In heartbreak, we acknowledge the passing of Dr. Wallace J. Nichols – distinguished marine biologist, esteemed author, and creator of the Blue Mind Movement. J's revolutionary work in marine biology and influential book, Blue Mind, have left an indelible mark and changed our awareness of the role water plays in our lives. The entire Changemaker family will miss him deeply.

Formerly a senior scientist at Ocean Conservancy, J holds a M.E.M. degree in Natural Resource Economics and Policy from Duke University and a Ph.D. degree in Wildlife Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Arizona. He received a Bradley Fellowship to study the impacts of sea level rise at Duke University Marine Lab, a Marshall Fellowship while at the University of Arizona, and a Fulbright Fellowship to study at the Universidad Autonoma de Mexico marine station in Mazatlán. In 2011 he was inducted as a Fellow National member of the Explorers Club. In 2014 he received the University of Arizona's Global Achievement Award. J has authored more than 200 publications, lectured in more than 30 countries and nearly all 50 states, and appeared in hundreds of media outlets including NPR, BBC, PBS, CNN, MSNBC, National Geographic, Animal Planet, Time, Newsweek, GQ, Outside Magazine, USA Today, Elle, Vogue, Fast Company, Surfer magazine, Scientific American, and New Scientist. His book Blue Mind, published in summer 2014 by Little, Brown & Company, quickly became a national bestseller. It has been translated into numerous languages, most recently Mandarin, inspired a wave of media, practical application and a global movement. J’s home on California's Slow Coast—a rural stretch of coastal mountains overlooking the Monterey Bay where organic strawberries rule, mountain lions roam and their motto is "In Slow We Trust"—had become a storied gathering spot for deep thinkers, conservationists, moguls and artists.  Among the many structures and wild spaces that the CZU Lightning Complex fires of 2020 claimed, was this home. J communicated the news to his oldest daughter, who had days earlier left for college, in this letter (published by Outside Magazine)—now a children’s book about resilience. Among the things J teaches us, is that everything is fluid.  What he gets jazzed about the most is helping to change the conversation about, well, you name it: adoption, architecture, the Arts, business, community organizing, design, education, fishing, fundraising, health care, hospice, leadership, neuro conservation, non-profits, oceans, parenting, plastic pollution, real estate, recreation, sea turtles, slow food, surfing, technology, travel, urban planning, water, and well-being.   

Dr. Wallace J. Nichols (J) has been called an entrepreneurial scientist and water warrior, one who commits to helping others access their “blue mind state.” 

Outside Magazine has called him "a visionary."

His visionary ideas inspire others to find a deeper connection with nature and embrace inventive approaches to issues ranging from protection of ocean life to global water supply to the emotional wellness benefits of time spent on or near the water.

“Nichols’ strength is inspiring people to remember why they care…” 

— Conservation Magazine