25 in 25

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2025.

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2025.

For 25 years, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation has made incredible achievements in species conservation, habitat restoration, cultural and maritime heritage preservation and technological innovation and scientific discovery. These stories demonstrate the Foundation’s impact and show how its work is charting a path forward for our national marine sanctuaries. 

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Giving Whales Another Chance at Life

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, who work to give entangled whales another chance at life.
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African American Sailors Aboard USS Monitor

Monitor National Marine Sanctuary was designated to preserve USS Monitor, which is nicknamed the “little ship that saved the nation” for its pivotal role in the Civil War. The crew of Monitor included freed Black men who joined the Union Navy. The Foundation supported genealogical research to locate descendants of Monitor’s crew, helping improve our understanding of the country’s maritime history.
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Neah Bay: Restoring Ancestral Waters

For generations Makah Tribal fishermen fished Washington’s Neah Bay. 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. 

Derelict Ship Removal (CA)

In March 2025, the Foundation removed an abandoned 54-foot fishing vessel that was threatening local marine wildlife in Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary along California’s central coast.

Sanctuary Ocean Count (HI)

 Each year, volunteers in Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary participate in the world’s longest running community science project: the Sanctuary Ocean Count.

Channel Islands Cleanup (CA)

Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary has been called a “catcher’s mitt for marine debris.” But thanks to hundreds of volunteers, that trash is being cleaned up.

Innovating Coral Conservation (FL)

Three students holding trophies

The Foundation hosted a Design Thinking Challenge on marine engineering solutions to protect coral reefs from bleaching events. The event showcased how marine sanctuaries can be sources of innovation.

The I.CARE Trash Derby removed 36,000+ pounds of debris from the Florida Keys.

Marine debris threatens Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and the wildlife that lives there. This is why the Foundation works with local partners including dive shops to support the annual I.CARE Trash Derby and other cleanup programs in the Florida Keys including Goal: Clean Seas.

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