Connecting People to America's National Marine Sanctuaries
I would like to express my excitement, honor, and humility in joining the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation.
The opportunity to lead the Foundation as it looks to enter its second decade is at once, a challenging, daunting, and exhilarating one.
Much of my own 20-year career has been dedicated to marine resource conservation, in the Administration, on Capitol Hill, internationally, and with for-profit and non-profit organizations. This diverse experience gives me the perspective to appreciate just how unique and successful the Foundation has been over its short history. And it has given me the insight to appreciate why. It is the strength of our mission; the talent and dedication of our small staff; and most of all, the commitment of people like you.
Notwithstanding our achievements, we cannot afford to be complacent. The challenges in protecting our ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes are now greater and more complex than ever. Indeed, it can seem almost impossible to know where to begin in protecting the more than 70 percent of our Earth that makes up our marine environment. Yet
our priorities are clear: we begin with those places that have already been identified as the most unique, the most special and the most important places across U.S. waters -- our national marine sanctuaries. And our programs are diverse and far-reaching: advocacy, awareness, education, and conservation -- the themes highlighted in this annual report -- reinforce each other, creating meaningful and lasting results. My goal is to nurture and strengthen our current programs, and to complement them across local, national, and international levels.
Your support of the Foundation has been instrumental to our success in strengthening the sanctuary system and promoting broader marine conservation. I very much look forward to building on the successes of the past to fulfill our aspirations for the future of the ocean.
Sincerely,
Jason Patlis
President and CEO
