Global Ocean Legacy

Creating the Great Parks of the Sea

When Yellowstone National Park was established in 1872, it not only ensured protection for one of the United States’ most spectacular landscapes, it was the beginning of a new way of thinking about protecting the environment. 

Global Ocean Legacy, a project of Pew and its partners, worked with local communities, governments and scientists around the world to protect and conserve some of our most important and unspoiled ocean environments. Together we are establishing the world’s first generation of great marine parks by securing the designation of large, fully protected reserves. To date, our efforts have helped to safeguard 6.3 million square kilometers of ocean—an area 12 times the size of Central America. This accounts for about 80 percent of all fully protected ocean to date.

Partners

Global Ocean Legacy partnered with philanthropic leaders who shared a vision: to protect the world’s ocean for future generations by creating 15 great parks in the sea—all at least 200,000 square kilometers (75,000 square miles)—by 2022. Founded in 2006, each partner in the initiative assumes an “equal share,” leveraging their investment and working together to select reserve sites and make critical decisions in every project’s direction and strategy. 

Pew is grateful to the Sandler Foundation, the Tubney Charitable Trust, and the other founding members of Global Ocean Legacy, many of whom are still involved today.

Our current partners are Bloomberg Philanthropies, Lyda Hill, Oak Foundation, The Robertson Foundation, and The Tiffany & Co. Foundation.

Island Voices

Global Ocean Legacy has long worked with Pacific island communities to protect the ocean. Island Voices brings together artists, educators, former government officials, and traditional Pacific voyagers to support the creation of large, fully protected marine reserves. Learn more about the Island Voices collaboration here.

Science Advisory Board

Global Ocean Legacy’s Scientific Advisory Board was comprised of nine esteemed scientists with expertise in marine biology and fisheries disciplines. The board members guided the efforts to help create the world’s first generation of great marine parks. Learn more about the Scientific Advisory Board here.