Malin as an Artist
I’ve always had a love for animals and I’ve painted for as long as I can remember. As a child, growing up in Sweden, I often painted Swedish native animals such as squirrels and birds. I spent hours in the forest searching for birds returning from their long migration journeys over winter and I fell in love with the calmness and joy nature brings to us.
I create art to raise awareness and love for wildlife. Approximately 30,000 species per year, about three per hour, are being driven to extinction. Four percent of the mammals in the world are wild animals. Thirty-six percent are human beings and 60 percent are farm animals. Approximately 80 percent of the decline in global biological diversity is caused by habitat destruction. If we don’t do something now, it may be too late. I don’t want to be someone who sits down and says “Somebody should do something about that.” I have realised that I am somebody, and that I want to do something “about that”.
I see my artwork as a conversation starter and I hope it opens up your curiosity to learn more about endangered species and what you can do to help. I donate 5% to a wildlife conservation charity linked to saving the endangered species that is on the print you buy.
In 2014 my Great White Shark painting won the Ocean Care Day’s Art Award from” Northern Beaches Council” and in 2015 I won the prize for “Outstanding Creative” by “Vegan Australia”. In 2017 I teamed up with “The Art of Compassion Project” where 100% of the profits were donated to non-profit organisations.
Malin as a Conservationist
I’ve loved animals for as long as I can remember. As a child, I tried to heal injured birds, had a pet worm called Lisa and was often out looking for colourful and fascinating bugs in the forest. I was a scout and learnt to tread carefully wherever I walked. I grew up watching Jacques-Yves Cousteau, Jane Goddall, Valerie Taylor, David Attenborough and other conservationists on TV, and I remember that I said to myself that I one day wanted to do what they do. While things didn’t really work out exactly like that, I still do what I can, to help make the world a better place for all beings. I firmly believe that each and every animal has the same right to be here as you and me.
I’m a certified wildlife rescuer and have rescued, cared for and released animals such as possums, turtles and birds. I have volunteered at no-kill dog shelters, elephant sanctuaries, and been a penguin warden for National Parks and Wildlife in NSW.
I have participated in an expedition focusing on plastic pollution together with Philippe Cousteau (Jacques-Yves Cousteau’s grandchild) and the EarthEcho team, and I am also a climate change leader, educated by Al Gore’s organisation “Climate Reality”, teaching community organisations and schools about climate change.
I have been an Antarctica crew member with the ocean conservation organisation “Sea Shepherd” (founded by Paul Watson, who is also a co-founder of Greenpeace) fighting illegal whaling in the international whale sanctuary in Antarctica. I have also volunteered for Sea Shepherd’s Shark Conservation Campaign – Apex Harmony. Apex Harmony’s mission is to defend, conserve and protect sharks in order to maintain healthy oceans. As a volunteer for Apex Harmony, I worked as a social media manager for the campaign, initiated and met with politicians, did presentations at local councils and in schools and helped plan and organise events for the campaign.
I co-founded “No Shark Cull”, an organisation that focuses on the importance of sharks as an ocean predator and how important they are in the ocean’s food chain to keep our oceans healthy. I’m an advanced diver who loves diving and snorkelling at my local marine sanctuary, taking photos and creating awareness about the beautiful life we have below the surface. I’ve been part of rescuing and rehabilitating sick and injured turtles that had swollen plastic and balloons.
I founded, led and managed an award-winning non-profit charity called “Northern Beaches Clean Up Crew” for ten years. We organised monthly beach clean ups, ran school programs and educated about plastic pollution and what we can do to reduce our single-use-plastic footprint.
I have travelled to Borneo and volunteered with Dr Birute Galdikas, founder of “Orangutan Foundation International” and the world’s expert on orangutans. I have since done presentations in schools and for private businesses about palm oil and the devastating consequences it has for orangutans and other threatened species.
In 2015, I was nominated as one of the “Top 100 Ocean Heroes in the world”, by “Origin Magazine” and the same year I was also a runner up for “The World Environmental Award” by UN Australia.
Malin as a Teacher
I believe that the most important job as an educator and teacher is to inspire others to want to learn more, to help others open up their curiosity and wanting to learn more and find their passion. I see it as my passion and duty as an educator to inspire others to want to learn and care more for this planet. And I hope that then their passion spreads to others.
As an environmental educator I have developed and implemented a program called “Environmental Warriors” in schools in Sydney. The program focuses on creating an awareness about environmental issues such as climate change, endangered species and plastic pollution. The program combines the latest science with sustainability education to support an understanding, respect and compassion for all living things. It is an action-based school participation program that provides opportunities for students, teachers, parents and communities to participate in a range of initiatives that make the world a better place for animals, people and the environment.
I have developed and implemented a school leader leadership program called “The Environmental Warrior Leaders”. This is to increase science-related knowledge about how nature engagement in schools can improve the lives of children as a vehicle for positive change and to foster new optimism about our future, our planet and what we can do to help solve problems facing animals, people and the environment.
I collaborate with several schools in Sydney, educating about plastic pollution and organising regular beach clean ups for students, parents and other community members to attend.
I am the founder and solo blogger of the environmental blog “WildAware” on Facebook and Instagram where I write about wildlife conservation, animals and other environmental issues to help create awareness and love for our planet and all its beings. I have a following of nearly 200,000 people on Facebook and a monthly reach of up to 50 million people.
I have won the ”Inspirational Teacher” award in 2014, from the organisation”Young Protectors of the Ocean” and in 2015, I was awarded “Best Environmental Educator of the Year”, by the “Australian Association for Environmental Education”.
Interviews and media appearances
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Publications
Honours and Awards
Highly Accomplished Eco award
Issued by Northern Beaches Council · May 2021
The Northern Beaches Council Eco Awards celebrate ordinary people doing extraordinary things for the conservation of our environment and recognises community members who have volunteered their time and effort to enhance the region’s diverse and valuable natural habitat.
Local Hero 2020
Issued by Westfield, Warringah Mall · Oct 2020
Westfield Local Heroes are positive community role models who work in a diverse range of sectors and with a varied degree of experience. They include environmentalists, innovators, community volunteers and leaders, welfare service providers, first responders, essential workers, health and medical experts, educators, social entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs. Each year Westfield recognises and celebrates over 120 Westfield Local Heroes who make a positive impact to their local community or environment.
Eco Award for Waterways
Issued by Northern Beaches Council · Oct 2018
Acknowledgement for outstanding environmental and conservation efforts to protect the Northern Beaches unique environment.
Plastic Seas Expedition Scholarship
Issued by EarthEcho International · Oct 2018
During 2018, the EarthEcho Expeditions team explored the consequences of coastal development and human pollution, particularly plastics, along Australia’s southern coast with a focus on the impacts plastic pollution has on the vibrant creatures of Port Philip Bay. We dove deep into ocean plastics with our cohort of fellows and partners and examined where plastic pollution can come from, the impacts it can have on the environment and what solutions are out there to make the change we need to stop marine debris.
Environmental Achievement Award
Issued by Keep NSW Beautiful (Blue Star Sustainability Awards) · Dec 2015
The Environmental Achievement Award category is designed to recognise groups and individuals who demonstrate outstanding commitment to the environment. They may improve the sustainability and health of the environment around their local area, or show initiative, leadership and strength of character in pursuing environmental outcomes in their personal life and/or impacting on the wider community. This Award recognises those unsung heroes that hold a community together through their actions.
Best Environmental Educator of the Year (Formal Education)
Issued by Australian Association for Environmental Education · Oct 2015
Winner as the Best Environmental Educator of the Year in 2015 for achieving significant outcomes in a formal school setting in support of Education for Sustainability.
Vegan of the Year 2015 (Outstanding Vegan Creative)
Issued by Vegans are Cool · Oct 2015
“Vegans are Cool” is awarding people all around the world for the outstanding work for recognising ethical vegan individuals, businesses and organisations. Malin Frick (outstanding vegan creative – artist).
Australian of the Year 2016 (Nomination)
Issued by National Australia Day Council Limited · Sep 2015
Every year the Australian of the Year Awards celebrates the positive news stories of Australians from all around the country who are worthy of the nation’s attention. The awards unearth individuals who lead by example, inspire others and make a difference in the community locally, nationally or globally.
Top 100 Ocean Heroes in the World
Issued by Origin Magazine · Aug 2015
Malin Frick, conservationist, nominated as one of the top 100 ocean heroes. We are so proud of this issue. Intimate Interview w/ Jane Goodall, WWF, Neil Young Speaking out against Monsanto, 100+ Ocean Heroes, Top Eco Rockstars, Global Citizen: Top Rockstars Fighting Poverty, Top Adventure Creatives, Conservationists, Female Pioneers, Sustainability Mavericks and more than 40+ artists share wisdom.
World Environmental Award (Individual Category)
Issued by United Nations Association of Australia · Jun 2015
Finalist in the individual category: World Environmental Award for 2015.
Nominated as an inspirational conservationist and environmental educator.
Manly Council’s Ocean Care Day’s Art Award
Issued by Manly Council · Dec 2014
Winner of Manly Council’s Ocean Care Day’s Art award. The winning artwork was a shark painting in acrylic, 120x80cm.
Inspirational Teacher Award
Issued by Young Protectors of the Ocean · Sep 2014
For being a passionate teacher and an inspiration for many students. For giving children the confidence to believe they can make a difference.
Eco Award
Issued by Manly Council · Sep 2011
Nominated for the council’s Eco Award in 2011 for the ongoing commitment and dedication to educate and inspire others about wildlife conservation.
Environmental Ambassador
Issued by Manly Council · Apr 2009
Manly Council’s ambassadors have a unique environmental training to equip others with the knowledge to help conserve, protect and provide education for our natural environment. The Ambassadors for Manly program is designed to educate about a range of local environmental issues including protection of native animals, monitoring of critical habitats (such as penguins and bandicoots), bushland importance, parks and reserves and protected areas such as Cabbage Tree Bay and North Head.