Meet Toni Lohroff | Marine Biologist and Ocean Conservation Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Toni Lohroff and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Toni, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
I think that people “outside” of the marine science and probably most science fields believe that you have to be specially trained to make a positive impact on the environment. Something that I am really passionate about as someone who does have that specialized training is encouraging everyone who cares about the ocean to get involved in it’s active conservation by learning more about it. Whether you learn from books and lectures or experience conservation for yourself through citizen science and volunteering, contributing to this field doesn’t take a degree or a lifetime of knowledge, just an interest to learn and a love for the planet that we call home. With my current work in informal education through The International SeaKeepers Society, I am thrilled to get to make those marine science learning experiences accessible to the local communities here in South Florida.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a marine biologist and ocean conservation educator currently based in Miami. My recent work is through a Miami-based global non-profit organization called The International SeaKeepers Society which focuses on improving access to the ocean for scientists, students, and the community through partnerships with the global yachting and boating communities. With SeaKeepers, I manage the Education and Outreach programs that focus on improving the local community’s understanding of our vital coastal ecosystems and the problems that face them. In my previous research and work through my undergraduate education at the University of Miami (go canes) and my graduate work at the University of California, Davis, I focused heavily on sustainability, natural resource use, and conservation of endangered marine species. What I love about what I do now with SeaKeepers is that it combines all of my passions that I spent years better understanding and allows me to communicate those things to the public – from the local kindergarten student to the seasoned global yacht captain. In doing so, I hope that I can inspire some of that same passion for conserving marine ecosystems to the average citizen, especially here in Miami where we have a significant impact on the overall health of our coastal ecosystems.

While I’m still early on in my career, I have been lucky to have life-changing experiences and meet others in my field who have a similar passion for conserving our blue planet. It’s this network of incredible people with unique skills that allow me and will, I’m confident, allow the field of marine conservation to continue creating success on both local and global scales. Despite the fact that the challenges that we face as marine scientists – a changing climate, pollution, and a loss of biodiversity being a few – prove to be daunting, it’s these people that give us the hope to continue.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I think I’m biased, but my recommendations would definitely be heavy on water-based activities. Since South Florida contains such unique ecosystems, I think capitalizing on the opportunity to experience them should be a priority. Scuba diving reefs and wrecks all down the South Florida coast, snorkeling areas like Fowey Rocks Lighthouse, and kayaking sites like the Morningside Bird Rookery through Morningside Watersports would top my list of recommendations. If you want to get out on a tour of the Bay and see wildlife, the eco-tour vessel River Queen through BJM Rentals is a great option for all ages. Nearshore fishing off of Miami Beach is a personal favorite if you want to get a taste for some of the beautiful coastal fish species you can see here like triggerfish, snappers, porgies, and more – don’t forget to get a fishing license! If you want to get a little more up-close and personal with some of our native wildlife and learn how to protect them, a guided tour of the Pelican Harbour Seabird Station’s wildlife rehabilitation center is a must. Crandon Park or Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park are great beaches if you want to avoid the South Beach crowds. When in doubt, Biscayne and Everglades National Parks offer some of the most unforgettable opportunities to experience South Florida’s conserved wildlife – bonus points if you want to volunteer for something like data collection or invasive species removal! Make sure to use reef-safe sunscreen and follow local wildlife and boating laws if you spend time on the water to keep everyone and everything safe.

To fill in the gaps, some of my favorite spots like Lagniappe House in Wynwood and The Wetlab on Virginia Key would have to be on the agenda for good food and good vibes. For authentic Cuban food, Little Havana is a great spot, and Jeremiah’s Italian Ice or Chill-N Nitrogen Ice Cream are personal favorite dessert options. Pub-subs, of course, are a must for time spent on the water (worth the wait in line). Can’t forget a Pinecrest Bakery cafecito shot to start your day – or end it if you’re into that.

Although, in the end, I’m a transplant in South Florida myself! Every day I have the pleasure of experiencing new things about this place – the culture, the environment, the people – that make me grateful to be here.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
In the true fashion of someone with a passion for education, I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to my high school biology teacher, Lynn “G” Gosson. G taught me a multitude of lessons including the challenges of being a woman in STEM and the importance of learning about the natural world through scientific observation. Above all, Lynn Gosson showed me that I was capable of anything that I wanted to achieve and encouraged me to engage in the learning process by making mistakes and persisting with my passions. Without her encouragement and the access she allowed me to additional resources to fuel my interests, I certainly would not be where I am today. I hope those educators who go above and beyond for their students the way G did for me know the genuine impact you have on our lives!

Website: seakeepers.org

Instagram: itstoni_withani

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/toni-lohroff-ms2022