The Inland Ocean Coalition, a project of The Ocean Foundation, provides opportunities for individuals and communities to get involved in promoting ocean and climate protection, watershed health, and reducing plastic pollution, no matter where in the country they live.Â
Although people in inland communities may not regularly see the ocean, we are still connected to itâfrom the food we eat to the air we breathe. But our planet's life support system is under siege: overfishing, rampant pollution, warming temperatures, ocean acidification, dead zones, and dying coral reefs all threaten the future of our ocean.
Our actions can still make a world of difference, even from inland. Your donation makes possible the following:Â
The ocean is our planet's life support system. With its health in crisis, ocean protection can no longer be seen as a coastal issue. The mission of the Inland Ocean Coalition is to create an inland movement that builds land-to-sea stewardship through our vision of encouraging individuals and communities to take an active role in improving the impacts and relationships between the inland, the coasts, and the ocean. By engaging individuals and communities that want to be part of the solution, we build chapters, lead campaigns, and deliver programs that have a direct positive impact on our watersheds, coasts, and ocean.
Many inland communities care deeply about our ocean but do not know how to get involved. Our unique niche allows us to work with our chapters and supporters around the country to convey that we all have a stake in ocean protection. In essence, we build community-based ocean conservation constituencies throughout the country by engaging, educating, and activating inland communities to become committed and compassionate stewards of our ocean.
The Inland Ocean Coalition is a project of The Ocean Foundation (TOF), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that functions as our back office, covering taxes, liability, etc.
The IOC began as the Colorado Ocean Coalition (COCO) in 2011. The Coalition's aim was to inspire and empower Colorado citizens to promote the health of our ocean through education and community involvement. Since the formation of COCO in 2011, communities across the country have been inspired to replicate the programs that began in Colorado. In early 2017, the organization transitioned to the Inland Ocean Coalition, with chapters around the country. The Inland Ocean Coalition values inclusivity and continues to inspire a diverse array of inland people and communities to become stewards of our ocean through advocacy, events, programs, outreach, and education.
In 2016, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed between the Colorado Ocean Coalition, the U.S. Department of Commerce and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The purpose of the MOA is to "establish a broad framework for joint participation" for the goal of engaging inland communities on the importance of ocean conservation and the quality of life of the American people.
In 2013, through a formal resolution, Assembly member Mark Stones from Monterey, CA recognized the Colorado Ocean Coalition, Boulder City and Boulder County as the First Inland Ocean Community in the United States. NOAA's Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary co-sponsored the resolution.
In 2011, Susan Osborne, Mayor of the City of Boulder, Colorado, declared November 13, 2011, as Boulder's first Ocean Awareness Day. The declaration recognized that "Boulder, Colorado, has a longstanding commitment to mitigating the harmful effects of climate change, and the Colorado Ocean Coalition is dedicated to promoting ocean awareness and encouraging the citizens of Boulder, Colorado, and other landlocked regions to create their own meaningful connection to the ocean."
Organization name
The Inland Ocean Coalition
other names
IOC, Colorado Ocean Coalition
2011
Category
Environment
Organization Size
Large Organization
Address
7th StreetOther
1320 19th Street NW, 5th FloorBoulder County, CO, US
DC, US
Other
720-253-2007
Other
202-887-8996 119