The National Marine Sanctuary Program identifies, designates and manages areas of the marine environment of special national significance due to their conservation, recreational, ecological, historical, research, educational, or aesthetic qualities. Access information and pictures of marine sanctuaries all over the U.S. and its territories. Discover ways to get involved with the sanctuary program, ... Full description.

These lesson plans in life sciences, physical science, chemistry and engineering link to projects of NOAA's Aquarius undersea research station. Topics include the: impacts of buoyancy, pressure and light on underwater research; effects of physical oceanography on coral reefs; effects of water temperature on the coral/zooxanthellae symbiosis; engineering of AUVs; fish survey techniques; chemical ecology; ... Full description.

Classroom activities based on how scientists study active volcanoes on the deep ocean floor. Activities include: locating an earthquake epicenter, recording geological and biological information during an ocean floor traverse, creating cross-section profiles of the ocean floor, and graphing seafloor data. Resources include videos and teacher guides. Full description.

The NOAA Photo Library has been built to capture the work, observations, and studies that are carried on by the scientists, engineers, commissioned officers, and administrative personnel that make up this complex and scientifically diverse agency. It also has been built in an attempt to capture NOAA's scientific heritage. To date, over 16,000 images have been digitized and reside in the online NOAA ... Full description.

High school level and higher description of mangroves with pictures. Page is full of fantastic photographs most featuring a descriptive caption. Topics discussed include mangrove reproduction, salt-tolerance, dealing with anoxic water and sediment, and mangrove-associated fauna. Full description.

High school level and higher description of Spartina salt marshes with pictures. Page is full of fantastic photographs most featuring a descriptive caption. Topics discussed include zonation, succession, and the intertidal zone. The habitat's associated flora and fauna are discussed. Organisms of particular interest include: Spartina alterniflora, Spartina patens, Geukenzia demissa, Mytilus edulis, ... Full description.

Description of coral reef environment for high school level and higher. Page is chock full of fantastic photographs each featuring a descriptive caption. Topics discussed include ecology, symbiosis, and predator defense. The site features many different species and stages of coral from all over the globe, and also many of the fishes that are associated with coral reefs. Full description.

One in a series of PBS specials entitled, "The Living Edens." Explore Palau, located in the tropical Pacific, with its unique habitats and marine life. This comprehensive resource includes four teaching activities, an interview with the co-producer and cinematographer, Al Giddings, a downloadable screen saver, and links to additional Palau information. The Under the Sea section contains an overview ... Full description.

An extensive collection of profiles, stories, and pictures documenting 200 years of the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration. Site contains biographical sketches, sea stories, art and poetry, and more from NOAA and its ancestor agencies. Explore the changes in vessels and instrumentation that first surveyed the United States and its waterways in the 1800s through the present day. Site ... Full description.

Natural history information on some of the organisms found on soft-bottoms mainly in the coasts of Washington. Good pictures and highlights on common invertebrates and plants species, with scientific names provided. Special emphasis on evolutionary adaptations of feeding and other interesting physiological issues. Information on sampling devices also included. Full description.