ABOUT COASTVIEW
About CoastView
CoastView invites you to explore the stunning coastlines of Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, and California through captivating images and stories that reveal the hidden beauty and ecological richness of North America’s Pacific shores.
CoastView is a member of the National Association of Science Writers
Our Mission
Through CoastView, we aim to foster appreciation and understanding of Pacific coastal ecosystems, inspire conservation efforts, and share the wonder of these remarkable shorelines with scientists, educators, policy makers, and ocean enthusiasts alike.
The Imagery
Most of our coastal imagery comes from the innovative ShoreZone program, which systematically mapped the intertidal shorelines of Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon. Using low-flying helicopters during the lowest tides of the year, ShoreZone captured continuous video coverage and intermittent digital still photographs of these dynamic coastal zones. These images serve as more than just beautiful snapshots—they form the foundation of geographic information systems used to map coastal features and intertidal habitats for research and conservation. Learn more about ShoreZone and how the mapping is done.
Images from Washington feature more recent photography acquired by the Washington Department of Ecology, offering updated views of the state’s diverse shorelines. Explore their coastal monitoring program and methodology.
Our California imagery comes from the California Coastal Records Project, providing comprehensive visual documentation of the Golden State’s iconic coastline. Discover more about this initiative.
The Team
CoastView was developed in 2016 by Dr. G. Carl Schoch, Amalie Couvillion, and Mario Pilz, bringing together expertise in marine science, technology, and design to make coastal exploration accessible to everyone.
The Stories
The articles featured on CoastView are written by Dr. G. Carl Schoch, a marine scientist whose work has shaped our understanding of coastal ecology and revolutionized shoreline mapping technologies along the Pacific coast. With approximately 808 publications citing his research (according to Google Scholar), Dr. Schoch’s contributions through ShoreZone have created invaluable resources for marine conservation, coastal management, climate change adaptation, and community education.
Dr. Schoch’s passion for exploration extends beyond his scientific pursuits. An avid adventurer and competitive rower, he completed a remarkable 1,500-mile solo rowing journey through the Inside Passage from Skagway, Alaska, to Victoria Island, BC, in 2024, documented here.