Mission, Vision, & Values

Mission: We empower youth worldwide to lead and catalyze collective action for a healthy ocean and a stable climate.

Vision: We envision young people working together in transformative ways to build a stronger movement for a sustainable, equitable society and a healthy blue planet where all living things can thrive.

Values: Collaboration | Community | Inclusion | Impact | Respect for All

One Ocean, One Climate, One Future – Together

For 28 years, The Ocean Project team has worked largely behind the scenes to advance our mission. We support and empower non-traditional stakeholders, develop collaborative campaigns, and drive collective impact. Together, with youth and our partner organizations, we are growing the movement for a healthy ocean and a stable climate.

  • 2023: Shifted our mission to focus on youth leadership and advocacy.
  • 2009: Began supporting and co-developing collaborative youth programs and campaigns to advance ocean and climate policy action at the community, national and international levels.
  • 2002: Launched global coordination of World Ocean Day, to provide a unique opportunity to highlight the ocean's importance for everyone on our blue planet and unite the world in celebration and collective action around the 8th of June and continued engagement throughout the year.
  • 1997: Launched with mission to empower aquariums, zoos, museums to develop into bolder leaders for conservation, including co-creating ocean and climate conservation action and policy campaigns.

Our 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 bold 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 have always openly shared our cutting edge market research data and effective communications insights. More here.

Our Team

Lean and collaborative by design, we are a data-driven and solutions-focused organization that punches far above its weight. Meet our team.