News you can use from the National Ocean Service
February 11, 2026
Rear Admiral Evelyn Fields was the first woman and first African American to lead the NOAA Corps.
February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate the accomplishments and contributions that African Americans have made in our country. Learn more about how some NOAA employees celebrate this meaningful month and those staff who made waves in the NOAA Corps and beyond while dedicating their careers to NOAA’s mission of science and stewardship.
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 | 7:30-8:30 p.m. ET
How did a federal agency, zoo and aquarium, not-for-profit, and marine salvage and response group of companies combine forces to remove 1,700 pounds of marine debris from the seafloor? Join us for a journey into the heavy lift of commercial diving in a national marine sanctuary, and learn about additional projects underway to support the health of our oceans for future generations.
|
Thursday, February 19, 2026 | 11 a.m. ET
This NOAA Experiential Research and Training Opportunity (NERTO) examines how the Aquaculture Phytoplankton Monitoring Network (AQPMN) and the Gullah/GeecheeNation co-developed participatory science initiatives that strengthen NOAA's mission to support resilient coastal communities and economies. The project combined engagement at community and NOAA-led events with citizen science in St. Helena, South Carolina to help community members share local ecological knowledge while NOAA scientists provided assistance and connections to federal programs. The findings benefit not only the Gullah/Geechee Nation, but also other resource-restricted coastal communities by collaborating with federal partners on monitoring, adaptation, and coastal management initiatives.
Thursday, February 19, 2026 | 2 p.m. ET
This presentation shares Skipper Science's use of a citizen science methodology enabled by technology to support in-person weather observations that help validate National Weather Service models. It also summarizes the development and field validation of a precipitation sensor designed to detect freezing spray in maritime environments, highlighting deployment challenges, data quality considerations, and key findings from multi-year testing across diverse conditions.
Region: Nationwide
CoCoRaHS is a unique, non-profit, community-based network of volunteers of all ages and backgrounds working together to measure and map precipitation (e.g. rain, hail and snow). By using low-cost measurement tools, training, education, and utilizing an interactive website, the goal is to provide the highest quality data for natural resource, education, and research applications.
|
Webinar Dates: February 11 and February 25, 2026
Join the New York Department of Environmental Conservation's Hudson River Estuary Management Program and the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve’s - Free Virtual Winter Speaker Series! Meet and learn from scientists, community leaders, and environmental educators who work at the intersection of research, education, and environmental, and social justice. Engage in discussions about monitoring and research, field-based learning, and creating pathways to overcome barriers and challenges in the field of science and education.
|
Date: Thursday, July 16, 2026
Location: Cambridge, MD at the National Marine Educators Association Conference
Scholarship Applications Due: Saturday, February 28, 2026
Calling all early-career educators!
Are you ready to bring the future of ocean exploration into your classroom? Join NOAA Ocean Exploration at the 2026 NMEA National Conference for our first-ever Blue Technology Education Workshop! This full-day immersive experience is designed to give you the tools, confidence, and industry connections needed to inspire the next generation of ocean innovators.
What to expect:
- Direct networking with blue tech organizations.
- Explore classroom-ready resources, student competitions, and teacher training opportunities.
- Collaborative strategy sessions with fellow educators.
Cost: $50 (Add it to your conference registration!)
Scholarships are available for $1200 to attend the workshop
Don’t miss this chance to dive deep into marine engineering and exploration. Let’s empower the explorers of tomorrow!
|
 |
Workshop Dates: July 28-30, 2026
Pre-registration is now open for the 2026 Resilient Futures Teacher Workshop!
Middle school and high school educators are invited to a three-day in-person teacher workshop. Engage with sessions on education resources, including scientist talks, lab tours, and networking sessions by Center for Education, Engagement and Evaluation, NOAA, and friends. This session will cover topics such as climate science, natural hazards, water resources, data literacy, and more. Graduate credits available.
Participants will leave with a variety of classroom-ready lessons/activities and can receive a 20-hour PD certificate OR 1-2 Continuing Education credits from the University of Colorado Boulder upon course completion.
After pre-registration closes, a small registration fee will be required when the official registration opens. Participants who complete the course will receive a gift card.
Check out these resources for ways to incorporate Black History Month into your instruction:
|
We’ve seen some tremendous snow recently on the East Coast and there is still time for more to cover the ground before the season is over. When students have questions about how snowflakes are formed, or how scientists help ships avoid ice in dangerous situations, there are resources that you can use to answer their questions. Take some time to review these snow and ice resources so that you can build on the excitement and curiosity that winter weather brings.
|
Applications Due: ASAP
The Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve is seeking a passionate leader as their new Education Coordinator. The position is open now and they are looking to fill it immediately. This is a vital position for the Reserve and our system, serving as the bridge between coastal science and local communities. They are looking for someone ready to build upon the strong foundation laid by the previous coordinator and take efforts to new heights.
Applications Due: Tuesday, March 3, 2026
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of $3.2 million in funding for locally and regionally focused environmental education grants is now available under the Environmental Education (EE) Grant Program. EPA will award grants between $200,000-$250,000 each, up to 16 grants nationwide.
These grants support hands-on projects that help people better understand environmental challenges in their own communities and take practical steps to address them. Funded projects will focus on environmental education efforts that use modern tools, including artificial intelligence, to help identify problems early, monitor water quality, and prevent future water contamination before it affects families and neighborhoods. Funded projects will also provide participants the skills necessary to make informed decisions to take responsible actions toward environment stewardship.
Visit the Environmental Education Grant Homepage to learn more about this year’s competition, review program FAQs, and access applicant resources. If you have questions about the funding opportunity, please email EEGrants@epa.gov.
Applications Due: Friday, March 6, 2026
The Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps, in partnership with Maryland Corps/Service Year Option, places young adults (ages 18-25) with nonprofit organizations or government agencies for a fulltime, one-year term of stipend-supported service in the environmental field. The Corps provides young professionals with experience, leadership and professional development training, mentorship, and a support network with other young environmentalists. Positions offered by host organizations are in the fields of environmental restoration, community engagement, environmental education, climate change, sustainable agriculture, energy conservation, and forestry.
Do you have an item you'd like to share
in future issues of The Watch?
|
|
