Celebrating 25 Years of Sanctuary Community and Milestones with the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation
Join us in celebrating 25 years of sanctuary community and milestones for the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation’s 25th anniversary!
The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation was established in 2000 by America’s most influential ocean conservation leaders, including Dr. Sylvia Earle and Dr. Bob Ballard, as the official nonprofit partner of the National Marine Sanctuary System administrated by NOAA.
As a trusted leader in marine conservation, our mission is to protect these shared waters, where marine wildlife is cared for, our nation’s maritime history and culture is honored, and public waters are enjoyed by all. We accomplish this through community stewardship and engagement programs; on-the-water conservation, restoration, and preservation projects; public education and outreach programs in visitor centers and sanctuary gateway communities; and cutting-edge scientific innovations and exploration.
In a quarter of a century, we’ve expanded and deepened peoples’ connections and access to our ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes, our shared history and maritime culture and heritage, and built partnerships with coastal communities and local businesses connected to over 629,000 square miles of public waters that belong to all Americans.
To celebrate, we’re sharing stories of the impact we’ve made in our first quarter century. Here are just a few:
Neah Bay: Restoring Ancestral Waters
For generations Makah Tribal fishermen fished Washington’s Neah Bay, bordering the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. But marine debris, including a dystopian 3,000-ton piece of highway bridge, was choking their fishing grounds. Last year, a coalition worked together to demolish and remove the marine debris of Neah Bay. Watch the documentary trailer and check out our Neah Bay: Restoring Ancestral Waters page to get the latest on film festival appearances.
The I.CARE Trash Derby in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
Marine debris threatens Florida Keys residents, visitors and the wildlife that call this national marine sanctuary home. The Foundation works with local partners including dive shops to remove marine debris from reefs, mangroves and shorelines through our Goal: Clean Seas Florida Keys Program. We also support the annual I.CARE Trash Derby, a public event that invites residents and tourists the opportunity to help this cause. Click here to see how the 2025 event removed 36,000 pounds of debris in three days!
A New Chance at Life for Pacific Ocean Whales
Along California’s coast, whale rescue responders put their own lives at risk to rescue 40-ton whales entangled in trash and other marine debris. In Channel Islands and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuaries, the Foundation supports training responders like Stephanie Marcos, the youngest female Level 3 whale rescue responder. Click here to see how Stephanie and others give entangled whales another chance at life.
We’re thrilled to celebrate 25 years of achieving marine sanctuary milestones and protecting waters for all.
We’re all in – will you join us?