Since June 10, when Wallace J. Nichols, PhD, left this life at age 56, the sea turtles, cetaceans, and all water-dwelling creatures have been mourning the loss of one of their greatest advocates and allies. After beginning his career tracking and implementing strategic plans to save sea turtles, J. went on to develop a Blue Mind movement, serving as coach and board member to so many marine nonprofits. His 2014 bestselling book Blue Mind, which draws connections between neuroscience and peoples’ love of being near to large, wild bodies of water, is celebrating its tenth anniversary reprinting this year. “I Wish You Water,” was the blessing he bestowed upon nearly everyone he met, dropping a blue marble into your palm in his deeply kind and loving way, as a reminder. 

Of all the remarkable leaders and innovators we’ve been privileged to host at Bioneers over these 35 years, J. Nichols was one whose presence, voice, and vision always touched me deeply. He was a rare scientist who married an acuity of perception and deep curiosity with a devotional heart and profoundly empathic and skillful relational intelligence. As if that weren’t enough, his strategic creativity in developing and implementing campaigns to transform peoples’ destructive practices and help them become Earth healers made him a profound gift to the oceans, and to advancing water consciousness at large. We will miss you, J., and may your devotional and heartfelt work ripple out far, wide and deep. 

-Nina Simons, Bioneers Co-Founder

Celebrating Wallace J. Nichols at Bioneers

We have been honored to welcome Wallace J. Nichols to share his insights and ingenuity with the Bioneers community throughout the years. Below, we invite you to explore his words and wisdom.

I Wish You Water

The cognitive and emotional benefits of healthy oceans and waterways have been celebrated through art, song, romance and poetry throughout human history. Nichols dives deeper and explores our blue minds through the dual lenses of evolutionary biology and cognitive science, reminding us that we are water, in this 2014 Bioneers keynote:

A Brave New Ocean, or an Ocean Revolution?

In this inspiring presentation from the 2007 Bioneers Conference, Nichols explores how new technologies and large-scale research projects have resulted in an explosion of invaluable information about the health of our ocean planet and what we can do to conserve the 80 percent of biodiversity and 90 percent of global habitat that “Mother Ocean” holds. To change our destructive course, he proposes we must harness this knowledge, make it accessible to everyone and creatively communicate how the state of the oceans is central to the future of life on Earth.

Fall In Love With Water: A Million Blue Mind Marbles

Blue Mind tells the story of humanity’s essential connection to water. Combining cutting-edge neuroscience with compelling personal stories from top athletes, leading scientists, military veterans, and gifted artists, Nichols shows how proximity to water can improve performance, increase calm, diminish anxiety, and increase professional success. Enjoy this excerpt from the book.

On Winning in Turtle Conservation

In this 2014 article, Nichols contrasts his personal indifference toward competitive sports with his fervent commitment to sea turtle conservation. He highlights the perseverance, dedication, and collaborative efforts of the global sea turtle conservation community, acknowledging the challenges and ongoing nature of this work.

Swimming Our Talk: Blue Mind, Ocean Heart

Illuminating the magical underwater world, Jacques Cousteau’s 1960s films and TV show caused a sea change by moving the hearts and minds of tens of millions. Nichols, ocean advocates Philippe and Alexandra Cousteau, and the Truckee High School Envirolution Club are featured in this Revolution from the Heart of Nature podcast episode. Their inspiring stories give good reason for hope, including the scientific fact that we have a blue mind born in and of the ocean to guide us.

Your Brain On Water

In this podcast episode, new ways of understanding our relationship with the world’s oceans and the ability of healthy waters to provide health, happiness and creativity are considered by a panel of athletes, scientists, artists, and adventurers, hosted by Nichols.