Dear WaterBear community,
We’re excited to share a personal message from WaterBear founder @ellenwindemuth ✍️
From the very beginning, WaterBear was built on the belief that storytelling and impact belong together. Together with you, filmmakers, partners, and NGOs, we’ve grown into a global community of more than 700.000 people, reaching millions and turning watch time into real-world action 🌎
Now, we’re building on that legacy and opening up our next chapter.
By joining forces with @our_frame_official , a Swiss non-profit dedicated to impact in audiovisual production and a partner that deeply shares our values, we’re strengthening our ability to understand, measure, and amplify the real-world impact of the stories you create and watch on WaterBear.
This will bring us closer to connecting emotion with evidence, and unlock new ways to engage, understand, and act through WaterBear - turning stories into measurable impact, together.
We can’t wait to share more of what’s ahead, and we’re grateful to be stepping into this next chapter with you, our community 💫
Connected by stories. United by impact.
Read more about the partnership on
I am excited to announce that @sealegacy has just launched a new film on @waterbearnetwork !
The film is about an organization dear to my heart in the Pacific Northwest called @oceansinitiative . They study Southern Resident Killer Whales, a population critically endangered by pollution, declining salmon, and heavy shipping traffic. Their research has shown how vessel noise impacts orcas’ ability to hunt and communicate, and how something as simple as slowing down can make a difference.
For every minute you watch our film on WaterBear, $1 will be donated to Oceans Initiative. Go check it out! The link is in my bio.
Now 88, Paul Youd is proving that it’s never too late to start something extraordinary. 💚
From ultramarathons to animal protection, Paul’s plant-powered journey shows us that meaningful change can begin with a single step—at any age.
Thanks to @planetbasednews for helping spread the word about More Like Paul, our award-winning short documentary about purpose, resilience, and living by example.🌱🏃♂️✨
Because when one person chooses to act with purpose, it creates ripples far beyond the finish line.
Let’s make 2026 the year we all take that first step.
Comment 'Paul' on this post and we will DM you the link to watch the full film for FREE on WaterBear!
“Where our food comes from, the origin stories of our food…I think is one of the most important stories any human can hear.” - Dan Saladino
Dr Debal Deb and THE LAST HARVEST 👉️ Film out now on @waterbearnetwork@youtube and @vimeo
Without the diversity lost to corporate farming, rice is doomed to extinction.
Journalist @dan.saladino meets Dr Debal Deb: the scientist saving thousands of endangered varieties, gifting future resilience to the food that half of humankind relies on.
“I never knew that the little box of my personal stories of agony and joy, pried open by Dan Saladino, would fascinate so many people. When I saw tears in a few eyes of some of these exceptional audience members, I felt blessed and humbled.” - Dr Debal Deb
“We need those drought-tolerant varieties, those varieties that can grow in different challenging conditions, and that’s why the work is so important and so relevant today.” - Dan Saladino
A film by Jason Taylor for @thegaiafoundation
Story by Debal Deb and Dan Saladino
With thanks to @ateamfoundation & @savitritrust
Feeling the weight of Blue Monday? 💙
Let Paul Youd, 88 and on a mission to complete 100 ultramarathons before 100, remind you that even the smallest step can spark change.
No matter how tough today feels, your goals are still within reach. Like Paul, keep moving forward, take action, and never give up on what matters most. 🏃♂️✨
Watch More Like Paul, our award-winning short documentary, for FREE on WaterBear and find a dose of inspiration to lift your day.
Link in bio!
🌊 Big things are happening for marine mammals.
Around the world, we’re seeing real progress — from new protections and policy changes to fresh scientific discoveries that deepen our understanding of whales, dolphins, and other ocean species. All signs that the tide is turning in their favour. 💙
And that’s exactly what our new campaign is here to accelerate.
👉 Watch for Impact: Protect Marine Mammals
Every minute you watch donates $1 USD to support marine mammal research and conservation through Oceans Initiative — the kind of work that makes positive headlines like these possible. @sealegacy@oceansinitiative
If the news gives you hope, let your viewing create even more of it. 🐋🌍
Turning science into real-world change is harder than it might seem. Some research never makes it beyond academic journals. Some critical findings fall on deaf ears. And some scientists are studying things they love, but it doesn’t always translate into actionable solutions.
@oceansinitiative found that sweet spot.
Their work on critically endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales has taught us a lot about the threats these orcas face and, more importantly, what we can actually do about it.
We were so inspired by their work that we made a short film about them.
It’s now live on @waterbearnetwork , and as part of their Watch for Impact campaign, every minute you watch donates $1 directly to Oceans Initiative. How cool is that? Check it out at the link in our bio!
#PacificNorthwest #WatchForImpact #Orcas #Explore
🌍 Turn your attention into action.
Introducing Watch for Impact — the easiest way to make your minutes matter. Every film you watch on WaterBear contributes to verified, real-world conservation actions. No paywalls, no jargon, just stories → minutes → impact.
At WaterBear, we believe that stories can spark change. Now, your time spent watching can help protect wildlife, support communities, and preserve the planet. Every view counts — and together, we can create extraordinary impact.
🎬 Ready to get started? Hit play, explore our curated playlists, and watch your minutes add up.
✨ Stay tuned! 2026 is packed with new Watch for Impact campaigns — more stories, more action, more ways to make a difference.
We’re starting 2026 with reasons to feel hopeful.
From a Scottish bakery offering pay-what-you-can bread, to corals being grown back to life, jaguars returning, whales recovering, greener cities, and communities showing up for each other — these stories remind us that change is already happening.
Small actions. Big impact.
Here’s to a year of people and planet thriving together. 💚
Together, we did something incredible 💛
Thanks to our amazing community, the Watch-for-Impact: Feeding Families campaign reached its goal — and then some. Every minute you watched truly mattered, helping turn screen time into real support for families who need it most.
We’re deeply grateful to @thefelixproject for being such a powerful partner and for the vital work they do every day to fight hunger and food waste. This project wouldn’t have been possible without you.
From preventing plastic from reaching the ocean to turning minutes into meals, our 2025 Watch for Impact campaigns showed what’s possible when people come together with purpose!
Thank you for proving — once again — that impact is better when it’s shared. 💚
Good news to end the year 🌍✨
From animal rights wins and sea turtle-saving tech to stronger worker protections and real-world impact through Watch for Impact, 2025 reminded us that progress is possible and powerful.
As we head into the final week of the year, we’re grateful for this community and everything you helped achieve. Stay tuned for more exciting positive news and impact stories from WaterBear in 2026 💙
Right link in my bio to the playlist:
I am very excited to announce that I am joining WaterBear as a Founding Creator. Look out for lots of amazing stuff in 2026!
As you know the holidays can be a difficult time for many. Which is why I’m hosting WaterBear’s holiday Watch-for-Impact campaign: Feeding Families.
For every minute watched, The Felix Project will provide one meal to those who need it most. Our goal is to roll into the new year by providing over 2000 holiday meals to families. 2026 meals to be exact - as we start the New Year!
It is super simple. Your casual holiday screen time turns into something truly meaningful. We’ve curated a playlist of killer films, documentaries from around the world for you to enjoy over the break …
Enjoy watching, share the playlist with friends and family, and thank you for being part of it.
Big love
M
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