25 in 25
Explore Our Work
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 and videos demonstrate the Foundation’s impact and show how its work is charting a path forward for our national marine sanctuaries.
Dive Into Deep Coral Restoration
The Hidden Gulf takes viewers behind-the-scenes of a field expedition around Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary where experts work to restore corals in mesophotic, or “middle light” seafloor habitats of the Gulf.
Battling Marine Debris
Across our National Marine Sanctuary System, the Foundation is racing to reclaim these waters from harmful marine debris. From community cleanups to large scale debris removals, every piece of debris we remove keeps our national marine sanctuaries clean, safe, and accessible to everyone.
The Power of Partnerships
The Florida Keys are iconic, but keeping them pristine takes more than just looking at the view. This video follows Goal: Clean Seas Florida Keys, a mission to pull marine debris out of Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and protect the Keys’ blue backyard. 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 these waters clean.
At Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, students tackle real-world challenges using underwater drones. The Foundation supports ROV programming, helping kids hone their skills and prepare for a future in marine engineering.
Flower Garden Banks NMS Cleanup (TX)
This mission built on years of data about the type and location of marine debris in Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, the best methods to remove it, and the importance of restoring seafloor habitats.
Innovating Coral Conservation (FL)
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.
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.
In February 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.
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.
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.
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.