Stories
The Foundation Blog
Stories from the National Marine Sanctuary System — conservation, science, community, and the people who care for America's public waters.
All stories
243 posts · showing 49–72
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Day in the Life of a Dive Operator: Conch Republic Divers
Photo credit: Conch Republic Divers Written by: Cortney Benson, Marine Debris Removal Stewardship Coordinator at the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, in conjunction with Ashley Hudson, owner of Conch Republic Divers Ashley Hudson and Dave Beevers purchased Conch Republic Divers a little over a year ago and have already made huge waves in the community! We had […]
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Blue Beacon: Reimagining Tourism and Recreation
We’re reimagining recreation & tourism through destination stewardship, which incorporates sustainable and regenerative tourism practices.
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Sea Wonder: Sunflower Sea Star
Description The sunflower sea star (Pycnopodia helianthoides) is named for its radial arms that resemble the yellow petals of sunflowers you might find in someone’s garden. The sunflower sea star is the largest species of sea star in the g
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Rapid Action to Marine Heat Wave in Florida Brings Hope for Coral Reefs
A diver surveys bleached corals on Horseshoe Reef, one of seven Mission: Iconic Reefs sites in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Photo credit: Roxane Boonstra Coral reefs in the Florida Keys can take the heat – but now they are literally in hot water. Record-breaking temperatures from a marine heat wave in the waters off […]
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International Youth Day: Sea Youth Rise Up Makes Waves At Capitol Hill Ocean Week
Written by: Laura Johnson, Youth Program Supervisor, The Ocean Project Throughout the last century, youth have driven transformative change, leading groundbreaking movements and reshaping past norms. As global communities continue to experience the effects of climate degradation, young leaders are demanding unprecedented change, with greater urgency than ever before. – MJ, 17, student delegate from […]
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I’m ready to get to work for our sanctuaries: A message from our President and CEO
I’m ready to get to work for our sanctuaries: A message from our President and CEO I’m ready to get to work for our sanctuaries: A message from our President and CEO The four hottest days on record occurred this July, just one week before my start as the new president and CEO of the […]
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Reuniting with the Sea: A Story of Access, Joy, and Connection
Written by: Katherine Escalante, Yale Conservation Scholar and Intern, The Ocean Project Last month, my mother returned to the ocean for the first time in 22 years. It was a reunion my family and I felt blessed to witness. Two decades ago,
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Day in the Life of a Captain’s Corner Diver | Florida Keys
Amanda Hudon, a Marine Conservation Coordinator for Key Dives, answers some questions about what it’s like to work a day in her role.
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Pride In The Ocean: Deb Self
By Deb Self (she/her), Executive Director, Greater Farallones Association Deb Self (she/her) joined Greater Farallones Association (GFA) as Executive Director in 2019, just before the pandemic, where she arrived with nearly 40 years of work
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Brett Woodworth: From Student Explorer to Ocean Explorer
By Brett Woodworth, SUNY Geneseo student and NOAA Ocean Exploration Explorer-in-Training Intern The crystal-clear waters of Lameshur Bay cooled me off as the tropical sun beat down from above. I peeked my head below the water and witnessed
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CHOW Chat with Nancy Colleton: Check Yes for CHOW
The Capitol Hill Ocean Week 2023 program will explore the ocean-climate connection and how we can make ocean conservation part of climate strategies and nationally determined contributions to address climate change. Nancy Colleton is a member of the 2023 CHOW Advisory Committee and President of the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies. We spoke with Nancy […]
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CHOW Plenary Deep Dive: Margaret Davidson Emerging Leaders: Climate Innovations
The time to act on climate is now. The urgency of climate action continues to be apparent, as the climate continues to warm, and our coastlines and communities continue to experience escalating impacts of climate change. Photo credit: Patrick Stoll This year’s Capitol Hill Ocean Week theme, “Ocean X Climate”, emphasizes the crossover, connections, and […]
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CHOW Chat: Arthur Johnson on Centering Collaboration and Culture
Arthur Johnson looking over a water purification canal within the Sewage and Water Board pumping station. Photo credit: CSED The Capitol Hill Ocean Week 2023 program will explore the ocean-climate connection and how we can make ocean conservation part of climate strategies and nationally determined contributions to address climate change. Arthur Johnson is a member […]
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CHOW Plenary Deep Dive: Building Resilience Through Ocean-Based Climate Solutions
To confront the challenges of climate change, we must look to the ocean as a source of climate solutions. Our ocean offers many options to help communities mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change, while also protecting biodiversity, sustaining productive coastal economies, and building resilient communities and ecosystems. Photo credit: Jack Fishman In […]
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CHOW Chat: Stewart Sarkozy-Banoczy on Climate Resilience in Communities
Photo credit: Stewart Sarkozy-Banoczy The Capitol Hill Ocean Week 2023 program will explore the ocean-climate connection and how we can make ocean conservation part of climate strategies and nationally determined contributions to address climate change. Stewart Sarkozy-Banoczy is a member of the 2023 CHOW Advisory Committee, Global Director of Policy and Investments at the Resilient […]
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CHOW Plenary Deep Dive: From the Frontlines of Climate Change
Photo credit: Peggy Langford Our climate and our ocean are irrevocably linked – as the former warms, so does the latter. Over the past several years, communities have seen the impacts and the costs of our changing climate firsthand – with rising sea levels, extreme flooding, heatwaves, drought, wildfires, and more intense and frequent hurricanes […]
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CHOW Chat: Sarah Cooley on Communicating Ocean and Climate Connections
We spoke with Sarah about her role on the Advisory Committee and how protecting our ocean can help us achieve climate and societal goals.
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Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District Rolls Out Unique Fundraiser
In what may be the first of its kind, the agency that runs Santa Cruz County’s bus system is hosting a unique, long-term campaign to encourage people to ride the bus, which would reduce their carbon footprint and reduce single-passenger veh
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Day in the Life of a Key Dives Operator | National Marine Sanctuary
Amanda Hudon, a Marine Conservation Coordinator for Key Dives, answers some questions about what it’s like to work a day in her role.
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Community Leaders Speak on Sanctuary Impacts and Value on Capitol Hill
Photo credit: Jenny Larsen By Eileen Abel, Sanctuary Advisory Council Chair for Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary March 1st in Washington, DC, offered what some call mixed messages weather: sunny skies and almost moderate spring temperatures, but enough brisk wind to remind those of us brave enough to be lunching outdoors that Old North […]
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Mahina ‘Ōlelo Hawaiʻi: A Language Rescued from the Brink of Near Extinction
Malia K. Evans is the Oʻahu Outreach and Education Coordinator at the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation on behalf of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Photo credit: Paige Wernli By Malia K. Evans, Oʻahu Outreach and Education Coordinator at the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation on behalf of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. It is estimated that […]
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Sea Wonder: Hellbender Salamander
Photo credit: Brian Gratwicke Hellbender salamanders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) have existed for about 150 million years and are the largest species of salamander in all of North America. While their scientific name means “hidden gills”, they are affectionately nicknamed snot otters, devil dogs, and mudcats. Description Adult hellbenders are between 12 and 29 inches long and […]
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Sea Wonder: Melon-Headed Whale
Melon-headed whales in Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Photo credit: Laura Morse, NOAA/NMFS/PIFSC Description Don’t let the name fool you – melon-headed whales (Peponocephala eleectra) are actually part of the dolphin or toothed whale family. They are aptly named for their small heads with large melons, oil-filled foreheads that allow them to echolocate […]
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Foundation President and CEO Kris Sarri to Step Down
The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation announced today that President and CEO Kristen J. Sarri will step down, effective January 1, 2023. “Kris accomplished a remarkable amount for the Foundation in the past six years. She created a vision for the Foundation, and working with staff, the Board of Trustees, NOAA, and partners transformed the Foundation […]