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. 

Saving North Atlantic Right Whales

With fewer than 400 North Atlantic Right Whales surviving today, their migration paths, nurseries, and hangout spots are crucial to their species’ survival. Vessel strikes are the leading cause of death among these critically endangered whales. At Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary, the Foundation is sponsoring the installation of Automatic Identification Systems that alert vessels when they are in areas where Right Whales are commonly found.

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Exploring Shipwrecks in Lake Ontario NMS

The Foundation connects communities to our maritime heritage to tell the untold stories that lie beneath our ocean and Great Lakes. This first of its kind expedition documents the shipwrecks 600 feet below the surface of Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary with a remotely operated vehicle.
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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.
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ROV Competition (MI)

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)

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.

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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 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 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.

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.

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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