Ocean First Education Joins Mission Blue Partner Network

Ocean First Education today announced it has joined Mission Blue as an affiliate partner. The organization was founded by Dr. Sylvia Earle, and works to ignite public support for the protection of Hope Spots – special places considered vital to the health of the ocean. Mission Blue’s goal is to safeguard 20 percent of the ocean by 2020 and develop a global network of protected areas in the marine environment for the benefit of future generations.
 
Ocean First Education and Mission Blue share a passion for educating the public about the criticality of the ocean and a vision for developing greater respect for it. As a partner, Ocean First Education develops innovative, interactive curricula that brings the ocean to life for middle school to adult learners, regardless of where they live, and teaches students how the ocean impacts the entire planet.
 
“We welcome Ocean First Education into our partner network because our organizations are working to accomplish improved understanding of the ocean’s critical role in our daily lives,” said Deb Castellana, director of communications, Mission Blue. “Through marine science education and awareness efforts, we aim to positively influence how people care for our world, of which 71 percent is ocean. Through our extensive network, we hope to inspire the public worldwide about Ocean First Education’s work.”
 
According to National Geographic, the ocean generates 70 percent of the oxygen in the air, and absorbs much of the carbon dioxide. The ocean is responsible for the climate, the weather and the chemistry of Earth, and provides homes for most of the planet’s creatures. In 2009, Dr. Earle won the TED Prize and her acceptance speech has become the gold standard on the need to protect the ocean. View the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43DuLcBFxoY.
 
“Mission Blue’s objective is perfectly aligned with our work,” said Graham Casden, founder of Ocean First Education. “Through our marine science education courses, our mission is to teach students why the ocean must be protected, and inspire new depths of understanding in order to develop stewards of the sea.”
 
In celebration of this partnership, Ocean First Education is offering 20 percent off “The Truth about Sharks” course through March 31, 2016. Access the course at: https://oceanfirsteducation.com/product/the-truth-about-sharks, and enter promo code MissionBlue at checkout.
 
About Mission Blue
Mission Blue is a global initiative of the Sylvia Earle Alliance (SEA), a 501c3 organization formed in response to Sylvia Earle’s 2009 TED Prize wish. Dr. Earle urged people “to use all means at your disposal — films, expeditions, the web, new submarines — to create a campaign to ignite public support for a global network of marine protected areas; Hope Spots large enough to save and restore the blue heart of the planet.” Currently, the Mission Blue community includes 150+ respected ocean conservation groups and like-minded organizations to inspire an upwelling of public awareness, access and support for a worldwide network of marine protected areas. From the seamounts of the high seas to the shallow sunlit reefs, Mission Blue seeks to bring about a significant increase in ocean protection from less than four percent today to 20% by the year 2020. For more information, visit www.missionblue.org.
 
About Ocean First Education
Founded in 2008 and based in Boulder, Colorado, Ocean First Education provides innovative and dynamic online marine science courses for middle school through adult learners. Our team of educators, scientists and researchers are committed to increasing awareness of marine environments and engaging students through interactive experiences. Ocean First Education is grounded in its mission to inspire our students, teachers and community to become stewards of the sea. For more information, visit www.OceanFirstEducation.com.
 
 

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Michelle Baum

Media Relations

Moxie + Mettle

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michelle@moxiemettle.com