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.
What Does An Octopus Feel Like?
So, what does an octopus feel like? Read on to get a better sense of not only what but WHY an octopus feels the way it does!
How An Argonaut Shell Is Spun Out Of Their Arms
Today, Danna Staff is going to teach us all about the Argonaut shell! Is it true – do they make their own shells? Let’s find out.
Dumbfounding Flapjack Octopus Facts You NEED To Know!
What looks like a Pokémon character and has little wing-like ear flaps (the fins)? The Flapjack Octopus! Let’s take a swim and learn Flapjack octopus facts.
Do Octopus Have Tongues?
Is it true? do octopus have tongues? Read on, and you’ll learn what an octopus, a garden snail, and your cat all have in common!
‘Artist Spotlight’ Of The Week: Karl Saar
Howdy Nation! In today’s post, we are going to be featuring our ‘Artist Spotlight’ of the week: Karl Saar. He is the owner of Kustom
Watch Out – That Octopus Is Throwing Things!
Have you ever seen an octopus throwing things? Well, neither have we! Now’s your chance to see it with your own two eyes. It’s a must!
