Do you love Marine Animals?

What You Can Do speaks with Marilyn from the Parker Manatee Aquarium about marine mammals and what we can do to protect them and their habitat.

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Produced by - On the Leesh Productions
Shot and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Edited by - Amanda Blohm
Additional Footage Courtesy of Shutterstock Inc.

For more information about On the Leesh, please visit: http://www.ontheleesh.com/

For more information on What You Can Do, please visit:
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For more information on the Parker Manatee Aquarium, please visit:
Website - www.southfloridamuseum.org/theaquarium
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SouthFLMuseum
Twitter - https://twitter.com/SouthFLMuseum

Ever heard of Red Tide?

What You Can Do talks with Marilyn Margold from the Parker Manatee Aquarium about what Red Tide is, how it affects the oceans, and what we can do to help.

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What You Can Do talks with Marilyn Margold from the Parker Manatee Aquarium about what Red Tide is, how it affects the oceans, and what we can do to help.

Produced by - On the Leesh Productions
Shot and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Edited by - Amanda Blohm
Additional Footage Courtesy of Shutterstock Inc.

For more information about On the Leesh, please visit: http://www.ontheleesh.com/

For more information on What You Can Do, please visit:
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/whatyoucando
Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/whatyoucando
Other YouTube Channel - http://www.youtube.coom/whatyoucando365
Blog - http://www.whatyoucandoseries.blogspo...
Pinterest - http://www.pinterest.com/1minette
Website - http://www.whatyoucando.com

For more information on the Parker Manatee Aquarium, please visit:
Website - www.southfloridamuseum.org/theaquarium
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SouthFLMuseum
Twitter - https://twitter.com/SouthFLMuseum

Find out about the effects of Global Warming on our oceans

What You Can Do talks with Marilyn Margold from the Parker Manatee Aquarium and Jim Covel from the Monterey Bay Aquarium about the ways our changing climate affects the ocean and the many forms of life connected to it. 

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Shot and Directed by - Amanda Blohm
Edited by - James McGann
Additional Footage Courtesy of Shutterstock Inc.

For more information on What You Can Do, please visit:
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/whatyoucando
Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/whatyoucando
Other YouTube Channel -http://www.youtube.coom/whatyoucando365
Blog - http://www.whatyoucandoseries.blogspo...
Pinterest - http://www.pinterest.com/1minette
Website - http://www.whatyoucando.com


For more information on the Monterey Bay Aquarium, please visit:
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/montereybayaq...
Twitter - https://twitter.com/montereyaq
YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/MontereyBayAqu...
Seafood Watch Program -http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr...
Website - http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/

Snooty the Manatee: Senior and Loving it

What You Can Do speaks with Parker Manatee Aquarium's Marilyn Margold about Snooty, the oldest manatee in captivity, reaching his 65th birthday, and what he teaches us about manatees as a species.

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Shot and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Edited by - James McGann
Additional Footage Courtesy of Shutterstock Inc.

For more information on What You Can Do, please visit:
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/whatyoucando
Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/whatyoucando
Other YouTube Channel - http://www.youtube.coom/whatyoucando365
Blog - http://www.whatyoucandoseries.blogspo...
Pinterest - http://www.pinterest.com/1minette
Website - http://www.whatyoucando.com

For more information on the Parker Manatee Aquarium, please visit:
Website - www.southfloridamuseum.org/theaquarium

Clean Up Our Beaches

What You Can Do talks with Marilyn from the Parker Manatee Aquarium's about the importance of keeping our beaches clean.

Learn what you can do to help, and don't forget to participate in International Coastal Cleanup day on September 21.

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Shot and Directed by - Alicia Arinella
Edited by - Amanda Blohm
Additional Footage Courtesy of Shutterstock Inc.

For more information on What You Can Do, please visit:
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/whatyoucando
Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/whatyoucando
Other YouTube Channel - http://www.youtube.coom/whatyoucando365
Blog - http://www.whatyoucandoseries.blogspo...
Pinterest - http://www.pinterest.com/1minette
Website - http://www.whatyoucando.com

For more information on the Parker Manatee Aquarium at the South Florida Museum, please visit:
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/SouthFLMuseum
Twitter - http://twitter.com/SouthFLMuseum
Website - http://www.southfloridamuseum.org/TheAquarium.aspx

For more information on Buick Audra, please visit:
Website - http://www.BuickAudra.com
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/buickaudramusic
Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/BuickAudra

Bird is the Word for Going Plastic Free

What You Can Do speaks with Monterey Bay Aquarium's Sarah-Mae Nelson about the remarkable bird that inspired her to live without plastic for a year.

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Shot and Directed by - Amanda Blohm
Edited by - James McGann
Associate Producer - Melissa Jernigan
Additional Sound - Melissa Jernigan
Additional Footage Courtesy of Shutterstock Inc.

For more information on What You Can Do, please visit:
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/whatyoucando
Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/whatyoucando
Other YouTube Channel -http://www.youtube.coom/whatyoucando365
Blog - http://www.whatyoucandoseries.blogspo...
Pinterest - http://www.pinterest.com/1minette
Website - http://www.whatyoucando.com

For more information on the Monterey Bay Aquarium, please visit:
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/montereybayaq...
Twitter - https://twitter.com/montereyaq
YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/MontereyBayAqu...
Seafood Watch Program -http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr...
Website - http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/

Our June 2013 Newsletter

Dear Friends,  What You Can Do is spending this summer honoring our oceans from coast to coast.  Recently, we made trips to The Parker Manatee Aquarium at The South Florida Museum and The Monterey Bay Aquarium to interview their experts on the current health of our oceans, and what people can do to help.  Our videos spotlighted the issues of climate change, plastics, sustainable seafood, and the human impact of overfishing and trash disposal.  More importantly, we highlighted one minute ways to make an impact and help.  In addition, on June 22nd, What You Can Do's video: Help Fight Hunger in New York City, featuring one of our favorite organizations, Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen, screened at the Manhattan Film Festival in Greenwhich Village.  Thanks to the festival for including us. We had a blast! Wish you and yours a happy kick off to the summer,  The On the Leesh Team A few weeks ago, Amanda visited The Monterey Bay Aquarium to interview experts on the most pressing topics affecting our oceans today.  First up, Amanda interviewed Jim Covel, the Senior Manager of Guest Experiences, about the state of our oceans and ocean health in general. All the choices we make affect our oceans.  Everything from the pesticides we use on our lawns, the cars that leaks oil onto pavement, and the cleaning products that we choose for our homes, all will eventually run off into our seas. Even if you're in the middle of the country! Check out the video to learn how you can help make better choices to protect one of our most valuable resources.  Next up, Ryan Bigelow, outreach manager for the Seafood Watch Program, explained that we have already lost over 85% of the big fish in our oceans. According to the aquarium, catching fish faster than they can reproduce may be the single biggest threat to ocean ecosystems. Downloading the app or a pocket guide  from Seafood Watch, allows consumers to make better choices at restaurants and supermarkets.  Making better choices and talking about the issue of overfishing will help bring back fish populations.  It has worked to bring back Swordfish and Chilean Sea Bass, so let's give it a try! Watch this video to find out more.     Thanks to The Monterey Bay Aquarium for such a warm welcome, and to everyone who got involved in the conversation on Facebook.  Be sure to subscribe to us on YouTube. UP NEXT July continues What You Can Do's dedication to our oceans.  We're traveling to Bradenton, Florida to interview Marilyn Margold at The Parker Manatee Aquarium at The South Florida Museum.  The Parker Manatee Aquarium is the home to the ambassador of Manatees, Snooty. He's turning 65 this year, so stay tuned to find out who you can celebrate manatees in his honor.  Marilyn also discusses the biggest threats to our marine wildlife and how we can help make a difference.    If you're an artist, we're holding a contest in honor of our oceans in New York City. We're seeking works of art made from recycled plastic that will be featured as part of a show at Bushwick Coffee House, a coffee shop in Brooklyn, NY. The contest will culminate in an event and concert with the Sea Monsters on July 20th.  Write us at info@ontheleesh.com for more information.     Be sure to write in and share your ideas on how to protect our oceans!

What You Can Do Series Celebrates Our Oceans in June and July

What You Can Do Series Celebrates Our Oceans in June and July

June 3, 2013 – New York, NY – The What You Can Do series dives into ocean conservation this June and July, revealing easy ways to help preserve the beauty of our coasts for future generations. The series will feature inspiring work of activists from the Monterey Bay to the Florida shore, focusing on critical ocean concerns such as pollution, wildlife health and sustainable seafood. Check out the video launch of the Oceans campaign here: http://youtu.be/Z0SOQdnlD8U.

“Our team traveled to both coasts to discover the latest issues affecting our oceans and simple ideas to take positive action,” shared Jessica Arinella, What You Can Do creator and producer. “From buying sustainable seafood to packing a beach picnic with reusable items, we can make a big impact with small changes.”

To spotlight one of the biggest threats to oceans, What You Can Do announces the competition “Plastic Art for a Healthy Ocean”. The contest invites artists to submit a 2D or 3D ocean-inspired piece using primarily plastics and other mixed media. At an event on July 20^th at the Bushwick Coffee House in Brooklyn, NY, the What You Can Do team will announce the winner of a $100 cash prize and matching donation to an ocean conservation charity. Event details will be announced on the What You Can Do Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/whatyoucando. For contest details, visit:https://www.theartlist.com/art-calls/plastic-art-for-a-healthy-ocean.

What You Can Do will screen at The Manhattan Film Festival on June 22 at 1pm, for more information, visit:http://www.manhattanfilmfestival.org. The Webby Awards named What You Can Do as an official honoree in the Public Service and Activism category for 2013. The series also received the 2012 Humanitarian Award from the Accolade Competition in recognition of the mission to help change the world, one minute at a time. Houston World Fest, the oldest independent film and video festival in the world, presented What You Can Do with a Gold Remi Award for Television Commercials/Public Service Announcements in 2013.

Produced by On the Leesh Productions in New York City, the What You Can Do web and television series spotlights easy and powerful ways to help solve important issues such as rainforest preservation, climate change, hunger and animal cruelty. The series has been featured in Better Homes & Gardens, The Daily Green web site, Mrs. Green’s World radio show andVideography Magazine. To view What You Can Do episodes and for more information, visit:http://www.whatyoucando.com.

On the Leesh Productions is a New York City based company that creates film, web series and corporate video. For more information about On the Leesh, visit: http://www.ontheleesh.com/.

Media Contact:                                                                Sponsorship Contact:

Ashley Kaufman                                                               Kristin Thomas

ashley@eluxpr.com                                                       KristinReniseThomas@gmail.com

336.255.7565                                                                      704.369.1492

Amanda’s First Beach Clean Up

Mission accomplished! I finally partook in my first beach clean up, and it was a success! I don’t think I could have asked for a more gorgeous day in NYC. The sun was shining, there was a light breeze, it wasn’t hot or cold, but despite the beautiful weather, there was A LOT of trash to be picked up!

I arrived at Brooklyn Bridge Park at 1:00pm, which was low tide. There were many other friendly faces of individuals from all walks of life ready and eager to pitch in. Our leader, Sarah, provided us with large trash bags, gloves, tools for picking up the garbage, and waders (those funny looking waterproof pants held up with straps that have shoes attached) for those of us daring enough to venture out into the water. We were also supplied with clipboards and checklists, provided by the Ocean Conservancy, to document the items we collected. This data is crucial to the Conservancy to monitor not only how much trash is being collected, but also what kinds are more prevalent in what areas, and other trends.

At first glance, the beach looked fairly clean to me. However, once I really started looking around, I felt like I wasn’t traveling very far very fast because there were so many small things hidden in the rocks. It was kind of like looking at the stars. Once you look at one really hard, you notice so many more around it. Except, of course, this was trash.

The vast majority of what I picked consisted of cigarette butts and plastic items such as straws, water bottle caps, and pieces of food packaging. There were a lot of glass bottle caps as well. In addition, other cleaners found a tire, fishing net, plastic bags, glass, etc.

I concluded that if we can all just stop smoking and using plastic, the impact that these small changes would have on the environment would be astonishing.

I was very inspired to see how eager everyone was to help out. There was an immediate sense of community, and it was very enjoyable because everyone who was there sincerely wanted to be. Everyone was working hard to clean as much as they could, and by the number and size of trash bags that were piled at the end of the day, I was shocked at how much trash everyone collected! This was a great bonus to the wedding that crashed our clean up. I’m sure they were very thankful for the newly cleaned shore to have as a backdrop for their ceremony.

I left the beautiful Brooklyn Beach Park clean up with a warm fuzzy feeling (and no it wasn’t just a sunburn) because I had helped make a difference, even if it was very  small in the grand scheme of things. Looking at the beach while packing up my belonging, I noticed a visible difference. It truly is amazing what we can all accomplish together! I encourage all of you to participate in a clean up. If you aren’t by a coast, clean up a park or marsh, or anywhere there may be trash, which should be very easy to find!

I was able to get some footage of the clean up, so stayed tuned for the video!

For more info, check out the Ocean Conservancy, or head to the Brooklyn Bridge Park's website. Here's a link to clean up sites in NYC too: http://www.alsnyc.org/

If life's a beach, let's keep it clean!

Growing up in California’s Bay Area, I have always had great love, awe, and appreciation for the ocean. Thinking about it now, the seed of my fascination with the ocean may have been planted when I saw my first movie in theaters, The Little Mermaid. After seeing it, and of course watching it over and over again at home, I always regarded the ocean’s undulating surface as an expansive blue curtain shielding another world filled with creatures beyond our wildest imagination.

While I am not a believer in mermaids, yes it’s unfortunate; I still regard the ocean with the same astonishment that I did when I was a child. I spent about 8 years of my young life dreaming of being an oceanographer. Why didn’t I fulfill my dream you ask? It all came to an end on career day when I listened to a real life oceanographer speak for the first time. I fell asleep to him talking about plankton, and mind you I rarely fell asleep in class, and I awoke to him still talking about plankton. He then ended his speech saying “Remember kids, don’t do it for the money”. I left the classroom knowing that was, in fact, not the career path for me. However, I still love the ocean, and know that we must do something NOW to help reverse the damage we have caused to the health of our oceans and all of it’s inhabitants.

Hearing about floating plastic land masses the size of Texas in the middle of the ocean, seeing pictures of birds covered in oil from recent oil spills, and watching the documentary The Cove, is enough to break my heart and make me sick thinking about how humans have trashed, disrespected, and taken advantage of our ocean. Our health is directly linked to its health, which is why I strongly believe we need to do something, together as a human race, and also as individuals on a daily basis.

I was going to pack this blog post with scientific facts about the ocean’s current state, but really do I need to? We all know the ice caps are melting, the ocean is littered with plastic, and its inhabitants are dying because of man made plastic materials and fishing equipment. The ocean also recently received a 60 out of a possible 100 as it’s current overall health score. I know for a fact that if I went home to my Mom with a 60 as my grade on a test, she would be very disappointed. That’s not a score that makes it onto the refrigerator.

While I can sit around all day worried about the state of ocean, I’m going to put my money where my mouth is. I will be participating, and filming beach clean ups over the next two weekends here in NYC, and dedicating my blog posts to reporting back all that I discover.

There are so many simple things we can do to make a difference. For example, and this is one I’ve really been trying to work on myself, let’s ban the plastic bags! Let’s also stop buying water bottles, or at least limit the amount we do buy, replacing them with reusable containers. Lastly, at the very least, let’s make sure to pick up our trash!

Here are a couple links to websites with detailed info about our ocean’s current condition.

Ocean Facts

Ocean Health Index

I look forward to participating in my first beach clean-up, and encourage all of you out there, be it near the coast or not, to pick up trash. Maybe even just one piece of trash everyday, even if it’s not yours. Think about what a difference that would make if we all actually did it!

I’ll be reporting back next week, so stay tuned!