Christine Hoekenga

Christine Hoekenga
Christine Hoekenga
Christine Hoekenga, Ocean Portal Community Manager

Christine joined the NMNH Department of Education and Outreach in the Fall of 2009 after having served as a Museum Specialist in the Office of the Sant Chair for Marine Science. She holds a dual bachelor’s degree in media studies and environmental science from Willamette University and a master’s degree in science communication from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Christine has experience working as an environmental journalist, a freelance science writer, and a conservation organizer and advocate for nonprofits. Despite growing up in land-locked Nevada, Christine is also an avid SCUBA diver with experience conducting marine research in the field and the lab.

Collaborator Contributions

Green Sea Turtle, Armeñime, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain

Green Sea Turtle in the Canary Islands, Spain

I have been to this location many times, but no other photo has come out like this one composed with the sun behind a turtle’s head.” -- Nature's Best photographer, Pedro Carrillo.

See more beautiful ocean photos in our slideshow of winners from the 2010 Nature's Best Ocean Views photo contest.

Three Killer whales (Orca) swim along side researchers.

Researchers Studying Killer Whales

Researchers from the SOCAL-10 research partnership study the behavior of orcas (commonly called killer whales) and how they react to sonar.

Red Crab Migration, Christmas Island, Indian Ocean

Red Crab Migration, Christmas Island, Indian Ocean

“The largest land migration of any animal on Earth, as many as 120 million crabs carpet the island in red as they move from the rain forest to the coast.” -- Nature's Best photographer, Stephen Belcher.

See more beautiful ocean photos in our slideshow of winners from the 2010 Nature's Best Ocean Views photo contest.

Dwarf Minke Whale, Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Dwarf Minke Whale, Great Barrier Reef, Australia

“Moments after its eyes emerged from the water for a ‘spy hop,’ this whale slowly descended in my direction and came as close as six feet before it dove away.” -- Nature's Best photographer, Steffen Binke.

See more beautiful ocean photos in our slideshow of winners from the 2010 Nature's Best Ocean Views photo contest.

Kilauea Volcano, Kalapana, Hawaii, USA

Kilauea Volcano, Kalapana, Hawaii, USA

Kilauea Volcano, Kalapana, Hawaii, USA “In the upper left of this image I can visualize the profile of Pele, the fire goddess of Hawaiian folklore, as if she is whispering to the sea.” -- Nature's Best photographer, Peter Lik.

See more beautiful ocean photos in our slideshow of winners from the 2010 Nature's Best Ocean Views photo contest.

Surfer at Bogue Banks, North Carolina, USA

Surfer at Bogue Banks, North Carolina, USA

“As I set up for a sunset shot—one last, solitary surfer exited the water and I quickly fired a few frames trying to capture the serenity of the moment.” -- Nature's Best photographer, Karen Doody.

See more beautiful ocean photos in our slideshow of winners from the 2010 Nature's Best Ocean Views photo contest.

Leatherback Sea Turtle, Playa Grande, Costa Rica

Leatherback Sea Turtle, Playa Grande, Costa Rica

“Leatherback turtles are critically endangered, and this young hatchling is a symbol of hope for their future.” -- Nature's Best photographer, Jason Bradley.

See more beautiful ocean photos in our slideshow of winners from the 2010 Nature's Best Ocean Views photo contest.

Black Skimmer, Nickerson Beach, Long Island, N.Y., USA

Black Skimmer, Nickerson Beach, Long Island, N.Y., USA

“I visited the beach at sunrise after high tide and found this skimmer feeding, providing me with this reflected shot.” -- Nature's Best photographer, James A. Galletto.

See more beautiful ocean photos in our slideshow of winners from the 2010 Nature's Best Ocean Views photo contest.

Giant Pacific Manta Ray, Roca Partida Sea Mount, Revillagigedos Islands, Mexico

Giant Pacific Manta Ray, Revillagigedos Islands, Mexico

“Manta rays sometimes approach divers; an up-close encounter with such a huge, peaceful animal is unforgettable!” -- Nature's Best photographer, Deborah Smrekar.

See more beautiful ocean photos in our slideshow of winners from the 2010 Nature's Best Ocean Views photo contest.

Sunset at Ecola State Park, Near Cannon Beach, Oregon, USA

Sunset at Ecola State Park, Near Cannon Beach, Ore., USA

The receding tide left a multitude of starfish in tide pools clinging to exposed rocks along the shore. The rich hues matched the colors of the setting sun against the textures of the rocky beach.” -- Nature's Best photographer, David E. Becker.

See more beautiful ocean photos in our slideshow of winners from the 2010 Nature's Best Ocean Views photo contest.