Ocean Guardian School
The Ocean Guardian School Program is managed by NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries with funding coordinated by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation.
Applications are currently closed for the 2024 - 2025 school year. If you are interested in applying for the 2025 - 2026 school year, applications will be available for download in April 2025.
Does your school have what it takes to help protect the ocean for the future? Promote ocean and watershed conservation at your school or in your local community by becoming an Ocean Guardian School.
An Ocean Guardian School makes a commitment to the protection and conservation of its local watersheds, the world's ocean, and special ocean areas, like national marine sanctuaries. The school makes this commitment by proposing and then implementing a school- or community-based conservation project.
An Ocean Guardian School:
- provides project(s) for students related to the conservation of local watersheds, the world's ocean, and/or special ocean areas, like national marine sanctuaries.
- provides opportunities for students, teachers, parents and friends to participate in a range of environmental and sustainable activities.
- provides learning programs and opportunities that reflect environmentally sustainable practices that enable all students to be environmentally active and committed "Ocean Guardians."
- provides ways for classrooms to promote best environmental practices within local communities, while at the same time projecting a positive image of the school itself.