About NMEA

National Marine Educators Association (NMEA) is a dedicated, influential member-based organization of classroom teachers, informal educators, university professors, scientists, and more from around the world working together to advance the understanding and protection of our freshwater and marine ecosystems. From scientists working in the deep sea to students studying underwater archeology in the Great Lakes, NMEA members are dedicated to making known the world of water, both fresh and salt.

NMEA is a national organization powered by individual, regional chapters who provide the on-the-ground efforts that support and promote national initiatives in education and conservation such as ocean literacy.

NMEA has a rich history that spans over 45 years and hosts inspiring annual conferences in different locations across North America. NMEA has also recently inspired the creation of the European Marine Science Educators Association (EMSEA) and the Asia Marine Educators Association (AMEA), and collaborates regularly with similar associations based in Australia (MESA) and beyond.

NMEA has developed a Code of Conduct, which outlines core principles that encourage constructive discourse, respectful interactions, and the creation of a positive environment where our members and friends can promote and support ocean literacy and making known the world of water, both fresh and salt.

Mission

To make known the world of water, both fresh and salt

NMEA Focus Areas and Strategic Goals

FOCUS AREA 1: MEMBERS & PARTNERS

• Goal 1.1: Engage and Grow Membership

• Goal 1.2: Cultivate Strategic and Active Partnerships

Focus Area 2: Chapters & Committees

• Goal 2.1: Stronger Connections Between and Among NMEA, Chapters, and Committees

• Goal 2.2: Robust and Resilient Chapters/Committees

Focus Area 3: Equity, Belonging & Ocean Justice

• Goal 3.1: NMEA’s Programs, Practices, and Processes Center Equity

• Goal 3.2: NMEA’s Members and Leaders Are Diverse

• Goal 3.3: NMEA Serves as a Key Promoter for Ocean Justice

Focus Area 4: Formal/Non-formal/Informal Educators

• Goal 4.1: NMEA’s Relevance for All Educators Is Known and Leveraged

• Goal 4.2: Actively Engage More Educators in NMEA

Focus Area 5: Organizational Excellence & Sustainability

• Goal 5.1: NMEA Is Thriving and Sustainable into the Future with Robust Funding and Leadership

• Goal 5.2: NMEA Is Well-Known and Highly Respected Nationally and internationally Among Educators

• Goal 5.3: NMEA Is a Resource for Decision-Makers and Policy-Makers

• Goal 5.4: NMEA’s Organizational Structure and Operating Procedures are Clear, Efficient, and Effective

Focus Area 6: international Collaboration

• Goal 6.1: NMEA’s Organizational Structure Fosters Strong, Consistent Support for International Activities and Collaborations

• Goal 6.2: NMEA Creates Space and Opportunities for International Members to Meaningfully Collaborate

• Goal 6.3: NMEA Is Involved in International Collaborations

Our Core Values

Excellence 

• We utilize and provide access to the best available science and educational practices and resources in everything we do. 

• We demonstrate integrity and lead by example, practicing what we teach at our conferences, in our work, and in our everyday lives. 

• We continually work to strengthen NMEA as a healthy, fiscally responsible organization. 

Camaraderie 

• We cherish the camaraderie among our members, building strong, lasting professional and personal relationships among colleagues who share common goals. 

• The relationships among members nurture and support us as individuals, allow us to leverage each other as resources, and lead to important collaborations and partnerships. 

• We enjoy working together and we take NMEA’s mission seriously – we know that in order to successfully fulfill our mission and vision, we must do it together. 

• Our leadership within NMEA provides links among all members and to other professional organizations, enabling the sharing of ideas, resources, and progress, lending fulfillment to our vision. 

Action 

• We educate and inspire people to understand and value their relationship with the ocean and all watersheds, so that they can make informed choices about their behavior. 

• We value the role of educators and support them with tools, conferences, publications, and resources so that they, in turn, can promote understanding and action in their students. 

• We empower the public to take an active role in protecting the global ocean and water resources. 

Inclusiveness 

• We believe that bringing together a wide variety of communities with diverse perspectives strengthens marine and aquatic education. 

• We encourage interdisciplinary approaches to our activities and strive to incorporate many disciplines into resources we provide. 

• We welcome and include many types of educators, and we honor and utilize the contributions of all our members. 

• We are passionate about reaching and inspiring broad audiences, and will stay open to new ideas, perspectives, and input. 

Leadership 

• We inspire and encourage our members to serve as tenacious, passionate leaders, both within and outside the organization. 

• We support our members as they serve in leadership positions in universities, government agencies, and in formal and informal education institutions and businesses. 

• We drive the conversation regarding marine and aquatic education, influencing policy, practice, and funding. 

Regional Chapters

We encourage you to join your regional chapter. Use this map to identify your region, and click the contact information below.  If your state is not listed, a chapter from a neighboring state would love to have you join.

NMEA Committees

We encourage NMEA members to check out and get involved in one or more of our committees! Find out more in our Membership Portal. You can join open committees once you have logged into your membership profile.

Note: NMEA has three types of committees:

1. Open: current members can join immediately

2. Closed: members can request to join these committees

3. Operational: not open to members to join

Scholarships

Interested in attending NMEA’s annual conference but could use some financial assistance? NMEA offers NMEA member-only and non-member scholarships to help you get there!

All scholarship nominations and applications are due on February 15, and notifications will be made by mid-March, so that everyone can register by the NMEA conference registration early-bird deadline!

Learn more on our Scholarships page >

Awards

NMEA offers awards in six categories, plus honorary membership. To nominate an individual or organization for any of these awards, complete and submit the award specific nomination form and all required materials. Please review the forms and instructions carefully and prepare and assemble ALL information and documents in advance so that the application can be completed easily. 

Nominations are accepted throughout the year but must be received before February 15 to be considered for the current award year.

Full details about these awards and the nomination process can be found on our Awards page >