australia.
The Antarctic ice sheets hold the majority of the world’s freshwater, so even modest melting contributes to sea level rise. At the same time, the Southern Ocean plays a key role in regulating global climate and supporting species like krill, which are essential for penguins, whales, and seabirds.
By monitoring the health of penguin colonies, Oceanites provides the world with an early-warning system for planetary change. Our open-source data empowers better science, smarter policy, and collective action to protect both the Antarctic ecosystem and the planet we share.
Our Science in Action, Antarctic Research Program
Oceanites’ impact is built on three interconnected pillars that together track, analyze, and share how Antarctica is changing from the field to the world.
Antarctic Site Inventory (ASI)
Our long-term field program, the Antarctic Site Inventory, has completed over 2,100 census visits across the Antarctic Peninsula since 1994. Each season, our researchers and penguin counters collect on-the-ground data that reveal how species are adapting to a rapidly warming environment. The last several years have added satellite and drone image analysis to augment our robust field data. The ASI continues to expand and remains the cornerstone of our Antarctic research NGO mission.
MAPPPD, Global Penguin Population Database
The Mapping Application for Penguin Populations and Projected Dynamics (MAPPPD) is a continent-wide, open-access database developed with the Lynch Lab (Stony Brook University) and supported by NASA. Today, it’s relied upon by governments, scientists, and treaty organizations worldwide from Washington DC to Brussels to Canberra to guide penguin conservation and Antarctic wildlife policy.
State of Antarctic Penguins (SOAP)
Our annual SOAP report transforms decades of penguin monitoring data into a clear, accessible picture of penguin population trends and climate impacts, helping decision-makers in the USA, Europe, and beyond take informed, science-based conservation action.
Our Story – The Oceanites Organization
Oceanites, headquartered in Washington, DC, was founded in 1987 by biologist-attorney Ron Naveen, who first travelled to Antarctica as an expedition leader and fell in love with its wild, incomparable ecosystem. Seeing the lack of reliable data on wildlife, Ron, a man with a passion for penguins, set out to change that by creating a true Antarctic research NGO.
In 1994, with support from the U.S. National Science Foundation, Oceanites launched the Antarctic Site Inventory, a groundbreaking project that has since completed more than 2,100 census visits at over 260 sites, creating the world’s longest-running record of penguins and penguin populations on the Antarctic Peninsula.
What began as boots-on-the-ground penguin counts has evolved into a global monitoring effort that integrates drone imagery, satellite data, and AI analysis. Yet our greatest strength remains our time in the field and our seasonal field staff of more than 20 counters observing change firsthand and turning it into open data that serves the global community.
Our Vision & Mission – Open Antarctic Science
OUR VISION
A future where science is open, trusted, and actionable. Every decision about our planet is rooted in real, frontline data from Antarctica.
OUR MISSION
As a leading climate research NGO, our mission is to monitor, analyze, and share Antarctic ecosystem data openly and accurately, so it can power global understanding, prevention, and resilience in a changing world.
What Makes Oceanites Different
Open Science
We freely share our data with the world. Transparency in science is a rarity among conservation NGOs and Oceanites stands apart as an independent source of data that transcends political boundaries.
Longevity & Credibility
Continuous, on-the-ground penguin research and Antarctic monitoring since 1994.
Collaboration
A unique model blending NGO, academic, and for-profit partnerships across the USA, Canada, Europe, Asia and beyond.
Innovation
From clipboards to drones and AI, we’re evolving, but our roots remain firmly in the field with our dedicated team of counters.
Impact
Our work informs global treaties, conservation measures, and public awareness worldwide.
Our Accomplishments in Antarctic Research & Conservation
Over three decades of science, storytelling, and collaboration — and counting.
Oceanites’ work has helped shape how the world studies, visits, and protects Antarctica. Highlights include:
Publishing the State of Antarctic Penguins (SOAP) Reports, providing open, data-driven insight into penguin population trends and climate impacts used by scientists, policymakers, and treaty systems worldwide.
Creating the first Antarctic Traveler’s Code, the model for today’s visitor guidelines adopted by the Antarctic Treaty nations, ensuring responsible tourism across the continent.
Operating the Antarctic Site Inventory (ASI), the only long-term, independent monitoring program of the vastly warmed Antarctic Peninsula, with more than 2,100 census visits over 27 consecutive field seasons.
Maintaining MAPPPD (Mapping Application for Penguin Populations and Projected Dynamics), the definitive, open-access database of Antarctic penguin data, relied upon by researchers and environmental managers worldwide.
Drafting the first ten Site Visitor Guidelines, prepared at the request of the UK Government and adopted by the Antarctic Treaty countries, these have since grown to over 40 official guidelines used by all Antarctic visitors.
Publishing reference materials for Antarctic science and tourism, including The Oceanites Site Guide to the Antarctic Peninsula and the Antarctic Peninsula Compendium, now in their third editions.
Expanding climate and science literacy through outreach, distributing the children’s e-book Ron Counts Penguins, hosting classroom webinars and public programs, and partnering with zoos, aquariums, and institutions such as the Library of Congress Young Readers Program.
Together, these achievements reflect our enduring belief that open data and collaboration can turn science into global action.
Board of Directors:
Leaders in Antarctic Science & Conservation
Oceanites’ leadership reflects the diversity of expertise required to tackle planetary challenges. As part of the Oceanites organization, a USA- and UK-based Antarctica nonprofit with global reach, our Board brings together voices from science, policy, business, and conservation.
Ron Naveen, President & Founder
A lifelong birder, biologist, and explorer, Ron Naveen founded Oceanites in 1987 after years leading expeditions to Antarctica. His vision was simple yet profound: to “give back” to the continent he loved by filling the gaps in knowledge about its wildlife and ecosystems.
Under Ron’s leadership, Oceanites launched the Antarctic Site Inventory, now the world’s longest-running penguin monitoring program, and has become a trusted voice in Antarctic science, policy, and climate discourse.
Grant Ferrier
Grant Ferrier is a recognized leader in environmental market intelligence and sustainable business reporting. As founder and publisher of Environmental Business Journal® and Climate Change Business Journal®, he’s helped shape how the world understands the business of environmental protection and climate change, and impacted how thousands of companies have invested in the same objectives. With a background in engineering and resource studies from UC Berkeley, Grant brings decades of expertise at the intersection of science, policy, and environmental innovation to the Oceanites Board.
Jeff Adams
Jeff Adams is a global leader in client-centric strategy and adventure travel. As President of Marathon Tours & Travel, he helps athletes achieve their goals on all seven continents — including Antarctica, where the annual Marathon supports Oceanites’ penguin research. A former Managing Director at Morgan Stanley, Jeff brings decades of experience in leadership, philanthropy, and professional development, with a lifelong commitment to causes advancing the environment, education, and community well-being.
Dr. Grant Humphries
Dr. Grant Humphries is a seabird data scientist from Newfoundland based in the Scottish Highlands. As Oceanites’ Director of Science, he oversees penguin data collection, leads the organization’s drone monitoring program, and manages MAPPPD, the open-access database central to Antarctic penguin research. He is also the founder of Black Bawks Data Science, a company specializing in ecological data management and analytics that supports Oceanites’ mission to make Antarctic science open and actionable.
Marcela Quintero Aguirre
Marcela Quintero Aguirre is a purpose-driven strategist and communicator passionate about connecting sustainability, people, and impact. At Oceanites she leads global storytelling and digital engagement efforts that bring Antarctic science to audiences worldwide. Marcela is also the Founder & CEO of Probity Strategies, a Montréal-based consultancy helping mission-driven organizations grow ethically and sustainably. She brings over a decade of experience in communications, partnerships, and purpose-led brand strategy across the nonprofit and impact sectors.
Larry Marx
Larry Marx is an environmental scientist and corporate development specialist with over 30 years of experience in environmental consulting and sustainability. He co-founded PTI Environmental Services, growing it into a multimillion-dollar firm serving Fortune 500 clients, and later held senior leadership roles at Exponent and Integral Consulting Inc., where he now serves as Board Member. Larry has also served on several nonprofit and corporate boards.
Steve Forrest
Steve Forrest is a biologist, conservationist, and attorney from Truckee, California, now marking his 26th field season in Antarctica. A founding researcher with the Antarctic Site Inventory, Steve has coauthored numerous peer-reviewed studies on penguin populations and climate impacts across the Antarctic Peninsula. Beyond Oceanites, he has worked with WWF and Defenders of Wildlife and continues to advance species recovery efforts in North America, including the reintroduction of the endangered black-footed ferret.
Dr. Mairi Hilton
Dr. Mairi Hilton is a conservationist and wildlife biologist from Scotland now based in New Zealand. After earning her PhD in Conservation Biology in 2022, she spent five months at Port Lockroy with the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust, monitoring gentoo penguin breeding success in collaboration with the British Antarctic Survey. Mairi continues to work on threatened-species recovery projects in New Zealand and Australia and recently joined Oceanites as part of its growing team of Antarctic field researchers.
Our Penguin Counters:
The Human Pulse of Our Antarctic Research
Every penguin we count tells a story about our changing planet. Behind every dataset is a dedicated team of Oceanites penguin counters who travel across the Antarctic Peninsula to gather on-the-ground penguin population data that fuel our antarctic research.
Oceanites Penguin Counters are accredited scientists from a variety of fields. They volunteer their time, with their travel and shipboard accommodations covered by annual donations and contributions by our tour operator partners. They also present entertaining and informative slideshows and scientific lectures on penguins, penguin habitats and Antarctic ecosystems to expeditioners before aggregating their daily reports into the Oceanites feed into the master database.
These volunteers endure harsh Antarctic conditions to document trends in gentoo, Adélie, and chinstrap penguins, providing the frontline science needed to understand climate change in Antarctica.
Our 2025-2026 Season Penguin Counters
Steve Forrest
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Melissa Rider
Grant Humphries
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Alastair Wilson
Darwin Zhenhuan Zhang
Kate Howard
Jason
Fly
Emily
Ritter
Bianca
Keys
Hayley Charleton
Alex Robbins
Laura Bogaard
Steve Forrest
Melissa Rider
Grant Humphries
Alastair Wilson
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Darwin Zhenhuan Zhang
Kate Robb
Jason Fly
Emily Ritter
Bianca Keys
Hayley Charleton
Alex Robbins
Laura Bogaard
Phil Trathan
George Watters
Sonja Feinberg
Ashley Noseworthy
Bertrand Charry
James Bunyan
Alex Borowicz
Jesse Boulerice
Kate Robb
Alastair Wilson
Melissa Rider
Steve Forrest
Grant Humphries
Darwin Zhenhuan Zhang
Hayley Charleton
Emily Ritter
Jason Fly
Bianca Keys
Ashley Noseworthy
George Watters
Laura Bogaard
Alex Robbins
Phil Trathan
Sonja Feinberg
Jesse Boulerice
James Bunyan
Bertrand Charry
Alex Borowicz
Our Past Penguin Counters
Port Lockroy Post Office Staff & Personnel, Vernadsky Research Station Personnel
Matt Becker, Nicole Bender, Kate Blackwell, Louise Blight, Laura Bogaard, Alex Borowicz, Jesse Boulerice, Rebecca Brasso, Stacey Buckelew, Ian Bullock, John Carlson, Laura Carlson, Paula Casanovas, Hayley Charlton-Howard, Rosemary Dagit, Jason Day, Dick Dolan, Matthew Drennan, Chris Edelen, Helen Eifert, Steve Emslie, William Fagan, Catie Foley, Louise Forrest, Steve Forrest, Jason Fly, Curt Freese, Harriet Gillett, Bento Goncalvez, Douglas Gould, Evan Grant, Ros Green, Tom Hart, Rachael Herman, Mairi Hilton, Brent Houston, Grant Humphries, Wayne Humphries, Toby Kaufman, Harry Keys, Kristy Kroeker, Elise Larsen, Michelle LaRue, Harrison Lippy, Heather Lynch, Maureen Lynch, Beck Marshall, Kaya Marshall, Holly Martinson, Megan McCosker, Phil McDowall, Dave McWethy, Aileen Miller, Thomas Mueller, Ron Naveen, Cecilia O'Leary, Poly Penhale, Richard Polatty, Mike Polito, Lisa Prowant, Boyd Pyper, Melissa Rider, Alex Robbins, Emily Runnels, Iris Saxer, Katie Schneider, Michael Schrimpf, Laina Shill, Julia Stepanuk, Noah Strycker, Lesley Thorne, Phil Trathan, Sue Trivelpiece, Wayne Trivelpiece, Sam Urmy, Alastair Wilson, Eric Woehler, Casey Youngflesh, Elise Zipkin, Port Lockroy Post Office Staff & Personnel, Vernadsky Research Station Personnel
Partners and Supporters:
Global Collaboration for Antarctic Research and Penguin Conservation
Oceanites is a pioneering antarctic research NGO, and our work thrives on collaboration. Our ability to track long-term penguin population change and deliver open-access science is powered by an extraordinary global network of expedition partners, scientific collaborators, research institutes, and conservation organizations.
Expedition and Operations Partners
Our expedition partners are essential to Oceanites’ long-term success. Their committed annual support allows us to access more remote colonies, collect more data, and expand monitoring across more species and locations.
Viking Cruises
Aurora Expeditions
Polar Latitudes Expeditions
Albatros Expeditions
IAATO (International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators)
Scientific Partners
Our scientific partners help translate decades of penguin counts and environmental observations into meaningful antarctic research and scientific publications. They provide analytical tools, climate modeling, and research expertise.
SCAR (Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research)
Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future (SAEF)
Stony Brook University
University of Wisconsin
Norwegian Polar Institute
CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)
University of Bangor
Data Contributors and Additional Collaborators
These organizations contribute datasets, drone imagery, remote sensing analysis, field observations, and long-term monitoring information that strengthen MAPPPD, SOAP and our open science mission. We also collaborate with additional groups who share data with penguinmap.com and support various aspects of field data collection across Antarctica.
Whale Seeker
Penguin Watch
US Antarctic Marine Living Resources (AMLR) Program
Instituto Antártico Chileno (INACH)
Instituto Antártico Argentino
British Antarctic Survey
Association for Responsible Krill Fishermen
Ukrainian National Antarctic Scientific Center
Additional contributors to PenguinMap.com