Fisheries scientist David Levy publishes his memoir!
Congratulations to long-time Skunkworks’ client, David Levy, on the publication of his memoir, Swimming Upstream: A Fish Biologist’s Journey. David’s book is a celebration of nature told through the eyes of a self-professed fish-a-holic and the lens of boundless curiosity that has marked his storied scientific career.
We first met David in 2011 when he came knocking on our door for help building a website to showcase his fisheries consulting business. We built him a straightforward HTML site that suited his needs and he’s been coming back to us for ongoing website support ever since. In late October, David wrote me an email that started, “Brace yourself for an information dump.” And. “holy mackerel” (ha) he was NOT wrong. Turns out our scientist by day, passionate fishing enthusiast most of the rest of the time had turned his hand to writing his memoirs and was looking for help to showcase his soon to be published book. We were of course delighted and honoured to be asked to come on this new adventure with him. It is extremely gratifying when clients keep coming back for more (thank you David!).
As with most personal passion projects there is a lot of emotion and strong ideas about what should and should not be included in terms of design and content. Lucky for us David is a person who listens thoughtfully to input and makes considered choices. The result of our collaboration with David is here: davidlevy.ca/swimming-upstream/.
Enough about us. Let’s talk about this humble, funny, and wise fisherman who also happens to be a world class scientist and champion of environmental conservation. Insert drumroll here.
All about our client David Levy
David’s career as a fisheries scientist has spanned decades, taking him from the rugged coastlines of British Columbia to the far reaches of the globe. In Swimming Upstream, he offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the life of a scientist dedicated to protecting our natural world.
A Journey of Science, Discovery and (of course) Fishing
More than just a professional chronicle, this memoir is a deeply personal narrative. David shares the challenges and triumphs of navigating the “upstream” battles of conservation—balancing rigorous science with the complex realities of policy, industry, and environmental change.
From his early days as a student to becoming a leading voice in salmon conservation and environmental consulting, David’s story is one of perseverance. Readers will find themselves immersed in:
- The Beauty of the Field: Vivid descriptions of the ecosystems David has spent his life studying.
- The Scientific Process: An honest look at the persistence required to find answers in a changing climate.
- Life Lessons: Reflections on what it means to follow a passion against the current.
- Entertaining Stories: As a scientist and avid fisherman David had been all over the globe in pursuit of knowledge and the ultimate fishing experiences. His book takes you along for a ride around the world highlighting people and places that taught him lessons, made him laugh, and appreciate the amazing natural world in which we live.
Why You Should Read It
Whether you are an aspiring scientist, a nature lover, or someone who appreciates a well-told life story, Swimming Upstream is an inspiring read. It reminds us that while the path to protecting our environment is often steep, it is a journey worth taking.
Get Your Copy
We are so proud to have David as a client and to see his life’s work captured so beautifully in print.
You can learn more about the book, view photos from David’s career, and find out where to purchase your copy by visiting his official website.
Congratulations again, David, on this incredible milestone! We can’t wait for the world to dive into your story and we are honoured that you chose us to help you design and develop your book site.
