Families From Key Largo Spend a Day Discovering and Fishing Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

May 24, 2024

Washington, D.C. (May 24, 2024)/OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/ – On Saturday, May 18th, National Park Trust partnered with the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation and NOAA to engage students from Key Largo, FL for a day of fishing at the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

After boarding a fishing charter boat, NOAA representatives taught students and their families about the local marine sanctuary, the fish and wildlife that call it home, and people’s role in helping to protect this unique ecosystem. Participants learned how to fish, put their new skills into action, and went home with their own fishing gear so they can come back and fish again as a family.

“We are thrilled to once again partner with the National Park Trust and the Sanctuary Foundation to provide opportunities for families to learn about our nation’s incredible marine ecosystems and the unparalleled recreational opportunities they afford,” said Janet Coit, Assistant Administrator for NOAA Fisheries.

“We are proud to help create opportunities for young people and families to experience national marine sanctuaries, including here in the Florida Keys. Building ocean stewards begins with building connections to the water and creating enriching experiences and positive memories,” said Allison Alexander, Sr. Vice President of Program Operations for the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. “It is exciting to see this wonderful program expand this year to five different sanctuaries, enabling more families to come together over one of the many recreational opportunities in these special waters.”

“National Park Trust is excited to continue our partnership with the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation and national marine sanctuaries across the country to engage youth and their families in meaningful outdoor activities,” said Grace Lee, National Park Trust executive director. “For the second year, we are teaching families how to fish and providing them with the necessary equipment, enabling them to enjoy this recreational activity and create lasting family memories.”

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation awarded funds to the National Park Trust to provide elementary-aged students, military service members, and their families with access to recreational fishing opportunities in national marine sanctuaries across the country. This event at Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is the first of five fishing events at national marine sanctuaries nationwide taking place in 2024. The four other event locations will be Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary in Texas on June 9th, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary on July 27th, Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary in Maryland on September 29th, and Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary in California on October 26th.

ABOUT NATIONAL PARK TRUST

National Park Trust’s mission is to preserve parks today and create park stewards for tomorrow. Since 1983, the Park Trust has acquired many of the missing pieces of our national parks, benefiting 52 national park sites. Our national youth education and family initiatives, including our Buddy Bison Programs and National Kids to Parks Day, serve hundreds of Title I schools annually and cultivate future park stewards. We believe that our public parks, lands, and waters should be cared for, enjoyed, and preserved by all for current and future generations. Find out more at parktrust.org.

Media Contact: Ivan Levin at 540.818.5818 or ivan@parktrust.org.

ABOUT NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY FOUNDATION

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, established in 2000, is the official non-profit partner of the National Marine Sanctuary System. The Foundation directly supports America’s national marine sanctuaries through our mission to protect species, conserve ecosystems and preserve cultural and maritime heritage. We accomplish our mission through community stewardship and engagement programs, on-the-water conservation projects, public education and outreach programs, and scientific research and exploration. The Foundation fosters innovative projects that are solution-oriented, scalable and transferable, and develop strategic partnerships that promote the conservation and recovery of species and their habitats. Learn more at marinesanctuary.org.

Media Contact: Chip Weiskotten at 301.754.6134 or chip@marinesanctuary.org

###