AN UNBREAKABLE BOND
BETWEEN FAMILY, EXPLORATION, AND PROTECTING
OUR BLUE PLANET
Karst Productions lives on through the memory of its founder, Wes Skiles. Wes founded Karst Productions nearly 50 years ago out of a critical need to photo-document the exploitation and decline of Florida's freshwater springs before heavy impacts were well understood.
Since Wes' passing in 2010, his daughter, Tessa Skiles, has reignited his passion, continuing his mission to explore, document, and safeguard our fragile freshwater ecosystems. With the same dedication and vision, Tessa ensures that Karst Productions remains a powerful voice in advocating for the protection of our planet's most vital water resources.
WATER'S JOURNEY STARTED JUST BELOW OUR FEET, INSIDE ONE THE MOST PRISTINE AQUIFERS IN THE WORLD.
Tessa J. Skiles
Photo by Mac Stone Photography
BIOGRAPHY
Tessa Skiles is a conservation storyteller, underwater cinematographer, and impact producer known for her immersive work documenting the fragile beauty of Florida’s freshwater springs and aquifers. Following in the footsteps of her late father, National Geographic Explorer Wes Skiles, Tessa has carved her own path as a filmmaker and explorer, blending scientific insight with emotional depth to reconnect audiences with the natural world.
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As co-director of the upcoming feature documentary Underworld, Tessa brings to life a multi-layered story of legacy, loss, and discovery, drawing from tens of thousands of hours of archival footage and her own extraordinary explorations and discoveries. Her cinematography credits include American Amazon (PBS Nature), The Fellowship of the Springs (Amazon Prime), and numerous regional projects focused on springs conservation and groundwater protection. Tessa’s work has taken her into submerged cave systems, archaeological sites, and frontline communities facing ecological collapse, where she has served as both field producer, impact producer, and director of photography.
Through Karst Productions, she has collaborated with PBS, Amazon Prime, the Smithsonian Institute, the Florida Springs Institute, the Florida Speleological Society, and numerous state agencies to elevate the visibility of unseen ecosystems. Her creative leadership is also rooted in community impact—developing educational programs, building coalitions, and designing narrative campaigns that drive policy engagement and measurable conservation outcomes. Whether behind the camera or in front of a classroom, Tessa’s storytelling makes the invisible visible—bridging science, emotion, and memory to reveal what lies beneath, and why it matters.
Wesley C. Skiles
March 6, 1958 – July 21, 2010
BIOGRAPHY
Wes Skiles was best known for his groundbreaking work in educational adventure science films. Over 15 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.