Charting a Course for Our Ocean’s Future
Dive into an inspiring journey at Capitol Hill Ocean Week (CHOW) 2024 in Washington, D.C., June 5-6, 2024.
Convened by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, CHOW unites scientists, policymakers, scholars, businesses, and conservation leaders to address pressing issues facing our oceans and Great Lakes. This event is a dynamic platform for decisive action on critical areas: tackling the climate crisis, advancing sustainable fisheries, nurturing sustainable blue economies, promoting marine protected areas, enhancing maritime security, and combating marine pollution.
Why the Smithsonian?
We’re action-takers. Through our “Life on a Sustainable Planet” initiative, we’re engaged in transformative projects like reviving coral reefs and sending air pollution monitors to space. We need leadership in developing trusted, evidence-based biodiversity standards to ensure nature-positive actions are real. The CHOW Conference helps us find innovative partners to bring these solutions to life.
Join us to explore possibilities and make waves toward a healthier, more sustainable ocean.
Wavemaking. Gamechanging. Leadership.
The vision, ambition, and innovation of leaders power the movement to protect our ocean and our blue planet. To tackle these challenges, we must connect leaders everywhere to drive change, break down barriers, embrace responsibility and service, and build diverse alliances and communities.
At the heart of this work are people. Ocean protection strategies rely on coastal communities, traditional and new. Leaders in local communities, most impacted by climate change, pollution, and species loss, are key to turning policy into action.
Join Us!
CHOW 2024 calls upon leaders from all walks of life to drive innovation and protect our ocean. We’ll continue to explore how communities adapt to climate change, protect species, and sustain their ocean relationships for a brighter, equitable future.
Registration is free. Explore the agenda. Attend in-person or virtually.
And follow along with us on @EarthOptimism.
Dive into the Smithsonian's underwater adventures!
Visit In The Ocean to discover how we’re unlocking the ocean’s secrets, preserving biodiversity, protecting carbon-storing ecosystems, and much more.
Explore the Smithsonian’s Ocean Week public activities.
Read more about the National Ocean Biodiversity Strategy, written by a team led by the Smithsonian and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The strategy calls for a stronger, more unified and inclusive approach to ocean conservation. The full text is available on the Office of Science and Technology Policy website.
Our Participation at CHOW
Living Laboratories: Ocean Economy Conservation and Acceleration
June 6, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Featuring: Ellen Stofan, Under Secretary for Science and Research
Side Events
3rd National Workshop on Marine eDNA
June 3-5
Join us for the formal kickoff of the National eDNA Strategy! This workshop will discuss the strategy’s goals, scientific updates, and plans for diverse eDNA applications.
Event Schedule:
Day 1 & 2:
Location: Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory
Activities: Scientific updates and small-group discussions on implementation strategies with over 160 attendees from government, academia, industry, and philanthropic organizations.
Day 3:
Location: National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution
Activities:
- Plenary talk by Enric Sala (National Geographic Pristine Seas)
- Stakeholder panel discussion featuring Ellen Stofan, Under Secretary for Science and Research
- An invite-only session for organizational decision-makers to identify inter-agency implementation priorities.
Don’t miss this opportunity to shape the future of eDNA research and application!