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 Gene Cope Memorial Youth Ocean Education Fund

The Coastal America Foundation's Youth Ocean Education Fund was established in memory of Gene Cope from NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service. Gene Cope served as the Coastal America Education & Outreach Coordinator from 1995-1996 and helped develop the concept of the Coastal America Learning Center network. As NOAA's representative to the Coastal America education partnership, he remained actively involved with partnership educational efforts. In 2004, he served as the coordinator for the First National Student Summit on Oceans and Coasts. The summit is a youth initiative that brings delegations of high school students from learning centers across the country to Washington D.C. to discuss coastal and ocean issues. The students develop action plans and projects to address key issues in their communities. Throughout his career, Gene Cope was actively involved both professionally and personally in promoting ocean literacy and encouraging student action. In addition to his active involvement with the Learning Center Network he also supported the National Ocean Sciences Bowl as a judge and the Environmentors Program as a mentor for at-risk youth in Washington, D.C.

Contributions to the fund will be used to support students involved in Learning Center Youth Initiatives such as the student summits that he initiated and other activities focused on engaging youth in coastal & ocean related efforts and promoting STEM skills.  To contribute to the fund online go to www.CoastalAmericaFoundation.org/donateonline.html and click on Gene Cope Memorial Youth Ocean Education Fund.  A check can also be written to the Coastal America Foundation with a notation that it is for the Gene Cope Education Fund.   The check should be mailed to Coastal America Foundation, 100 Muron Avenue, Bellingham, MA 02019-0221.

World Ocean Day

Jerry Schubel: Premiere of North America's MPA films at National Geographic

Jane Lubchenco: World Oceans Day event at National Geographic

Watch the webcast of the events that were streamed live on June 8th here.

The Coastal America Partnership hosted an ocean celebration festival with special guests and fun, educational activities and a live webcaston World Oceans Day, June 8 at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History in Washington D.C. In case you missed it, check out the CA blog for exclusive photos, videos and highlights from the event.