Volunteering for Sanctuaries

Volunteers are an integral part of many sanctuary programs, contributing invaluable time and energy across the National Marine Sanctuary System. The Team Ocean Conservation Education Action Network (OCEAN) volunteer program consists of passionate individuals who are dedicated to informing the visiting public in national marine sanctuaries about responsible use of sanctuary resources, and also help out with work that supports sanctuary research and monitoring.

diver examins a reef — Team OCEAN divers are trained to conduct habitat assessments and reef fish and marine debris monitoring in Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Greg McFall/NOAA

two kayakers and a paddleboarder in the water — Team OCEAN Hawai‘i volunteers serve as on-the-water naturalists in kayaks, providing ocean users with information about whales and promoting responsible wildlife viewing in Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: Ed Lyman/NOAA

kayakers in the water with kelp around them — Team OCEAN and Bay Net volunteers foster wise environmental stewards through actions on-the-water and on-the-trail. Photo: Amity Wood/NOAA

volunteer on a boat handing out materials to another group on a boat — During peak recreational boating season and holiday weekends, Team OCEAN volunteers in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary help educate boaters at high-use reef sites. Photo: NOAA