Based in Silver Spring, Maryland, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation was created to assist the federally managed National Marine Sanctuary Program with education and outreach programs designed to preserve, protect and promote meaningful opportunities for public interaction with the nation's marine sanctuaries. The National Marine Sanctuary system currently covers more than 175,000 square miles of ocean and Great Lakes water in 14 sites.
The foundation funds education, outreach, conservation and research projects that support sanctuaries and a healthy ocean. Past projects include supporting marine debris clean-ups, lionfish research and education programs for schools and communities. In the areas of conservation and restoration, the organization works with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, other government agencies and nonprofit partners to restore marine resources and promote ocean stewardship.
The foundation sponsors Capitol Hill Ocean Week which brings together members of Congress, representatives of state and local governments, academics, business experts, scientists and ocean explorers. In addition, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation works extensively with communities interested in local sanctuary designations including coalition-building, connecting them with elected officials through workshops and other communications and providing them with grants to help fund their work.
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