Honoring the Ocean: Geoffrey C. Smith on Ocean Conservation

Geoffrey C. Smith receives the Florida Oceanographic Conservation Award

Take a deep breath. Feel that? About 70% of the oxygen in that breath came from the ocean.

Sea Life Monument located at Florida Oceanographic Center

It’s a fact that surprises many—and one that underscores just how vital our oceans are to life on Earth. We often think of the sea as a place of beauty and recreation, but it’s also our planet’s life support system. And like anything we depend on, we need to take care of it.

If you only count the tangible goods and services the ocean provides—like seafood, shipping routes, and tourism—it would rank among the top ten economies in the world, generating over $2.5 trillion annually. But that’s only part of the picture. When you factor in everything the ocean does for us—oxygen production, climate regulation, coastal protection—its true value soars above $24 trillion. That’s not just an impressive number. It’s a call to action.

This spring, I had the honor of receiving the Florida Oceanographic Society’s Conservation Award. To be recognized by a group so deeply dedicated to protecting our coastline and marine ecosystems is both humbling and energizing.

Florida Oceanographic’s work—through research, education, and advocacy—is exactly the kind of stewardship we need more of. Their team is on the front lines, empowering people to understand and protect our blue planet. That’s why gatherings like this matter. Because while we may be preaching to the choir, the choir needs to sing. And sing loudly.

For me, that song comes through art. My work has always been about connection—between people, wildlife, and the places we share. Whether I’m sculpting a whale or filming Sandhill Cranes in the wetlands west of Lake Okeechobee, I find inspiration in wild places. There’s always some serendipity. Always something new to observe, learn from, or honor.

Sculptures like the Stuart Sailfish Fountain and the Sea Life Monument at FOS aren't just made of bronze; they represent a shared love for Florida's wild beauty. One of the most meaningful parts of that journey has been creating art that lives in public—art that people engage with, remember, and even carry home with them in spirit.

This year’s Oceans Alive gala brought together so many incredible people—conservationists, supporters, and friends from across the Treasure Coast. It was about the mission that binds all of us who care about the natural world: protecting the ocean and the ecosystems that depend on it. The Florida Oceanographic Society shared a few kind words from the evening, which you can read in full in the Patina Journal.

Art has a unique power to connect people to nature. To spark awe, curiosity, and a sense of responsibility. That’s the heartbeat behind everything I do.

To those of you who support Florida Oceanographic Society: thank you. Your commitment makes a real difference. Stuart is lucky to have this organization as a cornerstone of the community, and I’m grateful to be part of their mission.

Treasured Reef for FOS by Geoffrey C. Smith

—Geoffrey C. Smith