First published 2020
California creates the nation's first complete network of ocean parks. From Oregon to Mexico, 124 Marine Protected Areas now guard the state's waters. Photographer Jasmine Swope travels the entire 1,100-mile coastline to document these underwater sanctuaries. She captures kelp forests, rocky tide pools, and protected waters where marine life flourishes without human interference. Author Dwight Holing writes original stories to accompany each image. Together they reveal how these ocean parks mirror land-based national parks in their wild beauty and conservation mission. The parks shelter wildlife from fishing pressure while offering solutions for climate problems and recreation for visitors. Swope's lens shows readers fragile seascapes that most will never see firsthand, creating awareness about marine conservation and inspiring action to protect these waters.
Genres: nature, art, adventure, environment, non-fiction, photography
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: conservation, nature, photography
Setting: California, Mexico, Oregon
Period: 21st-century
96 pages · Hardcover · Nazraeli Press