Since the Ocean Conservancy was founded in 1972, it has changed names several times. With the support of conservation-minded individuals, they’ve accomplished many incredible things, starting with protecting whales and progressing to other wildlife and marine communities that create the web of our oceans.
One of their first initiatives was the Whale Protection Fund, which focused on saving whales and protesting commercial whaling by Russia and Japan. The Ocean Conservancy raised support from concerned citizens to invest in scientific research, launched petitions and ran ads in papers across the nation to raise awareness about the whaling industry. That commitment paid off when the International Whaling Commission finally banned commercial whaling in 1982.
In the early years, their work focused on species like whales, seals and sea turtles. While the Ocean Conservancy has been a part of many success stories, they realized they couldn’t protect species without protecting their habitat. Thinking bigger, the organization shifted to a more ecosystem-based approach. They were also one of the first environmental organizations to engage industries in conservation – a key part of their mission to this day.
In the 1980s, the Conservancy fought for key habitats to be protected under the Marine Sanctuary Program, and their staff started the very first International Coastal Cleanup in 1986.
Over the years, their mission grew and solidified to make them who they are today, a science-based organization that stands on the absolute conviction that each individual can make a positive difference for our oceans.
By working together with concerned citizens, the Ocean Conservancy seeks solutions for a healthy ocean and the wild communities that depend on it.
Today, The Conservancy is dedicated to finding solutions to the biggest threats facing our oceans. And they know that they can’t solve these problems without our support. The Conservancy realizes we all depend on a healthy ocean for the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat.
The Ocean Conservancy tackles the greatest global challenges facing our ocean today.
Even more, they focus on long-term solutions that promote a healthy ocean, abundant wildlife and thriving coastal communities.
The Ocean Conservancy realizes that what happens to the ocean impacts all of us. The ocean is everyone’s responsibility and the Ocean Conservancy can’t do it alone—they need to join forces with people around the world to keep our ocean and our coastal communities healthy and prosperous.
On Monday, July 20, I took part in a Zoom meeting (also presented as a Facebook live event) hosted by J.P. Brooker, director of Florida Conservation for the Ocean Conservancy, with Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Noah Valenstein. During the presentation, Brooker interviewed the secretary about the next steps for Senate Bill 712, which was signed into law by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Titled the Clean Waterways Act, SB 712 passed the 2020 Florida Legislature with bipartisan support and carries a wide range of water quality protection provisions aimed at minimizing the impact of known sources of nutrient pollution, realigning the state’s resources to enhance the protection of Florida’s environment and strengthening regulatory requirements.
Also discussed were outcomes from this year’s legislative session and other marine and coastal environmental issues that currently face the state. To access the meeting, visit the Ocean Conservancy or YouTube.
