Angela Kemsley shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Angela, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
“Normal” isn’t really in my vocabulary these days, and that’s exactly how I like it! My role as Director of Conservation Impact at WILDCOAST means every day brings something new and exciting.
One day, you might find me at my computer, deep in the world of grant writing, working to secure the crucial funding that fuels our conservation efforts. The next, I could be out on the water, cruising in a boat as we visit our incredible marine protected areas. We’re often “ground-truthing” our radar systems and collecting vital data on everything from majestic whales and seabirds to microscopic plankton.
And then there are the truly wild days! I might start my morning knee-deep in mud, actively restoring our precious local wetlands. By the afternoon, I could be swapping my boots for a suit, hopping on a plane, and heading to Sacramento to meet with senators to advocate for stronger conservation policies. It’s a dynamic mix, and it’s all in a day’s work when you’re passionate about protecting our coast and ocean!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Angela Kemsley, and I have the immense privilege of serving as the Director of Conservation Impact for WILDCOAST. My personal journey with conservation began right here in San Diego, spending countless hours exploring the tidepools and beaches. It truly is a joy to now dedicate my career to protecting the very places that shaped my childhood.
At WILDCOAST, we are an international team that conserves coastal and marine ecosystems and addresses climate change through natural solutions.
We achieve this ambitious mission through a diverse array of programs. We work to protect and restore crucial blue carbon ecosystems like salt marshes and seagrass beds, which are powerful natural carbon sinks. We’re dedicated to strengthening California’s network of marine protected areas and championing overall ocean health. Our efforts also extend to establishing private coastal conservation reserves for desert wilderness, protecting and restoring critical mangrove forests, safeguarding vital sea turtle nesting beaches in Mexico, conserving vibrant coral reefs, and combating plastic pollution through cleanup and recycling initiatives. I directly oversee our impactful US-based conservation programs, including marine debris and US Oceans.
What makes this work so captivating is the dynamic nature of the ecosystems we protect. They constantly challenge us to innovate and get creative in finding the most effective conservation strategies. And honestly? Getting to see whales breaching and baby sea turtles hatching as part of my job isn’t so bad either!
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
While there have been many impactful moments, one particular experience that profoundly shaped my world view happened throughout my childhood. Every summer, my family and I would trade the San Diego heat for the cool embrace of MacKerricher State Park in Fort Bragg, Northern California. This campground, nestled between towering redwoods and the vibrant Pacific, was pure magic. I spent my days exploring tidepools along the boardwalk, picking wild blackberries, and participating in the Junior Ranger program. I was convinced I was the greatest defender of the ocean, a belief solidified by the coveted official patch I earned each summer.
One particular summer, my young, scientific mind was captivated by the whale skeleton displayed outside the visitor center. I remember comparing the bones in the whale’s fin to those in my own hand—they were remarkably similar. It was a moment of deep, almost spiritual connection. Resting my tiny hand on those enormous bones, I truly felt my place in the universe for the first time. Right then and there, I made a silent promise to always do my part to protect these majestic creatures, a commitment so strong I even convinced my parents to buy me a glow-in-the-dark whale skeleton shirt to show it off!
Decades later, it’s incredibly powerful to realize that the very beach where I learned about fascinating creatures like by-the-wind sailors and admired iridescent abalone shells is now one of the marine protected areas I help conserve through my work. It’s a full-circle moment that reminds me every day why I do what I do.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
“Giving up” is a powerful thought, and honestly, there was a time I came incredibly close—right before I landed my dream job at WILDCOAST. The journey into science, particularly for women, can be incredibly challenging, and breaking into the competitive field of ocean conservation felt, at times, almost impossible.
My path was definitely a winding one, fueled by an unshakeable passion for the natural world. I spent years immersed in environmental education at Cuyamaca Outdoor School, then honed my communication skills as a tour guide at the San Diego Zoo, eventually working part-time in the Community Engagement Lab at the Zoo’s Institute for Conservation Research. I volunteered extensively at the Birch Aquarium, soaking up every bit of knowledge I could. Academically, I pursued Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution alongside Biological Anthropology at UCSD, and later earned my Master’s in Biology with a specialty in social ecology from Miami University in Ohio. It was during my Master’s that I even had the incredible opportunity to intern with WILDCOAST.
Despite this extensive background, and excelling in terrestrial conservation, I had been trying to break into ocean conservation for the better part of a decade with no luck. All the feedback from my ocean-related volunteer work was incredibly positive, yet the doors just didn’t seem to open. It was disheartening, to say the least.
Then, a month after graduating with my Master’s degree, a full-time position opened up at WILDCOAST. It felt like a sign. I applied, reminding them during the interview about the fantastic intern I had been. The waiting period was agonizing. The day they said I would hear from them came and went, and I tried to convince myself that it was fine, to ignore the persistent pull of the ocean on my heart.
But then, the very next morning, the phone rang. It was WILDCOAST, offering me the job. Almost a decade later, here I am, still passionately working to protect the very ecosystems I dreamed of safeguarding. It was, without a doubt, worth every moment of the wait. It taught me that sometimes, the most rewarding paths are the ones that test your resolve the most.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What do you believe is true but cannot prove?
My dog can teleport her toys from one room to the other. They are everywhere!
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I knew I only had 10 years left, I would stop asking for permission all the time. In the world of conservation, especially when you’re deeply committed to protecting the intrinsic value of nature, sometimes you just need to get in there and do it.
Our planet’s ecosystems and the incredible species they support possess inherent worth, regardless of whether human systems or policies currently recognize it. There’s a powerful and often urgent need to act decisively, even if it means challenging the status quo or pushing against systems that don’t yet fully grasp the critical importance of nature. True conservation impact often stems from that conviction—the courage to forge ahead, innovate, and protect what’s essential, rather than waiting for every single green light. It’s about being bold enough to lead the change you want to see.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://wildcoast.org/
- Instagram: @wildcoastcostasalvaje
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelakemsley/
- Twitter: @WILDCOAST
- Facebook: @WILDCOASTCOSTASALVAJE
- Youtube: @WILDCOAST
Image Credits
WILDCOAST
