Panterra Eco-Expeditions

I moved to PEI in August and am attending University here. I love it. Right now I’m getting my science degree and plan on becoming a high school physics teacher. (Maybe one day you can take my class to Mexico).

I just wanted to let you know that your advise of “never walk on eggshells” has helped me a lot in making my decision to move here. I kept thinking of you and finally said, it’s my life and I need to be happy with what I’m doing, and made the decision to come here. Thank you so much for your excellent advice. I’ve been here 5 months now, and have never for one second regretted my decision.

What you are doing matters. Not just teaching kids about marine life but teaching us about life in general. Thank you so much. I will never forget my time on the boat.

In 2005 I participated in the Journey to the Sea of Cortez expedition with my school. My initial thoughts were that it was going to be an amazing trip, where I would see and learn some really cool things. The experience I had rose above and far beyond that. It took me a few years to fully realize the impact that you, your staff and the program had on me, but you have truly blown my mind.

You showed me that humans aren’t the most important things on this earth, and we have a responsibility as creatures with the ability to have the greatest impact on our environment, to go out into the world and make positive changes. We are part of a system far greater than we are, and every living thing deserves the right to quality of life just as we expect it for ourselves.
I’m now studying at the University of British Columbia – Okanagan campus in Kelowna. After two years of being totally uninterested in general arts, I decided to take a year off and look at what really mattered to me. I realized that I want to work in wildlife conservation with a focus on endangered species. For such amazing creatures to be threatened because of human-related factors is not something that I can comfortably sit and see happen. I’m now pursuing a degree in zoology, and afterwards I’m planning on obtaining a degree in conservation as well.

This past summer, I worked for the Gibsons Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre on the Sunshine Coast. Orphaned, sick, and injured animals were what we cared for and treated. The dedication and passion these people worked with was absolutely inspiring, and further drove me to pursue a career in the wildlife field.

I guess what I really wanted to say, was thank you. Thank you for opening my eyes to the world around me, and the importance in protecting it. You stated in your bio on the Panterra website that “your goal throughout your career has been to make a difference in the lives of students you’ve come in contact with, turn them on to further learning, and instill in them the great importance and responsibility of being the future guardians of our planet”. Mission accomplished. I never thought anyone could ever have such an impact on the course my life would take, but you have become that person. Thank you so much for everything and if there’s any way that I can get involved, please let me know.

My daughter was one of the lucky students from her school that was one of those diving kids that you so fondly talked about.

I just wanted to thank you and all your staff for the wonderful care that you provided for the kids. It was a life time opportunity that they had. Nicole came back with a different out look on life and in a much more positive way, and that to me, as a parent means so much.

Again, my heart full thanks and please keep up the good things that you do. You are all angels.

As a prairie youth, there was not much opportunity to pursue my passion in marine biology, however, my participation in a Panterra education program changed all of that. In 1990, at the age of 13, my grade eight junior high teacher got us involved with a Panterra program. It was a life changing experience. It was a fun and inspiring learning setting, and Lela and her crew were inspiring as young women active in marine education.

It was my introduction to sailing at sea, and the skills you need for safety. When I returned, I was prepared with a clear idea of what direction I wanted to head in, but more importantly, I was beginning to gain the skills and experience necessary to work in the field of marine biology.

The influence Panterra has had on my life continues today thanks to Lela and her dedication to helping youth who went through the program. I continued to pursue marine biology, and through Panterra I have gained employment and training both in biology and boating skills that has made my success with current employment in the field of marine mammals possible.

My dreams are coming true, and this is greatly due to Panterra. Through the caring environment and a focus on learning and fun. Panterra really touches youth and brings out the best in them.

The people who I got to meet on these amazing trips were incredibly knowledgeable, and I am honored to call them my friends. The crews of the boats were outgoing, entertaining and wonderfully hospitable. They definitely made the boat our home away from home! They not only provided us with everything we needed but they taught us amazing things by sharing their own incredible stories of the ocean with us. Lela, the leader of the trip made each minute exciting with her vast bank of knowledge of everything we encountered. We learnt about everything from the whales, the fish, the birds, to the people, and even the land. This was my third trip with Panterra.