The sites of your National Marine Sanctuary System are hubs for science, exploration, and education. At any given time, researchers are in sanctuaries exploring the deep, monitoring kelp forests, tracking coral reef health, and more.
Sanctuaries Live gives you a front row seat to sanctuary science. Watch expedition livestreams, chat with scientists, master educational resources, and more. As we learn more about the mysteries of the ocean, we can better protect our blue planet.
Upcoming Events
Ocean Exploration in the Lakes: History of Thunder Bay NMS
Tuesday, June 8, 2021 — 11 am Hawaii / 2 pm Pacific / 5 pm Eastern
Celebrate World Ocean Day in the Great Lakes! Ocean Exploration Trust is beginning the 2021 season in Michigan on Lake Huron for a 3-week expedition. Join us for a look back into the history of scientific exploration in Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary including work with OET team members 20 years ago to discover some of the 80+ shipwrecks protected in this area. Bring your questions for a live conversation with Sanctuary Superintendent Jeff Gray, Expedition Leader Dwight Coleman, Mission Support Katie Lohr, and Education Coordinator Sarah Waters to learn how Michigan gained a National Marine Sanctuary, why this region is important to protect, and the many ways you can get involved in this sanctuary and others near you!
Ocean Exploration in the Lakes — 2021 Expedition Update
Wednesday, June 16, 2021 — 11 am Hawaii / 2 pm Pacific / 5 pm Eastern
Did you know 95% of the Great Lakes are still unmapped in modern high resolution? Returning to the Great Lakes after a 2019 expedition, OET has teamed up with Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary in northern Michigan for a lakebed mapping expedition using the research ASV BEN from the Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping at the University of New Hampshire (CCOM UNH). Join TBNMS Research Coordinator Stephanie Gandulla, ASV Research Lead Val Schmidt, and Mapping Coordinator Erin Heffron to discuss how this 3-week deployment in the lakes helps advance exploration, develop new technology, and make important discoveries essential to preserving resources in the only freshwater national marine sanctuary in the United States. Lakebed mapping will cover areas never scientifically surveyed before and determine areas of interest for future ROV and scientific scuba dives!
Expeditions
NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries works with partners to expand our understanding of sanctuaries through deep-water exploration and research. Learn about past, current, and future expeditions to your national marine sanctuaries, and find out how you can tune in to watch science in action.
Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration
NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS), and the state of North Carolina's Office of State Archaeology (OSA) will work with the Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration (GFOE) to explore and investigate historic shipwrecks in and surrounding Monitor National Marine Sanctuary.
Ocean Exploration Trust
NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries is teaming up with Ocean Exploration Trust to explore Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument and Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary in 2021.
Distance Learning Webinars
The National Marine Sanctuaries Webinar Series provides educators with educational and scientific expertise, resources, and training to support ocean and climate literacy in the classroom. Webinars are designed for teachers but are open to all.
Live Interactions
Join NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants for live interactions with NOAA and partner experts. Hear about scientists' experiences exploring national marine sanctuaries and ask them questions over chat. These interactions are the perfect opportunity for students and educators alike.