Sanctuary Advisory Council Recruitment

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is actively recruiting for 11 seats on its advisory council. The council ensures public participation in the management of the sanctuary by acting as a liaison between the Florida Keys community and sanctuary superintendent and staff. Council members provide advice about sanctuary operations and projects, while striving to represent the diverse user groups that make up our sanctuary community. Members provide expertise on both the local community and sanctuary resources, strengthen connections with the community, and help build increased stewardship for sanctuary resources.

The council is accepting applications for the following seats: Citizen At Large: Middle Keys (primary), Citizen At Large: Lower Keys (primary and alternate), Conservation and Environment: Seat 1 of 2 (primary), Diving: Upper Keys (alternate), Diving: Lower Keys (primary and alternate), Education and Outreach (primary), Fishing: Charter Flats (primary), Fishing: Commercial Marine Life/Tropical (primary and alternate).

Applications are due no later than February 15, 2024. Applications not received electronically or postmarked by February 15 will not be considered. For more information, please contact the council coordinator at Elizabeth.Trueblood@noaa.gov, or 305-434-9372.

Recruitment Cover Letter

Open Council Seats

Application Form

The Importance of Diversity

Whether within a natural ecosystem or a human community, diversity creates strength and resilience. NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries values the remarkable diversity of knowledge, perspectives, and experience found throughout sanctuary communities, and invites a wide range of individuals to seek membership on our sanctuary advisory councils. With a diverse membership, advisory councils can broaden access to understanding and participation in marine conservation and governance, foster innovation and creative problem solving, and can help advance the mission of the National Marine Sanctuary System.

"National marine sanctuaries are dedicated to the conservation, protection, and enhancement of America's marine and cultural legacy," said John Armor, director of the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. "They are also places where people from diverse backgrounds can find common ground and discuss possible solutions to critical challenges facing the ocean. We welcome and value the wide range of perspectives and expertise that advisory council members bring to the national marine sanctuary system."