Ocean conservation education

The ocean gives us everything.
Let's give something back.

For the Shores is a growing project about protecting our coasts and seas. While we build, we want to share some resources so you can learn what's happening to the ocean, meet the people working to protect it, and find concrete ways you can help today.

Start learning Find ways to help

A non-commercial project. We don't sell anything. We point you toward good work.

Learn about the ocean

A short, honest picture of what's at stake, and the best places to go deeper. The ocean is one connected system, so we gather trusted resources from around the world.

50%+ of the oxygen we breathe comes from the ocean
~8M tons of plastic enter the ocean every year
1/3 of assessed fish stocks are overfished
~8% of the ocean is currently protected, with a goal of 30% by 2030

Smithsonian Ocean

A broad, well-sourced introduction to ocean life, ecosystems, and the science of conservation.

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National Geographic Education

Accessible explainers, maps, and classroom activities on marine life and the pressures it faces.

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UNESCO Ocean Literacy

The UN's global portal for understanding the ocean's influence on us, and ours on it.

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NOAA Ocean Service

The U.S. science agency's plain-language facts on tides, pollution, and coastal health.

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Seafood Watch

Monterey Bay Aquarium's guide to which seafood choices are sustainable and which to avoid.

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The Reef Authority

Australia's manager of the Great Barrier Reef, with rich learning material on reef ecosystems.

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The Good Fish Guide

The UK Marine Conservation Society's sustainability ratings for seafood sold across Europe.

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Who's making a difference

Real organizations doing real work, from cleaning coastlines to protecting marine habitat and changing policy, on several continents. Every one of these is worth your attention.

Oceana

The largest international group focused solely on winning policy victories for the ocean.

Policy

Marine Conservation Institute

Science-led protection standards behind Blue Parks, safeguarding the world's most effective marine reserves.

Marine reserves

The 5 Gyres Institute

Research and action to end plastic pollution at its source, across all five ocean gyres.

Plastic pollution

Ocean Conservancy

Science-based advocacy and the organizers behind the International Coastal Cleanup.

Policy & cleanup

Surfrider Foundation

A grassroots network of local chapters protecting beaches, waves, and clean water.

Grassroots

Coral Restoration Foundation

Restoring coral reefs and the life that depends on them, one colony at a time.

Restoration

Tangaroa Blue

The force behind the Australian Marine Debris Initiative, removing and tracking coastal litter.

Marine debris

Australian Marine Conservation Society

The independent voice for Australia's ocean wildlife, reefs, and marine parks.

Advocacy

Great Barrier Reef Foundation

Funding restoration, water quality, and science to protect the world's largest reef.

Restoration

Living Seawalls

Sydney Institute of Marine Science's eco-engineered panels that bring biodiversity back to hardened shorelines.

Eco-engineering

Marine Conservation Society

The UK charity behind beach cleans, the Good Fish Guide, and clean-seas campaigns.

Grassroots

Blue Marine Foundation

UK-based, working worldwide to place large swaths of ocean under protection.

Marine reserves

Coral Triangle Center

Indonesia-based training and community work protecting the world's richest coral reef ecosystems.

Reef protection

Fundación Malpelo

Colombia-based science and stewardship behind the Malpelo World Heritage marine sanctuary.

Marine reserves

Marine Megafauna Foundation

Mozambique-based research protecting manta rays, whale sharks, and other ocean giants worldwide.

Marine wildlife
  • Global
  • North America
  • Oceania
  • Europe
  • Asia
  • South America
  • Africa

How you can help

You don't need to do everything, but here are some good places to start.

  1. Join a local cleanup

    Coastal and river cleanups are the easiest way in, no experience needed. Search for one happening near you and bring a friend.

  2. Cut single-use plastic

    Most ocean plastic starts on land. A reusable bottle, bag, and cup genuinely add up, and refusing plastic sends a signal to the businesses watching.

  3. Choose sustainable seafood

    Check a trusted sustainability guide before you buy or order. Demand shapes what gets fished.

  4. Support the groups doing the work

    A recurring donation, even a small one, lets these organizations plan ahead.

  5. Use your voice

    Back a marine protected area, tell your representatives the ocean matters, and share what you learn. Policy protects the ocean at a scale individuals can't.

About For the Shores

For the Shores is an ocean education project started by two people who love the coast and want more of it to survive for the people who come after us. We're just getting underway, and there's more coming, but we didn't want an empty page standing between you and the many groups already doing extraordinary work.

So consider this a signpost. Everything linked here points to organizations and resources we find credible and worth your time. As the project grows, this space will become our home for original guides, local action, and community.