This blog post series highlights alumni of the Sea Dragons, a student-run underwater robotics team and their work with the Jefferson MRC, sharing reflections, advice, and the impact of hands-on marine conservation.
Riley Forth
Years with the Sea Dragons: 2022-2025
Role on the team: Co-Primary Investigator (2024) and GIS Project Manager
Where are they now: Conducting cryospheric research on lake ice in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago while earning a Masters in Geography at the University of Toronto
“The crab pot recovery project was my first exposure to environmental research, fieldwork, and geospatial analysis - all of which has played a critical role in shaping the trajectory of my career. After the highs of pulling up our first crab pot and cementing our methodology, I was certain I had chosen the right field to pursue, leading me to chase research experiences that have taken me across the globe, including Greece, Morocco, and the High Arctic. Beyond the research and technical skills gained, I value that this project has allowed me to grow my scope in collaboration and communication, such as working alongside stakeholders, supporting an annual robotics workshop for local & tribal schools, and designing an ArcGIS StoryMap for outreach that has since been honored by large organizations such as ESRI, IUCN, and the Our Towns Foundation.”
Future plans: The next few years I am continuing to pursue my Masters at the University of Toronto, where I will continue to engage in the research, fieldwork, and geospatial skills I first built through the crab pot recovery project.
Advice to younger self: Always jump into opportunities when they arise! When I first joined the crab pot project, I had only taken one course on geospatial science and immediately had to apply my newfound knowledge to this real-world scenario. Doing new things can be intimidating at first, but trust that you’ll find your footing along the way since doing things firsthand is the best way to learn and grow!
More about this series: It is a privilege to hear from a group of students after their interaction with an MRC to see how their experiences shaped their futures. This post is part of the “Where Are They Now?” series, featuring alumni of the Sea Dragons underwater robotics team and their previous work with the Jefferson MRC. Each student answers the same questions about their experience, sharing how it shaped their skills, teamwork, and interest in marine conservation.
From 2022-2024, this particular group of student-led Sea Dragon students have designed and operated remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to locate and recover lost crab pots in the Salish Sea, protecting marine life while gaining hands-on experience. Alumni reflect on where they are now, offer advice to future students, and share photos from their Sea Dragon journey. Many thanks to Ella Ashford for keeping in touch and for helping to gather and share this information!
Resources:
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Project StoryMap (recipient of the ArcGIS International Storyteller of the Year Award 2023)
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Students tackle ‘ghost-pot’ problem. The Leader | July 2022