Extreme Ocean Plastic Cleanup, Powered by Geospatial Intelligence

Mapping ocean plastic in the world’s hardest places

From remote coastlines to global ocean systems, how data and field operations converge

Description

What does it take to remove plastic from the most remote and unforgiving coastlines on Earth, and to do it with precision?

This session hosted by Good Machine brings together frontline operators and technologists working at the intersection of extreme cleanup expeditions and advanced geospatial intelligence. From Alaska’s Kayak Island, one of the highest known plastic accumulation zones in North America, to global biodiversity hotspots, new approaches are emerging to map, quantify, and act.

By combining low-tech field operations with drones, machine learning, and geospatial pipelines, these teams are building a more systematic way to understand plastic flows, prioritize interventions, and scale restoration efforts.

A practical look at how data meets reality in some of the world’s most challenging environments.

Run of Show

Opening and context (5 min)Why extreme coastal environments matterFrom isolated cleanups to system-level understandingOcean Plastics Recovery, Kayak Island (15 min)Overview of Kayak Island as a Sentinel SiteField operations and accumulation dynamicsLessons from repeated expeditionsPlastic Odyssey, World Heritage expeditions (15 min)Field-tested cleanup operations in remote environmentsSpecial guest: Ricky Rhodes Preparing next-generation large-scale missionsIntroduction of a new sail-powered vessel for restoration logistics and scientific operationsOrganized Matter, geospatial intelligence (5 min)Data pipelines, mapping, and analysisTurning fragmented data into operational insightsJoint segment, toward a unified approach (10 min)Combining low-tech and high-tech methodsDrone mapping, infrared imaging, machine learningBuilding repeatable models for marine protected areasQ&A (10 min)

Followed by ReefGen demo during break or networking session

Speakers

Dr. Sarafina El-Badry Nance, Astrophysicist & Author, Loft OrbitalAndy Schroeder, Co-Founder, Ocean Plastics Recovery ProjectScott Farling, Co-Founder, Ocean Plastics Recovery ProjectFabien Lamaison, Executive Director, Plastic Odyssey FundRicky Rhodes, Producer & Director, Rhodes FilmMax Konstantinovsky, Founder & CEO, Organized MatterWill Gardiner, Chief Product Officer, Organized Matter

About Co-Hosts Good Machine is a venture studio that invents, deploys, and scales companies that solve the world’s most pressing challenges. We collaborate with global communities to develop tools and technologies that contribute to the common good.Organized Matter is making geospatial operations affordable, accessible, and actionableReefgen develops underwater robots like Grasshopper and Kora to plant seagrass and coral, scaling restoration of marine habitats globallyOcean Plastics Recovery is reversing the flow of plastics into the marine environment, restoring critical habitat so that nature can thrive, and returning ocean plastics to the circular economy. Rodhes Film: Ricky Rhodes is an award-winning director and producer behind Oscar-qualifying films, a UN documentary campaign that helped ratify a landmark global ocean treaty, and Impossible Cleanups, a documentary series with international pre-sale commitments.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ ​Plastic Odyssey is a global nonprofit leading bold expeditions to remove plastic pollution and restore biodiversity in the world’s most fragile marine ecosystems, combining field engineering, research, and education to drive lasting impact.

​Plastic Odyssey Fund is the U.S. nonprofit connecting donors, foundations, and partners to Plastic Odyssey’s global missions. Based in San Francisco, it funds and supports projects operated by Plastic Odyssey’s international entities to scale ocean restoration efforts worldwide.SF Climate WeekBy registering for this event, you agree to share your registration information with the organizers of SF Climate Week.