An ocean conservancy effort by Bay Area youth is trying to get other kids involved — with inspiration from Ghostbusters.
The group of 10- to 13-year-olds just started their project and have been finding quirky ways to get people excited about it, such as donning full Ghosbusters' outfits for their visit to the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, California.
The Heirs to Our Oceans (HTOO) project is hosted by the nonprofit Via Senti, which has partnered with the production company Spine Films, to show how young people are learning about ocean conservation.
The group is currently based in the San Francisco Bay Area and will be focusing their research on Northern California and the nation of Palau in Micronesia.
However, they hope the documentary will be a call to action to others.
Charley Peebler, a young activist who goes by the name "Whale Warrior" in the "Heirs to Our Oceans documentary" teaser, talked about their vision at a Sharktober celebration held by the Pacifica Beach Coalition in October.
“We’re saving our oceans through a movement and a movie,” Peebler said. “We really need kids all over the nation to help with this project.”
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She’s not only excited for this to happen for the others taking part, but said she enjoys seeing the excitement among adults watching their efforts.
The trailer follows Peebler as well as other Heirs such as Arjuan, the "Debris Destroyer," Cambria, the "Sea Keeper" and more members learning about the issues ranging from marine animal protection to botanicals.
In one scene, Dakota, or "Doctor Sea Otter," was filmed on a visit to Dr Melissa Miller, a Department of Fish and Wildlife veterinarian, examining a dead sea otter to find out the cause of death.
It follows the group's advocacy efforts as well, with scenes of them clearing plastics and other waste from beaches as well as holding signs on the side of the road.
The group is still raising money for more filming, but has an inside look of the project on its website and is encouraging youth "to take matters into their own hands by acting as scientific investigators in their own areas."
They also call on adults to be encouraging of efforts by youth and to be supportive in sharing their findings.
Heirs to Our Oceans' documentary is expected to be released late next year or in early 2018, according to HTOO Executive Director April Peebler.
