Kristian Gustavson

Kristian Gustavson is attending the Center for Marine Biodiversity & Conservation at Scripps Institution of Oceanography and hopes to have his Masters of Advanced Studies completed by June of 2011. In the same way that water in the Illinois rivers he explored as a young boy eventually reached the sea, he found his way to the ocean and obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of California San Diego. While enrolled in an independent study program at Scripps during his undergraduate studies, he learned that the Mississippi River that he grew up near is one of the single greatest carriers in the world of non-point pollution to the ocean. The resulting hypoxic “dead zone” in the Gulf of Mexico propelled him into action, launched him on the journey of a lifetime, and helped to form the foundation for Below the Surface.

As a surfer, Kristian has great respect for the ocean and an intimate knowledge and connection with the damage pollution causes. To educate himself and begin to spread knowledge of this problem and work for restoration of the Mississippi, Kristian completed a canoe trip down the lower half of the Mississippi River during massive floods and a major oil spill. This venture was inspired by a similar journey two of his uncles took in 1966; Kristian used the same canoe. Kristian created ‘The 90-Day Plan,’ a series of simple, daily changes that people can make that will lead to clean water. This plan mimics the 90-day retention period of water in the Mississippi River and demonstrates how resilient nature can be if only given the chance.

As the Expedition Leader and Co-Founder of Below the Surface, Kristian has rapidly become a well-known force in the Midwest to improve the quality of water in the Mississippi River. Kristian travels the country giving presentations and exploring solutions to our mounting water concerns. Partnering with political leaders, corporate citizens, academics, non-profits, and the media, Kristian serves as an advocate on behalf of all who live downstream.