On March 5, 6, and 7, 2019,  the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation and community members from across the National Marine Sanctuary System participated in the Foundation’s 3rd annual Capitol Hill Fly-in. The Foundation and participants met with Members of Congress and their staff to request increased investment in marine sanctuaries and marine national monuments to support a healthy ocean.

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation’s Capitol Hill Fly-In brings sanctuary constituents from across the country to Washington, DC to advocate for America’s national marine sanctuaries to their elected representatives and staff. Community leaders — representing diving and fishing charter businesses, zoos and aquarium partners, and state and regional conservation organizations — met with 75 Congressional offices in both the Senate and House of Representatives and on both sides of the aisle. Participants discussed with their Members and senior staff how sanctuaries foster public stewardship of our ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes and the need for greater funding to address critical management and infrastructure needs at sanctuaries.  

Policymakers value hearing directly from their constituents about the value of sanctuaries to our communities, environment, and economy. By participating in this event, community leaders ensured that Congress heard their voices during a critical time in the federal budgeting process, educated new Members on the importance of national marine sanctuaries and marine national monuments, and championed our Congressional sanctuary leaders.  

The Foundation and its partners strongly urge Congress to provide no less than $65.5 million to NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. Be a wavemaker, add your support to our appropriations letter below!

Interested in joining us for our 2020 Sanctuary Fly In? Contact our Policy and Conservation Director, Shannon Yee, at shannon@marinesanctuary.org.