Webinar

Learn to Draw Deep Ocean Ecosystems

February 2025

In this nature-based art lesson, we dove into the deep end to discuss one of the most endangered ecosystems: Deep Ocean Ecosystems! The diverse marine life that thrives here lives among unique environments like hot hydrothermal vents or cold-water corals. They may be difficult to visit, but deep ocean ecosystems can be found right off the coast of Vancouver Island!

Scientific illustrator Dr. Julius Csotonyi and special guest Megan Davies, walk us through a detailed lesson about these unique ecosystems.

Explore resources from the art lesson

Learn more about deep ocean ecosystems with this fun, printable worksheet. Ideal for learners Grade 4 and up!
Send your artwork to your local representative to help care for at-risk ecosystems. You can find your local representative here.
Call for a provincial law that prioritizes biodiversity and ecosystem health. You can send a letter using our letter-writing tool.
Learn how to say ocean in the language of the Indigenous community on whose territory you live. Visit FirstVoices.com to find words, songs and stories about the ocean from different First Nations.
Deep ocean anglerfish species that live off the BC coast.
Video of a humpback anglerfish.
Learn about Julius’ deep sea expedition to Explorer Ridge.
Learn more about our education program.

Did You Know?

B.C. is the most biodiverse province in Canada but doesn’t have a provincial law to protect endangered species or their habitats. Let’s change that.

take action for biodiversity today

Meet the Speakers

Dr. Julius Csotonyi

Dr. Julius Csotonyi is a scientific illustrator and natural history fine artist. He has a scientific background in ecology (MSc) and microbiology (PhD) which has taken him to study sensitive ecosystems, from sand dunes in the Rocky Mountain parks to hydrothermal vents at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean.

These experiences have fuelled a strong resolve to work toward preserving the earth’s biota. Painting biological subjects is one means that he uses to both enhance public awareness of biological diversity and to motivate concern for its welfare.

He paints murals and panels that have appeared in numerous museums (e.g. the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History), press release images for scientific publications, books, stamp sets (e.g. the 2018 “Sharks of Canada” set for Canada Post), and coins for the Royal Canadian Mint. His work is viewable on his online gallery, http://csotonyi.com

Megan Davies

Megan Davies is a deep-sea scientist, educator, and science communicator finishing her MSc in Biology at the University of Victoria. Her research focuses on long-term monitoring of deep-sea marine protected areas to help guide the conservation of invertebrates facing climate change threats. She has participated in deep-sea expeditions, including a mission to the Mid-Atlantic Ridge that discovered three new hydrothermal vent sites. She is dedicated to making deep-sea science accessible through education, outreach, and creative collaborations that integrate science, art, and Traditional Ecological Knowledge.