Simone in Bonaire, N.A. April 2011
Simone Lipscomb is a writer and photographer who focuses on the relationship between humans and nature. She is an avid scuba diver and cave diver and brings experiences from the watery realms into her work. SUP boarding is an important part of her life that keeps her closely connected with bodies of water and the ecosystems they create.
Simone’s first book, Sharks On My Fin Tips: A Wild Woman’s Adventures With Nature, is a collection of essays on her relationship with nature and how adventures cave diving, hiking, mountain biking and otherwise engaging with nature created positive change in her life. It was published by Grateful Steps Publishing, Inc.
Place of Spirit, is a collection of beautiful photographs of the natural world paired with short pieces of poetic prose. A fullness of spirit is found within all aspects of nature and in humanity. Explore this important truth with Simone in this prayerful book celebrating the Earth. The final chapter of Place of Spirit contains images of the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Simone’s experiences while documenting this environmental disaster.
Crack Light is Simone’s third book, a collaboration with poet Thomas Rain Crowe. TRC’s beautiful poetry and Simone’s images combine to create a powerful portrait of Appalachia. This book was published by Wind Publishing, Inc.
During her documentation of the oil spill at the Gulf Coast Simone felt like kids were being left out of discussions. Nobody seemed to be addressing their anxiety and concern over their coast. In answer to this oversight by the media and local communities, Simone created a children’s book called, The Gulf Oil Spill Story. This illustrated poem provides kids of all ages a clear account of what happened and how we can avoid disasters such as this in the future. The book is dedicated to inspiring children to love the Earth and be compassionate caretakers of our planet.
Place of Spirit, Sharks On My Fin Tips, Crack Light and The Gulf Oil Spill Story are available on Simone’s website, Turtle Island Adventures.com
Simone: Your videos on Youtube are poignant and truly capture the beauty of our coast and the horror of what it faces. Thank you for being a voice calling attention to tragedy the wildlife and environment are facing with each second as this oil disaster develops.
Simone,
I watched each of your YouTube videos and must say that the feelings you expressed about the oil spill and how it has effected and will effect nature, wildlife and our earth seem very similar to mine.
I am angry, upset that I see oil cleanup crews gathered in bunces in staging areas when they should be on the beach, on the shorelines of our bays and estuaries cleaning up the oil and looking for oil wildlife to report.
I cannot understand why the crews only work 20 minutes and then break for 20 minutes while at the same time, I understand the hazards of extreme heat to humans. I believe the workers are too encumbered by regulations, regulations that probably dictate they must wear hot protective suits. If one is careful, it seems that long boots to the knees would be enough protection?
I could go on and on but let me say I want to thank you for spreading the word by your website and your videos.
I firmly believe that once our citizens become involved, once they become vocal, once they take some action to improve the situation, then something gets done to make this a better place for humanity as well as the precious environment and countless species of wildlife.
Thank you. !
Thank you for the first hand perspective of what is truly transpiring down in the Gulf. Not an hour goes by where I am not thinking of the tragedy that is unfolding and how the Gulf environment will be affected years to come. I can only say we are watching and have just dontated to the clean up efforts. This event must minimally serve as wake up for all of us to demand corrupt government agencies such as the Mineral Managment Servces to brough to justice. As for BP their negligence will I hope lead to their downfall after we squeeze every last penny out of them to clean up this environmental diasater. I wish you strength in the days and months ahead..