National Marine Sanctuary Foundation

06/02/2026

CHOW STARTS NOW! 🌊

Today's the day! begins this morning with our opening keynote from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

Tune in to hear from an incredible list of speakers including renowned explorers, scientists, Indigenous and community leaders, and industry innovators. Discussions will focus on America’s marine heritage, restoration and resilience, working waterfronts and seafood, ocean technology and the next era of exploration.

Capitol Hill Ocean Week is made possible by the generous support of our sponsors and partners. Thank you to this year's sponsors for supporting our mission and helping us keep CHOW fee-free and open to the public! CapitolHillOceanWeek.org

05/12/2026

Here's a sneak peek of what you'll see at Capitol Hill Ocean Week!

begins June 2 with a two-day conference featuring keynote remarks and plenary session discussions from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) leadership, renowned explorers, scientists, Indigenous and community leaders, and industry innovators; brought together by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation and our 2026 program partner, the National Maritime Historical Society.

Discussions will focus on America’s marine heritage, restoration and resilience, working waterfronts and seafood, ocean technology and the next era of exploration.

As we sail into the future, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation honors the earliest stewards of our waters and charts the course for the next generation of wavemakers — including you!

We’re so proud to have hosted the nation’s premier gathering focused on ocean and Great Lakes policy for twenty-five years. And thanks to our generous sponsors, CHOW continues to be free and open to the public — all are welcome!

Check out the full agenda at CapitolHillOceanWeek.org!

05/09/2026

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation is delighted to wish Sir David Attenborough a happy 100th birthday!

To commemorate his birthday, dive into the depths of America’s national marine sanctuaries in this article published in The Flow Trip magazine's David Attenborough issue, written by Rachel Plunkett of NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries! Read here: https://ow.ly/vsmA50YWO4x

05/07/2026

We made a splash removing trash at the 4th annual I.CARE Trash Derby! 🤿

Participants removed more than 34,000 pounds of marine debris from NOAA Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary!

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation was proud to sponsor this event in support of Florida Keys.

Learn more about how you can get involved with Goal: Clean Seas at https://marinesanctuary.org/goalcleanseas/

All removal work completed was in NOAA Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and conducted under permits from the marine sanctuary and MyFWC Florida Fish and Wildlife.

04/23/2026

Attention all veterans! Join FORCE BLUE, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, and NOAA Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary on May 1 for a day of fishing off the Georgia coast!

ATTENTION ALL VETERANS who are (or can be) in the Hilton Head, SC / Savannah, GA area May 1st...

As part of our upcoming Tour of Duty mission to NOAA Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary, FORCE BLUE and our partners at NOAA Fisheries Service and the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation would like to invite you to join us for a day of bottom fishing with Capt. Hook Fishing Charters out of Hilton Head.

We'll supply the rods & reels; you just bring your fishing prowess (and/or your ability to exaggerate)!

If you are interested, please reach out to Master Chief Gonzo ([email protected]). Spots are limited, so don't delay!

04/22/2026

Through a partnership with Hilton Global Foundation, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation is turning spectators into stewards. From Blue Star Dive Operators scouting debris hotspots to locals and visitors participating in regenerative tourism, we’re working to keep NOAA Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary clean!

Watch this video of a Hilton Global Foundation-sponsored cleanup in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and see what it takes to remove marine debris from the coral reef!

04/02/2026

COMMUNITY IMPACT IN ACTION: More than $1 MILLION awarded by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation through the Sanctuary Community Fund! 🌊

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation is proud to announce the 16 community-led projects awarded funding in the second round of the Sanctuary Community Fund.

Funding will support marine sanctuary communities through stewardship projects in NOAA's Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, NOAA's Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary, and Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary.

Congratulations to the California Habitat for Indigenous Arts, Creek Lands Conservation, Momoy Arts & Education Circle, H. Lee White Maritime Museum, Oswego City School District (OHS Outdoor Adventure Club), Center for Instruction, Technology & Innovation (CiTi BOCES), Oswego City School District, Weston T. Hyde Education Foundation, Upstate Freshwater Institute, Friends of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project, Polynesian Voyaging Society (Hōkūleʻa Crew), University of Hawai‘i, FORCE BLUE, and the MATE ROV Competition!

As the official nonprofit partner of NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, the Foundation’s Sanctuary Community Fund invests directly in marine sanctuaries to help wavemakers spark change and lead economic development in their communities.

To learn more about the awardees and how to support their work through the Sanctuary Community Fund, visit https://marinesanctuary.org/news/foundation-celebrates-second-round-of-sanctuary-community-fund-grantees/