Everything You Need to Know About Hope Spots
Hope Spots are special places that are critical to the health of the ocean — Earth’s blue heart. Dr. Sylvia Earle
The Legendary Dr. Sylvia Earle
Dr. Sylvia Earle, the legendary marine biologist and oceanographer behind Hope Spots, grew up on the Florida Gulf Coast in Dunedin. (Go Dunedin!) From her love of the ocean, she has initiated a global effort with the Mission Blue: Sylvia Earle Alliance (inspires action to explore and protect the ocean), to shed light on these vital ecosystems! We highly encourage watching her film "Mission Blue" to understand Sylvia and her passion of the ocean.
Hope Spots are about recognizing, empowering and supporting individuals and communities around the world in their efforts to protect the ocean. Dr. Sylvia Earle
So What Makes A Hope Spot?
They can be large, they can be small, but they all provide hope due to:
A special abundance or diversity of species, unusual or representative species, habitats or ecosystems
Particular populations of rare, threatened or endemic species
A site with potential to reverse damage from negative human impacts
The presence of natural processes such as major migration corridors or spawning grounds
Significant historical, cultural or spiritual values
Particular economic importance to the community
There are currently a total of 76 Hope Spots around the world, including Moreton Bay Marine Park in Australia, the glass sponge reefs of Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound in Canada and the Jardines de la Reina in Cuba.
The idea is that anyone can nominate a site special to him or her—a site that gives HOPE. Collectively all of these Hope Spots will create a global wave of community support for ocean conservation that leaders and policymakers can’t ignore. Mission Blue
Florida Gulf Coast Hope Spot & Blue-Green Connections
Remember our friends Blue-Green Connections? ALSO our featured nonprofit we
will be supporting with our fundraiser Costa Rica Tour! Well they do some amazing work with our land and waters here on the Florida Gulf Coast and even helped achieve a Hope Spot right here in Florida in 2019. Read more about Blue-Green Connections here!
