Sara T González / Washington DC, 2025
Washington DC, Estados Unidos · septiembre 2025
- Entrevistada
- Sara T González
- Duración
- 7:07
Weaving the Unseen: Seaweed Forests, Cicada Songs, and the Magic of the Invisible World
When we step outside, we often define nature by what is immediately in front of us: a towering tree, a blooming flower, or a scenic landscape. But what if the true heartbeat of the Earth lies in the things we cannot see? What if «weaving the earth» means connecting not just with the visible world, but with the invisible wonders under our feet and beneath the ocean waves?
In our latest conversation for Naturólogas, we dive deep with Sara T. González, a marine biologist, researcher, and avid walker. Sara invites us to look at the world with a sense of radical curiosity, to find clarity under the open sky, and to remember that the smallest details of nature—from microscopic soil organisms to giant kelp forests—are all working together to sustain our lives.
1. Diving Into the Unseen: The Ocean Beneath the Surface
For Sara, nature is a grand tapestry of interactions. It encompasses everything living—plants, animals, and people—as well as the non-living elements like water and air. Yet, her work as a marine biologist has taught her that the surface only tells half the story.
Having scuba-dived to collect samples and run experiments in California, Chile, Norway, and South Africa, Sara has spent years exploring a world most of us never get to see. Studying seaweeds and kelp has given her a profound appreciation for the «invisible» parts of our planet. Now, when she goes outside, she doesn’t just appreciate the trees; she thinks about the microbes in the soil and the complex marine ecosystems beneath the waves, all weaving together to support our atmosphere.
2. Childhood Wonders: The Symphony of the 17-Year Cicadas
Sara’s love for the natural world was sparked by a very unique childhood experience in suburban Maryland. Backing up to a partial forest, her backyard was a playground of curiosity. When she was ten years old, she experienced her first emergence of the famous 17-year cicadas.
While most people found the massive, buzzing insects annoying or gross, young Sara was absolutely fascinated. She loved looking closely at their chunky bodies, their wings, and their bright eyes. Supported by her parents, who bought her insect guidebooks to help her identify and learn about bugs, this experience taught her to find beauty where others saw discomfort. It taught her that every creature, no matter how small or misunderstood, has a vital place in the earth’s natural cycles.
3. Movement as a Catalyst for Clarity and Creativity
In our busy, urban lives, we often struggle to find moments of mental peace. Sara finds her sanctuary through simple, daily movement. Whether she is walking through the humid summers of Washington D.C. or biking along the coast to her research lab, movement is her key to unlocking creativity.
She compares biking under the wide-open sky to those classic «shower thoughts»—moments when your mind is idle, free, and open to finding solutions to the day’s puzzles. For Sara, having green spaces, urban parks, and quiet courtyards in our cities is not a luxury; it is a necessity that gives us a place to sit, observe, and let our minds wander freely.
4. The Lorax’s Promise and Simple Everyday Respect
To anchor her environmental values, Sara holds close a classic childhood memory: memorizing and presenting Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax to her class. The timeless quote from the book has guided her path: «Unless someone like you cares a whole lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.»
Sara believes that respecting nature doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It starts with a spectrum of simple, everyday choices:
- The Bare Minimum: Leaving spaces exactly as you found them and refusing to litter.
- Slowing Down and Shifting Habits: Choosing to walk, bike, or take the bus instead of driving, reducing our daily trash, and choosing to eat less meat and more vegetables.
- The Five-Minute Rule: Taking just five minutes every single day to step outside—or even just look out a window—to look at the clouds, the sun, or a tree. This tiny pause can completely transform your day.
5. Contagious Passion and the Women of the Sea
When asked where she draws her own inspiration, Sara points directly to pioneering women in marine conservation, particularly the legendary Dr. Sylvia Earle. Having heard her speak, Sara describes her passion as absolutely contagious. As one of the first women to scuba dive when almost no women were in the field, Sylvia Earle has witnessed the changing face of our coastlines and continues to inspire generations to protect the blue heart of our planet.
For Sara, this work of sharing stories and exploring nature is what feeds the soul, creating a continuous loop of inspiration that keeps us moving forward together.