Thank you for making 2014 a great year for the ocean!

By Mark J. Spalding, President

“Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.”

– Ryunosuke Satoro

One of the founding principles of The Ocean Foundation is that working together, we can accomplish amazing things in support of the health and sustainability of the seas.  As 2014 draws to a close, we’d like to thank all of our friends, partners, and sponsors for their contributions to all things ocean.  Your continued support fuels our efforts across the globe to address the on-going challenges in ocean conservation. 

We know that to be touched by the ocean is to be changed forever.  Consider the face of a child whose feet are washed by that first wave. The seas support us in so many unseen and as yet, immeasurable ways, and we take to heart the responsibility to protect her bounty, beauty and magic. 

2014 was a big year for The Ocean Foundation in that we celebrated our tenth anniversary. Ten years of successfully striving to reverse the destruction of ocean environments. Ten years of working to conserve marine habitats and special places around the globe.  Ten years of sometimes smacking our heads together in search of the right solutions for problems that oftentimes seem overwhelming.

And we’ve been able to do it all because of your generosity.

We’ve focused our energies in four special categories of concern:

1. Protecting Marine Habitats and Special Places
2. Protecting Species of Concern
3. Building Marine Community and Capacity
4. Expanding Ocean Literacy

These categories cover a range of projects from Ocean Acidification and MPAs, to protecting sea turtles, sharks and dolphin.  We created the “Friends of the Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network” affinity fund, in support of necessary research to address this most pressing issue.  We’ve built networks that foster interdisciplinary educational programs and internships connecting students with study opportunities in countries outside the United States.

Through our Ocean Leadership Initiative we continue to generate ideas about emerging issues and effective solutions, and provide advice to the field.  In 2014 we added several new fiscally sponsored projects that include:

• Rebuilding Strategies for US Fisheries Project
• SmartFish International
• High Seas Alliance
• Sonar and Whales
• The Lost Years – Pelagic Life History Project
• Ocean Defense
• Ocean Courier
• Friends of the Delta
• Lagoon Time Book Project

“…Together, we are an ocean.”

And together, we can perpetuate the good work.  Our fiscal responsibility record speaks for itself.  Of all the resources raised in 2014, 83% went to fund programs.

So we are asking for your continued support in whatever way is possible.

Please consider making a gift to our Ocean Leadership Initiative today. Your investment keeps us working toward solving our ocean’s most pressing challenges. Every gift – no matter the amount – makes a difference. The collective impact of your generosity gives us the tools we need to collaborate and innovate, as well as to foster and implement solutions throughout the world.

Please click HERE to make your gift online. Or, you may contact Nora Burke at 202.887.8996 or [email protected].

Thank you for your consideration. I wish you and your loved ones happy holidays and a prosperous new year. 

Warm regards,

Mark J. Spalding, President

Photo Credits:
Dad and Daughter by Peter Werkman via Flickr Creative Commons (www.www.peterwerkman.nl)