Project Overview
Ocean Wise is a conservation-focused organization running multiple programs to engage citizens and organizations in protecting our oceans. To centralize efforts and improve digital engagement, they launched app.ocean.org, a multi-application platform. The goal was to unify tools like the Whale Report app and Shoreline Cleanup initiative into a shared, scalable platform that could be actively maintained, improved, and extended.
As part of the support and integrations team, I was responsible for ongoing platform maintenance and leading development for key modules: Shoreline Cleanups (2023) and Whale Report (2024).
Project Scope
The scope included:
- Building and maintaining two major modules: Shoreline Cleanups and Whale Report
- Handling integrations with Salesforce for user and data management
- Supporting authentication workflows via Auth0
- Ensuring platform stability and scalability through CI/CD pipelines, observability, and testing
- Continuous iteration through monthly updates and performance enhancements
Each module had tight deadlines and stakeholder involvement:
- Shoreline launched in 2023 with major visibility.
- Whale Report followed in mid-2025, replacing the older legacy system.
Unique Features
- Real-Time Citizen Science Data Collection
Whale Report allows users to submit whale sightings in real time, contributing to marine safety. - Cleanups Tracking & Mapping
Shoreline app tracks cleanups across Canada with filters, location requests, and data collection tools. - Advanced Observability
Logging, Sentry error tracking, and automated rollbacks ensure robust issue detection and recovery. - Browser-Based Notifications & Alerts
The platform sends alerts both on desktop and mobile browsers. - Accessibility & Filtering Enhancements
Post-launch updates added better filtering, location selection, and accessibility improvements.
Technology Stack
- Frontend: Next.js, React, TanStack Query
- Backend/Integrations: Salesforce, SQL, Auth0
- CI/CD & DevOps: Azure Pipelines, GitHub Actions, Cursor, Sentry
- Monitoring: Logs + Sentry for real-time crash & error tracking
- Automation: AI-assisted code reviews reduced regressions by 28%
We used modern full-stack tooling and implemented automated testing to gate deployments, boosting overall code reliability.
Challenges
The biggest hurdle was timeline pressure—both modules had tight deadlines and high stakeholder involvement. For Shoreline Cleanups in 2023 and Whale Report in 2024, we faced heavy expectations and limited time.
How We Solved It:
- Split the workload into focused team deliverables
- Built an MVP first, then iterated quickly with testing
- Implemented strong CI/CD pipelines to automate testing, deployment, and rollback
- Used AI tools to catch issues early, cutting regressions and accelerating review time
Client & Team Collaboration
We worked closely as a cross-functional team with regular check-ins and internal reviews. The use of AI-assisted tooling improved our code review process and gave us more bandwidth to handle feedback from Ocean Wise’s team efficiently. Observability features were added in direct response to client concerns, improving real-time visibility and incident response.
Results & Impact
🌊 Shoreline Cleanups:
- 36,000 Volunteers Engaged Annually
- 1,600+ Cleanups Each Year
- 67,000+ Kg of Waste Removed Yearly
- 1,000+ Kilometers of Shorelines Cleaned Annually
These numbers reflect a significant national impact and a major win for environmental engagement.
🐋 Whale Report:
- 800+ Users Already Active
- Over 30,000 Sightings Submitted Each Month
- Fully replaced the legacy system as of last week
While still early, the new Whale Report system is already seeing solid usage.
Post-Launch Support
We continue to roll out monthly updates, including:
- Improved maps and filtering in Shoreline Cleanup
- Accessibility improvements across the board
- Browser-based notifications and in-app alerts
- New location-based features
- Ongoing enhancements for the Whale Report module
Final Thoughts
This project is a great example of what’s possible when conservation meets clean engineering. From launching citizen-powered tools to streamlining integrations and deploying features safely, the work has supported a national initiative to protect marine life—and it’s only getting better with each release.
