#responsiblerecreation

[noaasanctuaries]

Time for some Monday Motivation!

And there's nothing more motivating than one of the ocean’s most marvelous and breathtaking animals: The Sea Cucumber! Seen here striking a provocative pose in the NOAA National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa there really is no other creature that embodies drive and energy quite like a sea cucumber.

Are you motivated yet?

Image: Sea cucumber in National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa. (Photo: Greg McFall/NOAA)

[noaasanctuaries]

Happy 105th Birthday to the National Park Service!

Did you know many of your National Marine Sanctuaries work alongside some of your favorite National Parks? Rialto Beach, pictured here and found near Olympic National Park, is located on the shores of Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. Learn about in-park programs and virtual experiences by visiting: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/nps-birthday.htm. (Photo: Karlyn Langjahr/NOAA. Image description: Large rock formations on Rialto Beach.)

[noaasanctuaries]

NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries protects America's most iconic natural and cultural marine resources.

This year, we are celebrating the seventh annual "Get into Your Sanctuary" event to continue to raise awareness about the value of our national marine sanctuaries. Join us from August 2-8 for a unique opportunity to experience all of NOAA's National Marine Sanctuary System from wherever you are, through virtual and in person opportunities! For more information and a full list of activities, visit: https://go.usa.gov/xHSDr. (Photo: Matt McIntosh/NOAA. Image description: A person on a rocky beach looking out over the water.)

[noaasanctuaries]

Are you ready to Get Into Your Sanctuary? There are a few things you should know before you go!

Encountering wildlife can be a once-in-a lifetime opportunity. For their safety as well as yours, please follow a few guidelines to ensure a positive and memorable experience:

🦦 Keep your hands to yourself and keep wildlife safe and healthy. 🐢 Report wildlife that seems sick or abandoned and leave it to the experts! 🐕 Keep pets home or on a leash. 🥤 Lend a hand with trash removal and keep their home clean. 🍟 Keep your snacks to yourself and let wildlife find their own food! 🏅 Lead by example and help others become responsible wildlife watchers. 🌅 Hang back and enjoy the view!

Take the pledge to respect, protect, and enjoy your #WildSanctuaries! Visit https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/wildlife-viewing/pledge.html. (Photo: Bruce Sudweeks. Image description: Stand-up paddleboarder near a shark beneath the surface.)

[noaasanctuaries]

Getting out on the water can be great for your physical and mental health.

National Marine Sanctuaries, like Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, were created to provide the public with opportunities to responsibly enjoy these special places while protecting their unique beauty, biodiversity, and historical significance for future generations. How do you #RecreateResponsibly for National Fishing and Boating Week? (Photo: Sepp Haukebo. Image description: A boat of people fishing near Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary.)

[noaasanctuaries]

When planning a fishing trip within Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, book with a Blue Star recognized charter and know you are selecting an operator dedicated to education and habitat conservation.

Want to learn more? Check out: https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/bluestar/. (Photo: Matt McIntosh/NOAA. Image description: An adult showing a young kid how to fish off a boat.)

[noaasanctuaries]

Get your fish on!

Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary offers great recreational fishing opportunities. Learning about sustainable recreational fishing offers an opportunity for young people to gain knowledge about the ocean while instilling a life-long ocean stewardship practice. (Photo: Matt McIntosh/NOAA. Image description: A young person fishing along the shoreline.)

[noaasanctuaries]

Be Winter-Ready for Your Adventure in National Marine Sanctuaries

Read the full story: https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/news/feb21/winter-ready-for-adventure.html

Summer may feel far away but the National Marine Sanctuary System is full of adventures for every winter warrior! Whether you’re casting a line or diving into the sea, you can try your hand at a wide variety of recreational activities even in the dead of winter.

Don your winter dive gear or grab a snorkel, and explore reefs, shipwrecks, and other gems hiding just below the surface. Dare to go deeper? Scuba divers can sink down to even more adventures and explore kelp forests in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and sea caves in Channel Islands National Park and National Marine Sanctuary.

You can enjoy some of the best experiences in the sanctuaries by venturing out on the water. Explore the mysteries of the deep from above and peer down at historical shipwrecks and colorful fish as you paddle through sanctuary waters on a kayak, canoe, or paddle board.

Another incredible experience out on the water that is suitable for all ages is whale watching. Getting out on the water and seeing shipwrecks up close, reeling in a catch, and seeing a whale breach are all unforgettable memories you can make this winter in sanctuary waters.

Even if you can’t come visit us in person this winter, you can still bring a piece of the sanctuaries home through a variety of online resources! You can dive in without even getting wet by checking out our 360 virtual dive gallery. Through our immersive virtual reality videos, you can watch sea lions swim through a kelp forest, explore sunken shipwrecks, help restore a coral reef, and check out other unique treasures hidden under the waves right from your home. Then, increase your ocean knowledge through our free educational webinar series. 

No matter where you are or what time of year it is, your national marine sanctuaries are ready for all your ideas of adventure. We hope to see you soon!

Read the full story: https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/news/feb21/winter-ready-for-adventure.html