The Ocean Project catalyzes collective action for a healthy ocean and a stable climate. We work in partnership with youth leaders and a wide range of organizations around the world.

By collaborating with youth leaders, youth organizations, aquariums, zoos, and other community organizations we are developing a global network that effectively engages the public and informs local, national and international policymakers. Together, we are growing the movement to protect and restore our blue planet.

Everything The Ocean Project does is based on the values of collaboration and community, inclusion and impact, and respect for all people and life with whom we share our blue planet home. We recognize that a healthy ocean -- covering 71% of our planet -- is essential for life, allowing humans and the rest of nature to survive and thrive.

The Ocean Project team works largely behind the scenes to achieve our mission. Through the power of effective partnerships with youth and an inclusive and diverse network of 2,000+ partner organizations in 150+ countries, we focus on collaborative campaigns and creating collective impact by growing the movement for a healthy ocean and a stable climate.

Youth engagement and leadership is the central focus for all we do.

• From our start in 1997 through 2022, we focused on supporting aquariums, zoos, museums to develop into bolder community, national, and international leaders for conservation, including co-creating conservation action campaigns.
• In 2002 we launched global coordination of World Ocean Day as a unique opportunity to spotlight the importance of the ocean for everyone on our blue planet and unite the world for celebration and collective action around 8 June and throughout the year.
• Starting in 2009, we began to support and co-develop collaborative youth programs and campaigns to advance community, national and international ocean and climate policy action.
• Youth engagement, leadership, and advocacy became our central focus starting early in 2023.

• Support youth to be change makers who effectively communicate, educate, and engage with their communities and decision makers
• Share resources and solutions among our network and beyond to catalyze collaborative action worldwide
• Connect youth with organizational leaders on policy to add maximum value to national and international campaigns
• Grow our network of youth leaders and youth organizations to continually enhance the global movement for a better future

Youth Engagement and Leadership

We've been steadily building a global youth network and collaborating on youth leadership and advocacy since 2009. To help develop a broad, diverse, active, and united youth movement for our blue planet, we conduct collaborative advocacy training programs on the intersectional issues, connect youth-focused organizations for collaboration on policy campaigns, spotlight diverse youth leaders, and co-develop national and international ocean and climate policy-focused campaigns. More here.

World Ocean Day

The Ocean Project launched global coordination of World Ocean Day in 2002. Powered by the World Ocean Day Youth Advisory Council, with 25 members from around the world, this unique global celebration of our one shared ocean unites the world for collective action in June. We engage the World Ocean Day network all 365 days for stewardship and collaborative action to improve national and international policy. More here.

Partner Network

We've grown from a handful of co-founding organizations in 1997 into one of the most extensive networks ever created for ocean and climate action. We work largely behind-the-scenes, embracing intersectional strategies and supporting youth and other key partners to be bolder leaders. We collaborate with national and international policy-focused organizations to scale success, and we share lessons learned with our global partner network so all can benefit. To support our network of diverse partners and the larger conservation community, we openly share our data and insights. Any organization can join our network or sign up as an individual to be kept informed. More here.