Articles from Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary Foundation

Savannah, GA, March 03, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Saturday, February 28, downtown Savannah celebrated the grand reopening of the Gray’s Reef Ocean Discovery Center.  Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary, part of NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, the Gray’s Reef Chapter of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, and the Savannah Downtown Business Association kicked off the celebration with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 340 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. After the ribbon cutting, guests and members of the public were invited to stay and enjoy a family-friendly sustainability block party including local vendors, food and drink, entertainment, and hands-on activities. Attendees walked through the newly reimagined Ocean Discovery Center and experienced a variety of informational and interactive exhibits focused on the unique ecosystems of Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary.

Savannah, GA, Oct. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, NOAA Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary and the Gray’s Reef Chapter of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, celebrated the 50th anniversary for national marine sanctuaries with a “Save Spectacular Celebration”. This double celebration included the ribbon cutting and dedication of the new Gray’s Reef Ocean Discovery Center, followed by tours of the facility and a soiree for Chapter members and honored guests. The remote, ocean habitats of Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary, which is located 19 miles east of Sapelo Island off Georgia’s coast, is teeming with marine life including more than 200 fish species and is part of the endangered North Atlantic right whale’s calving ground as well as a refuge for loggerhead turtles. The Gray's Reef Ocean Discovery Center is located at 340 Martin Luther King Jr, Blvd in Savannah and is anticipated to open to the public in early 2023. It will offer free programs, activities, and opportunities for residents and visitors to discover Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary.