"EACH GENERATION INHERITS A DUTY TO PROTECT WHAT SUSTAINED THE LAST, AND TO ENSURE IT SUSTAINS THE NEXT."
Definition: Karst
(/kärst/) noun: Karst is a topography formed from the dissolution of soluble carbonate rock such as limestone and dolomite. It is characterized by features like poljes and springs above and drainage systems like sinkholes and caves underground.
Karst Productions was founded in the early 1980s by the late Wes Skiles. Wes’s vision and life's work was to explore and document Florida's fragile freshwater ecosystems, inside and out, before their dwindling beauty might be lost forever.
Over 40 years later, Wes's daughter, Tessa Skiles, carries forward the organization’s mission to explore, document, and protect waterways. With the same dedication and passion, Tessa ensures that Karst Productions remains a powerful presence, capturing and advocating for the protection of our planet's most vital water resources. Today, Karst Productions is a small, woman-owned business leading in the exciting and hard-to-reach world of underwater photography and cinematography.
TESSA SKILES
Photo by Chrissy Martinez Photography
Tessa Skiles is a conservationist, underwater photographer/cinematographer, and impact producer known for her evocative, immersive storytelling that reveals the beauty and vulnerability of one of our planet’s most elusive and misunderstood natural resources: groundwater.
Raised in a family where underwater exploration and water conservation were part of everyday life, she grew up surrounded by the research, advocacy, and conversations that brought our planet’s water crises to center stage. From this early insight, she gained the perspective that shapes her work: the key to inspiring lasting behavioral change that prioritizes environmental protection is scientifically grounded, inclusive, visually stunning, and emotionally resonant storytelling.
As co-director of an upcoming feature documentary, Tessa brings to life a personal, layered story of loss, legacy, growth, and a very timely message of human and ecological interconnectedness. Her recent film credits include American Amazon (PBS Nature), The Fellowship of the Springs (Prime), Protect Our Paradise (Discover Florida), Day Zero (Prime), and numerous regional projects focused on freshwater and groundwater protection. Her work also extends beyond filmmaking into educational programming, impact production, and community-centered campaigns.
WES SKILES
March 6, 1958 – July 21, 2010
BIOGRAPHY
Wes Skiles was best known for his groundbreaking work in educational adventure science films. Over 45 years, he created and produced more than a dozen major films for networks including PBS. He directed the IMAX film Journey into Amazing Caves and led a major National Geographic expedition to Antarctica to film the largest iceberg in recorded history. His driving mission was to create entertaining, educational films focused on the Earth’s most essential resource—water.
​
Throughout his career, Wes filmed in places no one had before. His unstoppable spirit of adventure led him to remote destinations and extraordinary journeys. Skilled in both motion and still photography, he divided his time between assignments for National Geographic Magazine and producing top-tier science, adventure, and natural history programming for television.
​
Wes’s ability to capture stunning visual imagery was evident in his feature for National Geographic Magazine on the North Florida springs and his award-winning A&E New Explorers film Polluting the Fountain of Youth. His dynamic storytelling style made science exciting and accessible, offering audiences an intimate connection with the environments and subjects he filmed.
​
Beyond filmmaking, Wes was a passionate advocate for Florida’s natural resources. He was appointed by Florida’s governor to serve on the Florida Springs Task Force, led field trips for citizens and officials, and frequently visited local schools to teach students about protecting water resources. His commitment to environmental stewardship infused every aspect of his life. He presented his work internationally and spoke on subjects ranging from spring protection and hydrogeology to risk management and exploration.