Foundation and Partners

The sanctuary achieves lasting conservation and protection of our coastal and ocean resources through collaboration with a diverse range of partners, including state and local governments, non-governmental organizations, industry, academic and science institutions, local communities, and businesses. By leveraging the strengths of these collaborations, we can achieve much greater success than going it alone.

Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary Foundation

The Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary Foundation provides additional support to the sanctuary. Image: Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary Foundation

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation supports Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary nationally and through a local chapter. We partner with the Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary Foundation to provide additional ways to discover Gray's Reef through education programs, conservation missions, public outreach events, and charitable giving campaigns.

NOAA Fisheries

NOAA Fisheries provides Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary with law enforcement and regulations for protected species within the sanctuary such as North Atlantic right whales and sea turtles. NOAA Fisheries is also represented on the Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council.

United States Coast Guard

An orange helicopter hovers over a boat while a helmeted person looks on. — The U.S. Coast Guard often partners with Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary for helicopter training. Photo: NOAA

The US Coast Guard supports Gray's Reef through emergency readiness training, fly overs, and their work on the Gray's Reef Sanctuary Advisory Council.

Georgia Department of Natural Resources - Coastal Resources Division

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources Coastal Resources Division (GADNR CRD) is a vital local partner in the management of Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary. GADNR CRD staff partner and support a variety of functional areas including scientific research, data management, community and stakeholder outreach, and enforcement. GADNR CRD is also represented on the Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council.

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources is another vital local partner in the management of Gray's Reef, and works with the Gray's Reef team in conducting scientific research and stakeholder outreach.

South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council

With Gray's Reef located within the South Atlantic, the Gray's Reef team collaborates with the South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council on habitat and fisheries research, data management, stakeholder outreach, and citizen science projects.

University of Georgia Skidaway Institute of Oceanography

Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary relies on a blended workforce of federal employees and state contractors to perform the scientific, resource protection, outreach, and administrative goals. In 2013, the institute merged with the University of Georgia (UGA), and continues to support the management and research missions specific to Gray's Reef including mapping and acoustic telemetry; as well as joint community outreach, and participation on the Gray's Reef Sanctuary Advisory Council.

University of Georgia Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant

Another local University of Georgia (UGA) partner supporting Gray's Reef is the University of Georgia Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant. Not only is the UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant a member of the Gray's Reef Sanctuary Advisory Council, but also an active partner for outreach and citizen science. Gray's Reef is also privileged to host multiple Georgia Sea Grant Fellows.

Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve

An aerial image of a coastal salt marsh — Salt marsh–like the one shown here–act as nurseries for species that eventually make their way out to Gray's Reef and are protected by the Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve. Photo: Matt McIntosh/NOAA

Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve (SINERR) located on Sapelo Island is not only the closest landmass to Gray's Reef, but the reef itself was once known as the Sapelo Live Bottom. While Gray's Reef and SINERR partner in ecological connectivity research due to proximity, SINERR also supports Gray's Reef outreach by hosting a Gray's Reef exhibit, and supports the management of Gray's Reef through their participation on the Sanctuary Advisory Council.

National Data Buoy Center

Map of the southeast United States showing the location of ocean buoys with black dots and Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary with a yellow buoy.

Gray's Reef is home to Station 41008 (LLNR 833), a buoy from the National Data Buoy Center. The buoy provides historical and real time sea state data to both researchers and recreational users.

Exhibit Partners

Museums, aquaria, and visitor centers across the southeast U.S. host exhibits about the wonders of Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary.