The Jean-Michel Cousteau Dispatch
June 2011 Issue
Happy World Oceans Day! May this be the day we pause for a moment, take a few extra deep breaths and appreciate all that the ocean provides us on a daily basis no matter where we live on this water planet. From the life-sustaining oxygen necessary for almost all life to exist (70% of it produced by tiny plant plankton), to our favorite sustainably harvested seafood dish, to the long beach walks on our annual summer vacation or the excitement of planning a trip to our favorite tropical destination, the ocean holds a special place in our hearts. We need to appreciate the gifts from the sea on this special celebration, today and everyday. The oceans are at risk, which ultimately means we are at risk too. So I ask you on this day to think of a special, creative way to give back to the oceans, and share your ethic of ocean protection with your loved ones by explaining the importance of this day. Part of the campaign message shared around the world for today’s World Oceans Day is to "Wear Blue, Tell Two." We are calling for people to wear blue on June 8th to raise awareness for ocean conservation and also to share two facts with others about how and why we should protect our world oceans.
June is also the month we celebrate another important day, Father’s Day, a day of celebration for not only families, but also for community, tradition, and compassion for our parental care for our water planet. OFS is offering a unique gift for your special loved one. We’ve partnered with a local company in Santa Barbara, CA to create a tasty and memorable gift, a delicious treat along with an autographed copy of my biography, My Father, The Captain: My Life with Jacques Cousteau. Click here to learn more and order your gift.
This is also the time of year many of you are making your special family vacation plans for the summer. If you are looking for something new, come join my team and myself for an annual adventure at the Jean-Michel Cousteau Family Camp on Catalina Island. This is the perfect place for families to enjoy being together in a beautiful setting and participate in a wide variety of activities both in the ocean and on the island. It will be our 14th year co-hosting this exciting 5-day adventure; please join us for an experience you and your family will never forget! Dr. Richard Murphy, Ocean Futures Society’s Director of Science and Education, is also co-hosting a teacher’s and college student workshop in the beautiful, tropical location of Fiji. This 8-day interdisciplinary program will be the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the beautiful outdoors and enjoy experiential learning alongside specialists in the fields of marine and terrestrial ecology, sustainable living, and more. Click here to learn more. This past week, my team and I have received two prestigious awards for our dedicated work in ocean conservation: an Environmental Hero award from Santa Barbara’s Environmental Defense Center and a gold medal for our new book, Explore the Southeast National Marine Sanctuaries with Jean-Michel Cousteau at the 2011 Benjamin Franklin Awards. Not only do both of these honors attest to the determination and hard work of the OFS staff and team, they also reflect your dedication and continued support of OFS. This is a critical time for the ocean, and it is a critical time for OFS. We all need to work harder than ever to spread the mission of OFS and engage everyone we know in an ocean ethic that celebrates our ocean heritage. With this heightened awareness of the important fact that the ocean sustains all life on this planet, we realize the need to tread lighter as we use the raw materials our water planet provides us on a daily basis. Every action counts; we are all touched by the ocean in some unique and special way. On this annual celebration of World Oceans Day, may I share a quote with you from my late father, Jacques Y. Cousteau, who's 101st birthday is on June 11th: “The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” May we all be in the ‘net of wonder’ together and join forces to communicate and spread our love and appreciation for our water planet.
Warm Regards, 
Jean-Michel Cousteau, President
| Support Ocean Futures
Karla, please support the field work, projects and mission of Jean-Michel Cousteau and the Ocean Futures team. Make a tax-deductible donation now!
Father's Day GiftsThis year send your loved ones a meaningful...and thoughtful gift! Surprise them with a donation made in their honor, an autographed copy of My Father, The Captain and a candie gift tin. Homemade by SP Candie Co. in Santa Barbara, CA. Your special someone will be thrilled with such a thoughtful gift. 
Karla, Make a Difference this Oceans Day
Save time! Save trees! Save the planet! Did you know that you can stop your junk mail, help the environment AND raise money for Ocean Futures? When you sign up for the 41pounds.org service, they’ll stop your junk mail and donate $15 to our organization.
Jean-Michel Cousteau Family Camp
There are still a few cabins available!Bring your family on a 5-day adventure with Jean-Michel Cousteau. 
Award-Winning BookOrder your autographed copy of Explore the Southeast National Marine Sanctuaries with Jean-Michel Cousteau, winner of the Benjamin Franklin gold medal.  |
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