Jon Bowermaster
Encyclopedia
Jon Bowermaster— is a noted oceans expert, award-winning journalist, author, filmmaker, adventurer and six-time grantee of the National Geographic Expeditions Council.
in Des Moines, Iowa
, where he worked at the Des Moines Register
for two years as a student. He graduated in 1976 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism
. In 1977, Jon received his master’s degree in public affairs reporting from American University
in Washington, DC.
to work for New Times magazine, before returning to Iowa
as co-founder and editor of the weekly alternative newspaper The Daily Planet (then The Planet).
Living in Iowa
from 1977–1984, he wrote his first book, Governor: An Oral Biography of Robert D. Ray
, and worked in the commercial film business producing industrial films, television commercials and his first documentary films for Iowa Public Television
.
In 1985, Jon moved back to New York, taking a job as managing editor of Record magazine, owned and published by Rolling Stone
. From 1986 to 1998, he worked as a freelance magazine writer for numerous national and international publications, including The New York Times Magazine
, Atlantic Monthly, New Republic
, Outside
, Men’s Journal and many more.
– who had just returned from a historic, unsupported dogsled adventure to the North Pole
. As Steger was negotiating the rights to the story of his upcoming Trans-Antarctica expedition, he introduced Jon to editors at the National Geographic Magazine
who assigned Jon to cover Steger’s seven month long crossing of Antarctica by dogsled in 1989-1990.
, allowed Jon and his teams—comprising some of the world's best photographers, filmmakers, scientists and navigators—to reach corners of the world
rarely seen. The trips were funded primarily by grants from the National Geographic Expeditions Council and corporate sponsors including Mountain Hardwear
, Timberland
and others.
Jon began the project with the dream of visiting each of the seven continents, plus Oceania
. Comprising eight adventures, the long-term project took Jon and his teams to the heart of the Aleutian Islands, down the coast of Vietnam
, through the Tuamotu Atolls in French Polynesia
, across the high plains of Bolivia
/Chile
/Argentina
, and up the wild coastline of Gabon
in West Africa
. Jon explored Croatia's
Dalmatian Coast, and visited Tasmania
in 2006. In February of 2008, Jon and his team completed the final expedition in the 10-year-long project, along the Antarctic Peninsula
.
Stories from each OCEANS 8 expedition resulted in books, magazines, lectures, television programs and educational curriculum for the National Geographic Society
.
, he developed a passion for the continent and has made many trips back since, to both the high, cold interior and along its 600-mile Peninsula. In 2008 Jon completed his ten-year OCEANS 8 project with a trip to the Larsen Ice Shelf
and the Antarctic Peninsula
, which is the subject of his recently released film, TERRA ANTARCTICA: Rediscovering the Seventh Continent. The high-definition, hour-long film chronicles Bowermaster’s exploration of the Peninsula by sea kayak
, foot and small plane and was named the best “Ocean Issues” film at the 2009 BLUE Ocean Film Festival in Savannah, Georgia
in June 2009.
, National Geographic, The Washington Post
, Scientific American
, Men’s Journal, ABC's Good Morning America
, National Geographic Adventure
, The Huffington Post
, Condé Nast Traveler
, Sierra Trading Post, PlumTV, EarthKeepers, Voice of America
, ABC News
, Forbes.com, Canoe & Kayak, Wend, Adventure Kayak, Paddler and Men’s Vogue
2008, Croatia’s “Golden Pen” award
2008, “Birthplace of the Winds,” Best Adventure Travel film, Reel Paddling Film Festival
2007, Santa Barbara Ocean Film Festival, “OCEANS 8” Best Oceans Series
1999, Lowell Thomas award for Environmental Reporting
1998-2008, six grants from National Geographic Expeditions Council
In Production:
Background/Education
Born in Normal, Illinois, in 1954, Jon grew up in suburbs of Chicago and Rockford, Ill., until attending Drake UniversityDrake University
Drake University is a private, co-educational university located in Des Moines, Iowa, USA. The institution offers a number of undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as professional programs in law and pharmacy. Today, Drake is one of the twenty-five oldest law schools in the country....
in Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the US state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small portion of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857...
, where he worked at the Des Moines Register
Des Moines Register
The Des Moines Register is the daily morning newspaper of Des Moines, Iowa, in the United States. A separate edition of the Register is sold throughout much of Iowa.-History:...
for two years as a student. He graduated in 1976 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism
Journalism
Journalism is the practice of investigation and reporting of events, issues and trends to a broad audience in a timely fashion. Though there are many variations of journalism, the ideal is to inform the intended audience. Along with covering organizations and institutions such as government and...
. In 1977, Jon received his master’s degree in public affairs reporting from American University
American University
American University is a private, Methodist, liberal arts, and research university in Washington, D.C. The university was chartered by an Act of Congress on December 5, 1892 as "The American University", which was approved by President Benjamin Harrison on February 24, 1893...
in Washington, DC.
Early career
After graduate school, Jon moved to New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to work for New Times magazine, before returning to Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
as co-founder and editor of the weekly alternative newspaper The Daily Planet (then The Planet).
Living in Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
from 1977–1984, he wrote his first book, Governor: An Oral Biography of Robert D. Ray
Robert D. Ray
Robert Dolph Ray served as the 38th Governor of Iowa from January 16, 1969 to January 14, 1983. He served in the United States Army. He received his B.A. in Business from Drake University in 1952 and his Law Degree in 1954...
, and worked in the commercial film business producing industrial films, television commercials and his first documentary films for Iowa Public Television
Iowa Public Television
Iowa Public Television is a state network of Public Broadcasting Service member non-commercial educational Public television stations in the state of Iowa. A member of the PBS, it is owned by the Iowa Public Broadcasting Board, an agency of the state education department which holds the licenses...
.
In 1985, Jon moved back to New York, taking a job as managing editor of Record magazine, owned and published by Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
. From 1986 to 1998, he worked as a freelance magazine writer for numerous national and international publications, including The New York Times Magazine
The New York Times Magazine
The New York Times Magazine is a Sunday magazine supplement included with the Sunday edition of The New York Times. It is host to feature articles longer than those typically in the newspaper and has attracted many notable contributors...
, Atlantic Monthly, New Republic
The New Republic
The magazine has also published two articles concerning income inequality, largely criticizing conservative economists for their attempts to deny the existence or negative effect increasing income inequality is having on the United States...
, Outside
Outside (magazine)
Outside is an American magazine focused on the outdoors. The first issue debuted in September 1977 with its mission statement declaring that the publication was "dedicated to covering the people, sports and activities, politics, art, literature, and hardware of the outdoors..."Its founders were...
, Men’s Journal and many more.
First National Geographic Assignment
In 1986, Jon befriended polar explorer Will StegerWill Steger
Will Steger is a prominent spokesperson for the understanding and preservation of the Arctic and has led some of the most significant feats in the field of dogsled expeditions; such as the first confirmed dogsled journey to the North Pole in 1986, the 1,600-mile south-north traverse of Greenland...
– who had just returned from a historic, unsupported dogsled adventure to the North Pole
North Pole
The North Pole, also known as the Geographic North Pole or Terrestrial North Pole, is, subject to the caveats explained below, defined as the point in the northern hemisphere where the Earth's axis of rotation meets its surface...
. As Steger was negotiating the rights to the story of his upcoming Trans-Antarctica expedition, he introduced Jon to editors at the National Geographic Magazine
National Geographic Magazine
National Geographic, formerly the National Geographic Magazine, is the official journal of the National Geographic Society. It published its first issue in 1888, just nine months after the Society itself was founded...
who assigned Jon to cover Steger’s seven month long crossing of Antarctica by dogsled in 1989-1990.
OCEANS 8
From 1998-2008, Jon’s OCEANS 8 project, a series of expeditions to explore the world's ocean from the seat of a sea kayakKayak
A kayak is a small, relatively narrow, human-powered boat primarily designed to be manually propelled by means of a double blade paddle.The traditional kayak has a covered deck and one or more cockpits, each seating one paddler...
, allowed Jon and his teams—comprising some of the world's best photographers, filmmakers, scientists and navigators—to reach corners of the world
World
World is a common name for the whole of human civilization, specifically human experience, history, or the human condition in general, worldwide, i.e. anywhere on Earth....
rarely seen. The trips were funded primarily by grants from the National Geographic Expeditions Council and corporate sponsors including Mountain Hardwear
Mountain Hardwear
Mountain Hardwear, founded in 1993, is a California -based company that manufactures outdoor clothing, backpacks, sleeping bags, tents, and gloves. Columbia Sportswear purchased Mountain Hardwear in 2003. The company is headquartered in Richmond, California.-History:In 1993, a small group of...
, Timberland
Timberland
Timberland or variants thereof may refer to:*Timberland, Lincolnshire, a village in Lincolnshire, England*The Timberland Company, manufacturer of outdoor wear*Timberland , a German board game*Timberland Regional Library, a public library system...
and others.
Jon began the project with the dream of visiting each of the seven continents, plus Oceania
Oceania
Oceania is a region centered on the islands of the tropical Pacific Ocean. Conceptions of what constitutes Oceania range from the coral atolls and volcanic islands of the South Pacific to the entire insular region between Asia and the Americas, including Australasia and the Malay Archipelago...
. Comprising eight adventures, the long-term project took Jon and his teams to the heart of the Aleutian Islands, down the coast of Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
, through the Tuamotu Atolls in French Polynesia
French Polynesia
French Polynesia is an overseas country of the French Republic . It is made up of several groups of Polynesian islands, the most famous island being Tahiti in the Society Islands group, which is also the most populous island and the seat of the capital of the territory...
, across the high plains of Bolivia
Bolivia
Bolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America...
/Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
/Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
, and up the wild coastline of Gabon
Gabon
Gabon , officially the Gabonese Republic is a state in west central Africa sharing borders with Equatorial Guinea to the northwest, Cameroon to the north, and with the Republic of the Congo curving around the east and south. The Gulf of Guinea, an arm of the Atlantic Ocean is to the west...
in West Africa
West Africa
West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. Geopolitically, the UN definition of Western Africa includes the following 16 countries and an area of approximately 5 million square km:-Flags of West Africa:...
. Jon explored Croatia's
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
Dalmatian Coast, and visited Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
in 2006. In February of 2008, Jon and his team completed the final expedition in the 10-year-long project, along the Antarctic Peninsula
Antarctic Peninsula
The Antarctic Peninsula is the northernmost part of the mainland of Antarctica. It extends from a line between Cape Adams and a point on the mainland south of Eklund Islands....
.
Stories from each OCEANS 8 expedition resulted in books, magazines, lectures, television programs and educational curriculum for the National Geographic Society
National Geographic Society
The National Geographic Society , headquartered in Washington, D.C. in the United States, is one of the largest non-profit scientific and educational institutions in the world. Its interests include geography, archaeology and natural science, the promotion of environmental and historical...
.
Antarctica
After Jon’s first trip to Antarctica with Will StegerWill Steger
Will Steger is a prominent spokesperson for the understanding and preservation of the Arctic and has led some of the most significant feats in the field of dogsled expeditions; such as the first confirmed dogsled journey to the North Pole in 1986, the 1,600-mile south-north traverse of Greenland...
, he developed a passion for the continent and has made many trips back since, to both the high, cold interior and along its 600-mile Peninsula. In 2008 Jon completed his ten-year OCEANS 8 project with a trip to the Larsen Ice Shelf
Larsen Ice Shelf
The Larsen Ice Shelf is a long, fringing ice shelf in the northwest part of the Weddell Sea, extending along the east coast of Antarctic Peninsula from Cape Longing to the area just southward of Hearst Island...
and the Antarctic Peninsula
Antarctic Peninsula
The Antarctic Peninsula is the northernmost part of the mainland of Antarctica. It extends from a line between Cape Adams and a point on the mainland south of Eklund Islands....
, which is the subject of his recently released film, TERRA ANTARCTICA: Rediscovering the Seventh Continent. The high-definition, hour-long film chronicles Bowermaster’s exploration of the Peninsula by sea kayak
Sea kayak
A sea kayak or touring kayak is a kayak developed for the sport of paddling on open waters of lakes, bays, and the ocean. Sea kayaks are seaworthy small boats with a covered deck and the ability to incorporate a spraydeck...
, foot and small plane and was named the best “Ocean Issues” film at the 2009 BLUE Ocean Film Festival in Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
in June 2009.
Media coverage
Jon’s books, films and adventures have received significant media coverage in a wide-range of outlets including The New York TimesThe New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
, National Geographic, The Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
, Scientific American
Scientific American
Scientific American is a popular science magazine. It is notable for its long history of presenting science monthly to an educated but not necessarily scientific public, through its careful attention to the clarity of its text as well as the quality of its specially commissioned color graphics...
, Men’s Journal, ABC's Good Morning America
Good Morning America
Good Morning America is an American morning news and talk show that is broadcast on the ABC television network; it debuted on November 3, 1975. The weekday program airs for two hours; a third hour aired between 2007 and 2008 exclusively on ABC News Now...
, National Geographic Adventure
National Geographic Adventure
National Geographic Adventure, formerly known as Adventure One but now commonly known as Nat Geo Adventure, is a subscription TV channel part of National Geographic Channels International and News Corporation...
, The Huffington Post
The Huffington Post
The Huffington Post is an American news website and content-aggregating blog founded by Arianna Huffington, Kenneth Lerer, and Jonah Peretti, featuring liberal minded columnists and various news sources. The site offers coverage of politics, theology, media, business, entertainment, living, style,...
, Condé Nast Traveler
Condé Nast Traveler
Condé Nast Traveler is a US magazine published by Condé Nast. It has its origins in a mailing sent out by the Diners Club club beginning in 1953, listing locations that would take the card. It began taking advertising in 1955. In order to attract more advertisers, it became a full-fledged magazine,...
, Sierra Trading Post, PlumTV, EarthKeepers, Voice of America
Voice of America
Voice of America is the official external broadcast institution of the United States federal government. It is one of five civilian U.S. international broadcasters working under the umbrella of the Broadcasting Board of Governors . VOA provides a wide range of programming for broadcast on radio...
, ABC News
ABC News
ABC News is the news gathering and broadcasting division of American broadcast television network ABC, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company...
, Forbes.com, Canoe & Kayak, Wend, Adventure Kayak, Paddler and Men’s Vogue
Men's Vogue
Men's Vogue was a monthly men's magazine that covered fashion, design, art, culture, sports and technology. On October 30, 2008 Condé Nast announced that they intended to fold the magazine into Vogue proper as a bi-annual subscriber's supplement...
Awards and Grants
2009, BLUE Ocean Film Festival, “Terra Antarctica” Best Ocean Issues Film2008, Croatia’s “Golden Pen” award
2008, “Birthplace of the Winds,” Best Adventure Travel film, Reel Paddling Film Festival
2007, Santa Barbara Ocean Film Festival, “OCEANS 8” Best Oceans Series
1999, Lowell Thomas award for Environmental Reporting
1998-2008, six grants from National Geographic Expeditions Council
Filmography
- Birthplace of the Winds: Sea Kayaking Alaska, 2006
- The Lost Coast of Gabon: Sea Kayaking West Africa, 2006
- Around Tasmania: Sea Kayaking Australia, 2006
- Into the Altiplano Part 1: Sea Kayaking Argentina, Bolivia & Chile, 2006
- Into the Altiplano Part 2: Sea Kayaking Argentina, Bolivia & Chile, 2006
- Borderland: Sea Kayaking Croatia, 2006
- A Slow Boat to Somewhere: Exploring French Polynesia, 2004
- The Dangerous Archipelago: Sea Kayaking French Polynesia, 2004
- TERRA ANTARCTICA: Rediscovering the Seventh Continent, 2009
In Production:
- SoLA: A Louisiana Water Story
- What Would Darwin Think? Man Versus Nature in the Galapagos
- Bluefin: In the Wake of Big Tuna
Lectures
- National Geographic SocietyNational Geographic SocietyThe National Geographic Society , headquartered in Washington, D.C. in the United States, is one of the largest non-profit scientific and educational institutions in the world. Its interests include geography, archaeology and natural science, the promotion of environmental and historical...
“Quest for Adventure” Lecture (2008, 2004, 2002, 2001), Washington, D.C. - Royal Geographical SocietyRoyal Geographical SocietyThe Royal Geographical Society is a British learned society founded in 1830 for the advancement of geographical sciences...
, London - The Explorer’s Club, New York
- Aspen InstituteAspen InstituteThe Aspen Institute is an international nonprofit organization founded in 1950 as the Aspen Institute of Humanistic Studies. The organization is dedicated to "fostering enlightened leadership, the appreciation of timeless ideas and values, and open-minded dialogue on contemporary issues." The...
, Aspen, CO - Channel Thirteen/WNET’s Celebration of Teaching and Learning, New York
- American Museum of Natural HistoryAmerican Museum of Natural HistoryThe American Museum of Natural History , located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City, United States, is one of the largest and most celebrated museums in the world...
“Polar Weekend,” New York - Golden Gate Institute, San Francisco
- Adventures in Travel Expo (Seattle, Washington D.C., New York, Chicago)
- Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival, CA
- Santa Barbara Ocean Film Festival (“Best Television Series” award), Santa Barbara, CA
- Macy’s, New York
- REIRei-People:*Rei, the Biblical term for those who retained their allegiance to King David when Adonijah rebelled, as mentioned in 1 Kings 1:8*Rei Hiroe*Rei Igarashi*Rei Kawakubo*Rei Kikukawa*Rei Mikamoto*Rei Munakata*Rei Okamoto*Rei Omishi...
, Seattle, WA - Norwegian Tourism Board
- Croatia Tourism Board
- Cigna Insurance Annual Meeting, New York
- Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival, Banff, CanadaBanff, AlbertaBanff is a town within Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. It is located in Alberta's Rockies along the Trans-Canada Highway, approximately west of Calgary and east of Lake Louise....
- Telluride Mountain Film FestivalTelluride Film FestivalThe Telluride Film Festival was started in 1974 by Bill and Stella Pence, Tom Luddy and Jim Card in the town of Telluride, Colorado, United States. It is operated by the National Film Preserve....
, Telluride, CO - San Francisco Ocean Film Festival, San Francisco