Webinar Series

The National Marine Sanctuaries Webinar Series provides educators, students, and the interested public with educational and scientific expertise, resources and training to support ocean and climate literacy. This series generally targets formal and informal educators that are engaging students (elementary through college) in formal classroom settings, as well as members of the community in informal educational venues (e.g. after school programs, science centers, aquariums, etc.). However, the series is open to anyone interested in the topics listed below.

For distance learning programs about marine mammals and other protected species in the wild, please visit our Wildlife Viewing Guidelines and the NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources' Marine Life Viewing Guidelines to ensure you are aware of the regulations.

Upcoming Webinars

A photo collage of eelgrass found in the Pacific Northwest, including a photo of a young, female scientist named Dr. Olivia J. Graham.

OCNMS-Feiro 2026 Speaker Series: Eelgrass Sustains Life in the Salish Sea

January 27, 2026 at 3 pm Hawaii | 5 pm Pacific | 7 pm central | 8 pm Eastern

Olivia J. Graham, PhD is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Cornell University

Join us to hear Dr. Olivia J. Graham talk about eelgrass; what it is, and why it matters to coastal ecosystems. She’ll share the significance of eelgrass in sustaining coastal ecosystems along with recent eelgrass health and resilience research based at University of Washington’s Friday Harbor Labs on San Juan Island.

left to right: Coral reefs found in Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary; scuba diver floating over a coral reef holds a camera; overhead shot of coral with measuring tape and identification markers placed across the corals.

Stitching It Together: Photogrammetry and Photomosaics

February 4, 2026 at 2:30 pm Hawai’i / 4:30 pm Pacific / 6:30 pm Central / 7:30 pm Eastern

Donavon French, Research Specialist, Cardinal Point Captains for Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary

Coral reef monitoring through photography is a long-standing tradition at NOAA's Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, with data collected for over 30 years. As technology advances, the sanctuary's research team is introducing modeling methods through photogrammetry to enhance their long-term monitoring efforts. Donavon French is leading up the effort to better understand the health of the reef by stitching photos together to get a 3-D view and larger-scale 2-D images of the reef.

left to right:Jake Emmert; a commercial scuba diver standing on the deck of a boat putting on a heavy helmet with many cords attached with assistance from another person in a hard hat; and a large crane on the back deck of a boat holding a large net over the ocean.

Successful Partnerships: How to Remove 1,700 Pounds of Marine Debris from the Twilight Zone

February 18, 2026 at 2:30 pm Hawai’i / 4:30 pm Pacific / 6:30 pm Central / 7:30 pm Eastern

Jake Emmert, Director of Marine Operations, Moody Gardens

Something unique happened in 2025 at the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, a first of its kind effort and a new page in the marine debris removal playbook—how to successfully remove 1,700 pounds of marine debris from the seafloor 180 feet below. This is a partnership story of a federal agency, zoo and aquarium, not-for-profit, and marine salvage and response group of companies joining forces to not only complete their mission but also lay the groundwork for these areas to recover. Join us for a journey into the heavy lift of commercial diving in a national marine sanctuary, and learn about additional projects underway to support the health of our oceans for future generations.

left to right: John Majoris; a diver with a clipboard looks at a tropical yellow fish that is swimming over a reef; and a small dark brown fish with a yellow tail swims over coral.

Are Damsels Causing Distress?: Identifying Traits that Make Marine Invasive Species Successful

March 4, 2026 at 2:30 pm Hawai’i / 4:30 pm Pacific / 6:30 pm Central / 7:30 pm Eastern

Dr. John Majoris, Assistant Professor of Biology, Pennsylvania State University

Across the globe, terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems are being reshaped by non-native species that can alter food webs, reduce biodiversity, and disrupt ecosystem functions. Despite the accelerating pace of invasive species introductions, we know little about the traits and conditions that allow invaders to succeed in new habitats. This talk will explore how marine invasive species are introduced, established, and spread, focusing on the Regal Demoiselle fish, which has recently spread to Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary.

left to right: A colorful, vibrant coral reef; Patricia Newman speaking to a classroom; thumbnails for children’s books; and Teach the Hope design.

Teach the Hope: Environmental Education Inspiring Action

March 10, 2026 at 12 pm Hawaii | 3 pm Pacific | 5 pm Central | 6 pm Eastern

Patricia Newman, award-winning children's book author and environmentalist

Let's face it, today's environmental headlines are depressing. Join award-winning children's book author and environmentalist Patricia Newman to experience a new philosophy in environmental education: HOPE. Together with Claire Fackler, National Education Liaison for the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, we'll emphasize gratitude for and connections to the natural world, including the ocean, and identify effective role models to emulate and actions that can be taken. Then we'll put your new-found knowledge to work with several activities that Patricia will demonstrate. Participants will leave with ready-to-use resources.