Number 26
Source: Ocean Conservancy
Ocean Conservancy Launches "Protect Where We Play" with Star Athletes
Featured Focus: Athlete-Driven Impact, Partnerships for Good, Climate Change + Environment
Scope of Impact: Global
Ocean Conservancy has launched "Protect Where We Play," a multi-year initiative rallying sports and entertainment fans to protect the ocean. The program leverages the influence of athletes and artists to mobilize millions globally in support of ocean conservation. Here’s the play-by-play:
All-Star Lineup: Top athletes, including WNBA's Napheesa Collier, NFL's Kelvin Beachum, MLB's Brent Suter, and Paralympian Ezra Frech are leading the charge, emphasizing the importance of a healthy ocean for the planet and to ensure future generations can enjoy the games they love .
Strategic Partnerships: Collaborations with organizations like Oak View Group's GOAL program, Green Sports Alliance, and EcoAthletes amplify the initiative's reach and impact by funding sustainability efforts.
Fan Engagement: The initiative encourages everyone to join "Team Ocean" by visiting protectwhereweplay.com and using #ProtectWhereWePlay on social media. Upcoming events like the EcoAthlete Collegiate Cup will provide opportunities for direct involvement.
The overall intent of this initiative jumped-out to us from the start. There’s a genuine connection between the project and the high-profile athletes dubbed as the “Team Ocean Captains.” These athletes aren’t simply lending their name and likeness to this project—each and every one of them already have credibility in the environmental protection space.
With the goal to reach Gen Z and Gen Alpha, this connection matters immensely, as younger would-be-supporters can pick-up a lack of authenticity and alignment from miles away. By tapping into star players’ existing fan bases, “Project Where We Play” does a great job of connecting the dots between the current climate emergency and the power of sports to create positive change, sparking new opportunities for visibility, conversation, and meaningful action.
YOUR NEXT PLAY:
The Ocean Conservancy was very purposeful in their approach: meeting their target audiences (Gen Z and Gen Alpha) where they are (embedded in sports culture) in order to get their critical message across.
This is where it all starts—with your audiences. If you know what they care about, what makes them tick, and how to reach them, the rest of the pieces will ultimately fall into place to create the important social impact you’re after.
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Information on the government agency’s 50 years of ocean and coastal conservation efforts.
How teams, leagues, and national athletic organizations can commit to climate action.
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