Be Part of the Mission
Get Involved
It takes people power to make a national marine sanctuary, and it takes people power to sustain it. And we need people like YOU to speak up on behalf of our national marine sanctuaries. TAKE ACTION NOW!
It takes people power to make a national marine sanctuary, and it takes people power to sustain it. And we need people like YOU to speak up on behalf of our national marine sanctuaries. TAKE ACTION NOW!
Each year Congress decides how the federal government will spend its money through legislation known as appropriations bills. These bills determine how much money programs such as national marine sanctuaries will receive.
Congress has now begun the appropriations process for Fiscal Year 2027, and lawmakers are deciding which programs they want to prioritize funding. This is a pivotal time to make your voice heard. The decisions lawmakers are making now will shape our ability to continue critical work to conserve the spectacular underwater wildlife, archaeological resources, and cultural seascapes of the United States.
What’s Happening Now:
Each year Congress decides how the federal government will spend its money through legislation known as appropriations bills. These bills determine how much money programs such as national marine sanctuaries will receive.
Congress has now begun the appropriations process for Fiscal Year 2027, and lawmakers are deciding which programs they want to prioritize funding. This is a pivotal time to make your voice heard. The decisions lawmakers are making now will shape our ability to continue critical work to conserve the spectacular underwater wildlife, archaeological resources, and cultural seascapes of the United States.
Volunteer
How you can help directly
Foundation volunteers contribute thousands of hours each year to conservation, science, education, and advocacy work across the National Marine Sanctuary System. Pick the role that matches your time and interests.
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Sanctuary Photo Ambassador
12+ photo days/year
Contribute professional-grade photography of sanctuary species, habitats, and events for Foundation use.
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Beach & reef cleanup lead
Quarterly events
Organize and lead local cleanup days under the Foundation Volunteer Program safety protocols.
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Classroom education volunteer
2–6 hrs/month
Co-teach Foundation curriculum in Title I schools near a sanctuary you live close to.
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Citizen-science observer
Flexible
Submit water-quality, species-count, or marine-debris observations through Foundation-supported platforms.
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Sanctuary advocate
Action alerts
Respond to Foundation policy alerts — call your representatives, sign petitions, attend hearings.
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Event volunteer
Per-event
Help run CHOW, the Blue Beacon Series, sanctuary anniversaries, and Foundation public events.
Volunteers of the quarter
Thank you
The Foundation recognizes outstanding volunteer contributions quarterly. Three of this season's honorees and what they made possible.
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Maya R.
Florida Keys
180 hrs · reef monitoring
"The Foundation's training gave me skills I now use in my dissertation research."
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Daniel K.
Monterey Bay
142 hrs · photo monitoring
"I never thought my hobby could contribute to actual sanctuary science."
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Priya S.
Thunder Bay
120 hrs · shipwreck docent
"I tell visitors stories that haven't been told in 150 years."
Volunteer signup
Tell us how you'd like to help
The Foundation volunteer coordinator matches you with the opportunities near you and gets back within five business days.
What's next?
Not ready to volunteer yet?
Two other ways to support the Foundation's work — a one-time donation or a newsletter subscription.