The Sanctuary Ocean Count, the signature outreach project for NOAA’s Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, was named the Take Pride in America Outstanding Federal Volunteer Program during a ceremony in Washington, D.C.last week. Take Pride in America®, is a nationwide partnership program authorized by Congress to promote the appreciation and stewardship of our nation’s public lands. The annual Sanctuary Ocean Count, launched in 1996 when 150 volunteers took to the shorelines of O‘ahu to count Hawaii’s endangered whale population and document the animals’ surface behavior, now draws more than 2,300 volunteers across…
