Our Story
The OctoNation Story
Think back to your favorite teacher…the one who peaked your interest about a subject, made you even more curious to learn on your own, broke down complex topics in a super fun way, and genuinely cared about your success.
This is how OctoNation founder Warren Carlyle imagined learning about the ocean from one of the most ancient creatures on the planet, the octopus.
In the New York Times Bestselling Book, The Soul of an Octopus, Sy Montgomery (pictured above) explains that the octopus was consistently misrepresented in movies. They were characterized as slimy & menacing creatures who would attack people & ships— but that wasn’t their story.
Octopus ruled the oceans before dinosaurs— In fact, there are over 300 species with various super powers that make them masters of their environments.
Wanting to learn even more, Warren looked around for organizations to join, but many focused on alarming visuals of widespread pollution or frankly disempowering images of endangered animals.
We believe this isn’t a sustainable way to educate in today’s current environment.
French explorer Jacques Cousteau said it best. “We only protect what we love, we only love what we understand, and we only understand what we are taught.”
OctoNation was created to foster love for the ocean through the lens of the octopus.
Our nonprofit’s mission works to inspire wonder of the ocean by teaching the world about octopuses.
“We must create new & exciting opportunities to empower this generation of smart phone learners– the future of ocean literacy is pairing fascinating visuals & easy to share information. This creates a more sustainable relationship than marketing based on fear” – Warren Carlyle
Consider supporting OctoNation’s mission today!
Now with over 600,000 members and content that reaches millions weekly, we collaborate with underwater photographers, artists, marine biologists, aquarists, and organizations who are inspired by the octopus and our mission.
Octopus Teeth: The Tiny Chainsaw Inside an Octopus’ Mouth
Did you know octopuses come equipped with their own built-in “chainsaw”? YUP! Octopus teeth—Mother Nature really outdid herself on this one! These eight-armed wonders and
Octopuses Punch Fish That Cheat During Hunts, New Study
In the waters of the Red Sea, fishes and octopuses appear to work together to hunt for tasty treats. However, some fish can get a
Octopus Skin Care Secrets Revealed: It’s All About the Bacteria!
Ever wonder what keeps octopuses looking so fabulous under the sea? It turns out, they’ve got a special version of a skin[care] routine — bacteria! A
“That Octopus Book” Remarkably Bright Creatures is Becoming a Movie!
Octopus Fans! Shelby Van Pelt’s novel Remarkably Bright Creatures, affectionately known as “that octopus book,” is officially being adapted into a feature film on Netflix!
Bringing Octopus Education to STEMfest at Mayborn Museum!
Last week, OctoNation’s nonprofit team made a splash at STEMfest in Waco, TX for the third year in a row! This popular, free community science
Book Giveaway: “Secrets of the Octopus” & Bonus interview!
[Update 3/18/24: Submissions Closed] 🐙 🎉 OctoNation is beyond thrilled to offer our community a chance to win one of the newest National Geographic octopus
