About

About The Thank You Ocean Campaign

The California’s Thank You Ocean Campaign is a nonprofit partnership supported by the State of California, the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and the Ocean Communicators Alliance. The campaign mission is to raise awareness of the benefits the ocean provides to us and to identify ways each of us can help protect the ocean in our everyday lives.

The campaign features a public service announcement produced by world-renowned cinematographer, Bob Talbot, an out-of-door advertising campaign, a bi-weekly podcast series featuring leaders in ocean policy, and this Web site. The campaign is focused on educating the public about the importance of sustaining ocean life and inspiring Californians to practice ocean stewardship to alleviate four major threats to the ocean:

• Climate change
• Marine debris
• Water pollution
• Marine life decline

A Call to Action

In Governor Schwarzenegger’s 2004 Ocean Action Plan, he called for the development of a public awareness campaign that empowers individuals to understand and take action to address the threats facing the ocean. The 2004 federal U.S. Ocean Action Plan also called for greater public education about the importance of the nation’s coasts and oceans. In 2006, the California Thank You Ocean Campaign was launched to fulfill both of these plans’ call to action.

Award-Winning Campaign

In 2008, the Thank You Ocean Campaign received the Coastal America Award, the highest award from the White House, for its ocean and coastal initiatives. In addition, Governor Schwarzenegger proclaimed June 8, 2008 “Thank You Ocean Day” throughout California to coincide with World Ocean Day.

Thank You Ocean Campaign Leadership, Staff & Consultants

The Thank You Ocean Campaign is co-chaired by:

• Brian Baird, Assistant Secretary for Ocean and Coastal Policy, California Natural Resources Agency
• Matt Stout, Chief of Staff, Communications and Media, NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries

Several staff members support the campaign as well, including:

• Sarah Marquis, West Coast/Pacific Media Coordinator, NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries
• Amy Boone-Vierra, Ocean and Coastal Policy Analyst, California Natural Resources Agency
• Claire Fackler, National Education Liaison, NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries
• Valerie Termini, Project Manager, California Ocean Protection Council
• Tim Jemal, CEO, Jemal Public Affairs and Cara Stewart Good, CEO, WunderMarx|PR (Campaign Strategists)