What they do
The Sylvia Earle Alliance, operating under the Mission Blue banner, identifies and advocates for Hope Spots: special places critical to ocean health. The organization works with local communities, governments, and conservation partners to establish protection for these areas. Since 2008, they have championed 150+ Hope Spots across every ocean basin and supported expeditions to document marine biodiversity in underexplored regions.
Why they matter
Mission Blue translates scientific urgency into political action. Their Hope Spots framework gives communities a tangible goal: designate and protect your critical marine area. The organization has directly contributed to the 30x30 movement, now the most ambitious ocean conservation target in history. With Sylvia Earle's personal credibility and decades of relationship-building, Mission Blue opens doors that other organizations cannot.
How to support
Follow Mission Blue on social media for expedition updates and Hope Spot announcements. Attend their virtual events and film screenings. Donate to support expeditions and community partnerships. If you are a diver, scientist, or educator, apply to participate in Hope Spot documentation projects.
Key project to explore
The Galápagos Hope Spot campaign successfully advocated for Ecuador's expansion of the Galápagos Marine Reserve by 60,000 square kilometers in 2022, creating one of the largest marine protected areas in the Eastern Pacific.