2024 Blue Parks Small Grants Awarded to Six Marine Conservation Projects

Marine Conservation Institute is excited to announce the six recipients of the 2024 Blue Parks Small Grants. These grants support projects that enhance marine protected areas (MPAs) and strengthen conservation outcomes. All recipients are members of the Blue Parks Network and are dedicated to preserving critical ocean ecosystems for future generations.

The Palau National Marine Sanctuary (PNMS) is one of six 2024 Blue Parks Small Grants recipients. The Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) will use this grant to organize interactive sessions with a research team aboard their vessel for offshore expeditions. By connecting communities to this unique ecosystem, they hope to foster appreciation and support for the sanctuary’s protection and management.

Dr. Sarah Hameed, Director of the Blue Parks initiative at Marine Conservation Institute, expressed enthusiasm for the projects: “We are thrilled to support these outstanding protected areas and their hardworking management teams in their critical work to protect marine life. Their innovative projects and dedication to marine conservation are inspiring, and we look forward to continued collaboration.” The Blue Parks Small Grants program encourages innovative solutions to strengthen conservation outcomes. It forms part of Marine Conservation Institute’s broader Blue Parks initiative, which sets a global standard for MPA quality through the Blue Park Standard. The initiative incentivizes governments and managers with annual awards and ongoing support, improving marine conservation efforts worldwide through Blue Spark collaborations. Blue Parks Small Grants are supported by Blue.

For more information about Blue Parks, visit: https://marine-conservation.org/blueparks/.