The Blue and You

The sites of the National Marine Sanctuary System are different things to different people: places to play, to explore, to give back to their communities. In this section, learn how people all across the country are supporting their national marine sanctuaries – and how you can do the same.

First, check out the Sanctuary Ocean Count, an annual volunteer event in Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Across the Hawaiian Islands, members of the public team up to help the sanctuary understand just how many humpback whales use the warm Hawaiian waters.

Then, hear from Hannah MacDonald, a longtime volunteer with national marine sanctuaries. For MacDonald, sanctuaries are home: she began volunteering with Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary as a high school student, and today she continues to work closely with sanctuaries.

Next, learn about how virtual reality is helping people get into their sanctuaries from all different parts of the world. Finally, discover how an exhibit at the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art helps bring the century-old story of the USS Monitor to life.