IWD Spotlight Series: Callie Veelenturf

This International Women’s Day, we’re shining a light on the inspiring women driving change in ocean conservation, science, and communication. Across the globe, women are at the forefront of protecting our blue planet—leading groundbreaking research, advocating for marine life, and empowering future generations. To conclude this series, we are honoured to feature a conversation with Callie Veelenturf—an inspiring marine conservation biologist and dedicated advocate for the Rights of Nature.

Callie’s work has led to groundbreaking environmental protections, particularly in Panama, where she has played a key role in shaping laws that recognise sea turtles as legal entities with specific rights.

As the Founder of The Leatherback Project, she has worked tirelessly to protect marine turtles and their ecosystems, collaborating with indigenous and marginalised communities to drive real change. Her influence extends beyond the field, with her research and advocacy featured in major media outlets, including The Washington Post, CBS News, and Smithsonian Magazine.

Join us as we speak to Callie about her journey, the challenges and triumphs of marine conservation, and how she empowers others to use their voices in the fight for environmental justice.

Thanks so much for speaking to us Callie. First off, can you tell us what inspires you to work in ocean science and what you hope to achieve? 

How is it that we know more about the surface of mars than we do about the depths of the oceans? It's exciting to think that there is so much left to explore and discover about marine wildlife and the ocean. Additionally, the ocean is our life support system. Every other breath of air we take comes from oxygen produced by the ocean. It is the breathing, pulsing key to our existence on this blue planet. But when we think of nature, most people think of forests and terrestrial species. The vast blue expanse of the oceans has a universally calming, peace-inducing effect on the human race, yet for ocean wildlife actually living below water, a one-sided war is raging. The oceans aren’t big enough to escape the impacts of human activity. From plastic pollution to fisheries bycatch, overfishing, climate change, ocean acidification, and habitat destruction. Imagery of floating garbage patches the size of Texas, entire reef systems destroyed, and endangered species endlessly caught in fishing gear devastated me. I was empowered to turn my despair into action. I wanted to study marine biology to bring ocean conservation to the forefront of people’s minds. We have so much work to do.  

I hope to spread the message that we must be inconvenienced for the sake of positive change and that we must act in line with the urgency of the climate and ecological crises, as individuals, as countries and as a species. I hope to be able to continue to spread inspiring messages for change in a wide variety of scientific, public, and international settings. I hope to continue to advance the Rights of Nature through science based proposals and ethical arguments, country by country, and spread a message of urgency #ForNature. I desire to continue to catalyse the advancement of the Rights of Nature specifically in the ocean through applications of the framework to protect marine ecosystems and species. I desire to equip other marine scientists with the skill sets and understanding they need to apply the Rights of Nature in their fields of influence. I dream of a world where the Rights of Nature are recognised nationally and at a United Nations level, and where Nature is considered in all levels of decision making. I will dedicate my life to pursuing this vision.

And if you had to pick one thing you love most about the ocean, what would it be?

What I love most about the ocean is its awe-inspiring, mysterious nature. It's a vast, living system where ancient creatures like leatherback turtles and sharks have roamed for millions of years, where deep-sea ecosystems thrive in complete darkness, and where every dive or expedition has the potential to reveal a new species or unlock secrets about our planet’s past. 

Is there a crazy ocean fact you sometimes think about in the middle of the night. 

It's specific, but I can never believe that eels' closest evolutionary relatives aren't other snake-like fish, but actually tarpons and bonefishes: big, silvery fish that look nothing like eels, yet share a bizarre, transparent leptocephalus larval stage! 

Haha you're right, specific but cool! And how can people find out more about you and your work?

They can follow the leather back turtle project on social media @leatherbackproject and they can follow me/my work at @callieveelenturf.

Championing Women, Protecting Our Oceans

Our conversation with Callie has been a powerful reminder of the impact one person can have in shaping the future of conservation and environmental justice. Through her unwavering dedication to marine ecosystems and the Rights of Nature, Callie continues to inspire change, proving that advocacy, science, and collaboration can lead to groundbreaking protections for our planet. Her journey exemplifies the resilience and passion needed to drive meaningful environmental action.

As we conclude our International Women’s Day blog series, we reflect on the incredible women who have shared their stories, insights, and experiences with us. From conservationists to leaders in various fields, each interview has highlighted the importance of using our voices to challenge the status quo, uplift others, and create a more inclusive, sustainable world.

Though this series comes to an end, the conversations and lessons continue. We hope these stories have inspired you to take action, champion change, and celebrate the women leading the way. Let’s keep the momentum going—because when women rise, the world rises with them.