The Cowabunga Initiative
making complex environmental science accessible, engaging, and actionable
Cowabunga likes chasing sheep, making vanilla milkshakes, and collecting funny-shaped rocks. In his spare time, he animates himself because he thinks it is better than chewing his cud or falling down wells (which once happened when he went looking for water). Although he is not the most graceful cow, he has excellent intentions. If you would like to send him an ice cream machine, he can send you the address to his meadow.
Meet Cowabunga!
Cowabunga Initiative
Cowabunga Initiative is a multimedia environmental awareness and storytelling project that uses creative media to educate people, especially children, about climate change and sustainable solutions. Its central focus is reducing methane emissions from livestock, particularly by raising awareness of research showing that adding certain types of seaweed to cattle feed can dramatically reduce methane production.
Flipbook:
Cowabunga Rhyming Poem and Spoken Word
3rd Place in Mattie Stepanek Poetry Contest
CreateConnectCare International Gallery Publication
Official Selection, 2025 MY HERO International Film Festival
Film Gold Key for Cowabunga!
Mattie Stepanek Finalist Award
Cowabunga Hand-drawn Animation
This 175-frame hand-drawn animation was created using FlipaClip and CapCut, with each frame individually illustrated and edited to bring the story to life. Just 15 seconds of animation required approximately two hours of work.
An international film festival asked my teacher and her students to share their tips to illuminate how they won so many awards for their creations. Admittedly, I procrastinated last year and did not turn in my stop motion film in time, but I made it up this year by creating two little films and sharing my tips for how I transformed from not knowing how to animate at all to making something I hope you find enchanting.
screened by Jim Henson’s daughter’s 48hr Puppet Project and on the Green Feather Foundation YouTube Channel
Part of MY HERO documentary, “Woe, tips be upon ye,” funded by a $500k grant from the Scripps Family Fund
Animation Tips & Get Off Your Rump Tips
