<div style="text-align: center;"><span>Celebrating our Progress in 2017</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Marine Conservation Institute " src="//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0819/9793/files/Pic_1_-_Marine_Conservation_Institute_-_Happy_Holidays_large.png?v=1515090346" style="float: none;"></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span><i>Photo: </i><a href="https://www.kellymmartin.com/"><i>Kelly Martin</i></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span>By Matt Coomer, Marine Conservation Institute Communications Coordinator</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span>This year was an exciting time at Marine Conservation Institute and, through it all, the strong support of partners like Sand Cloud Towels made our work possible. Reflecting on 2017, here’s what we’re celebrating this holiday season. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span><img src="//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0819/9793/files/Pic_2-_Tubbataha-DiverNearReef-YvetteLee_large.jpg?v=1515090357" alt="A diver in GLORES award-winner Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park. Photo: Yvette Lee, courtesy of the Tubbataha Reef Management Office"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span><i>A diver in GLORES award-winner Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park. Photo: Yvette Lee, courtesy of the </i><a href="http://www.tubbatahareef.org/home"><i>Tubbataha Reef Management Office</i></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span><i></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span>In September, we awarded the world’s first Global Ocean Refuges: <a href="http://www.parquesnacionales.gov.co/portal/es/ecoturismo/region-pacifico/santuario-de-flora-y-fauna-malpelo/">Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary</a>, <a href="http://www.tubbatahareef.org/home">Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park</a>, and <a href="https://www.papahanaumokuakea.gov/">Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument</a>. These exemplary blue parks show marine protection done right, and we’re promoting <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzdJpgA4qGQ">them</a> to guide others towards the same success. We’re already <a href="https://globaloceanrefuge.org/nominate/">accepting nominations</a> for the 2018 Global Ocean Refuge awards, so tell us about your favorite marine reserve and we’ll let the world know.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span><img src="//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0819/9793/files/Pic_3_-_Monuments_For_All_large.jpg?v=1515090364" alt="Monuments for all"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span><i>Tile: </i><a href="http://monumentsforall.org/action/"><i>Monuments For All</i></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span>As the Trump Administration attacks our marine national monuments, our team is pushing back. We presented an <a href="https://blog.marine-conservation.org/2017/08/overwhelming-support-for-marine-monuments-and-sanctuaries.html">analysis</a> of public comments that showed overwhelming support for our blue parks and strengthened our cause. Since President Trump announced <a href="https://blog.marine-conservation.org/2017/12/trump-attacks-utah-national-monuments.html">drastic cuts</a> to the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments, we have worked with lands-focused colleagues to raise awareness and show that an attack on one <a href="https://blog.marine-conservation.org/2017/12/save-the-marine-and-land-monuments.html">national monument</a> is an attack on all. We’re also collecting signatures for a <a href="https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/tell-trump-to-protect-1?source=s.icn.tw&amp;r_by=4089520">petition</a> to the President, so sign on and make your voice heard!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span><img src="//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0819/9793/files/Pic_4_-_Dr._Enric_Sala_Ocean_Protection_Presentation_large.jpg?v=1515090371" alt="National Geographic Explorer-In-Residence Dr. Enric Sala cites mpatlas.org data while presenting at Our Ocean 2017."></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span><i>National Geographic Explorer-In-Residence</i><a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.org/find-explorers/explorers/1C9BD4A/enric-sala"><i> </i><i>Dr. Enric Sala</i></a><i> cites mpatlas.org data while presenting at Our Ocean 2017.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span><i></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span>Our <a href="http://mpatlas.org/">Atlas of Marine Protection</a> (mpatlas.org) is keeping governments honest as they work to meet biodiversity targets. The Atlas works to track, clarify, and communicate marine protection where it matters most: on the water! Its analyses were showcased at international conferences like <a href="https://blog.marine-conservation.org/2017/09/impac4-highlights-pt-2.html">IMPAC4</a> in Chile and <a href="https://blog.marine-conservation.org/2017/10/our-ocean-2017.html">Our Ocean 2017</a> in Malta, where the <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.org/projects/pristine-seas/malta-declaration/">National Geographic Pristine Seas Initiative</a> used its data to support a call for strong ocean protection. We can’t wait to dive into a new year of ocean protections! </span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span><img src="//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0819/9793/files/Pic_5_-_Malpelo-galapagos-shark_SFF_Malpelo_large.jpg?v=1515090571" alt="A Galapagos shark in Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary. Photo courtesy of Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia "></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span><i>A Galapagos shark in Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary. Photo courtesy of </i><a href="http://www.parquesnacionales.gov.co/portal/es/ecoturismo/region-pacifico/santuario-de-flora-y-fauna-malpelo/"><i>Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia</i></a><i> </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span>The ocean is better off for our work this year and we’re excited to keep making waves. It is our honor to receive support from Sand Cloud Towels and, together, we’re tackling ocean challenges to ensure wildlife like dolphins and sea turtles always have a healthy place to call home. Happy holidays and best fishes for a bright 2018!</span></div>

Marine Conservation Institute - Celebrating our Progress in 2017