U.S. Navy Stewards of the Sea

08/27/2026

While the weather had other plans for the Tides’ doubleheader games, the Stewards of the Sea (SOTS) team was thrilled to connect with Sailors, Navy families, and baseball fans on Saturday during Navy Night at Harbor Park Stadium, home of the Norfolk Tides. 🌧️

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our exhibit to chat about how the Navy supports marine species research, keeps plastics out of the ocean, and implements protective measures during training and testing. We are already looking forward to Navy Night at Harbor Park next year! ⚾️

Catch SOTS and Stewie at our next events:

- September 18, 2026: NAS Oceana STEM Day (Virginia Beach, VA) 🔬
- September 19-20, 2026: NAS Oceana Air Show (Virginia Beach, VA) 🛩️

08/13/2026

Stewards of the Sea (SOTS) had a fantastic time celebrating National Lighthouse Day at Joint Expeditionary Base Fort Story (JEBFS) on August 7, 2026 in Virginia Beach, VA.

Visitors had the rare opportunity to climb both the original stone Cape Henry Lighthouse built in 1792 and the iron Cape Henry Lighthouse built in 1881. The 1792 lighthouse is managed by Preservation Virginia, a nonprofit organization, and is open to the public on a seasonal schedule. The 1881 lighthouse is operated by the U.S. Coast Guard as a navigational aid and is typically only open to the public once per year for National Lighthouse Day.

The SOTS team was on-site all day and enjoyed great conversations with visitors about:
🐳 U.S. Navy-supported marine species research.
🛡️ Protective measures the Navy implements during training and testing.
🌊 How we keep plastics and hazardous materials out of the ocean.
🌎 Other ways we follow environmental laws and protect the environment.

🐢 Catch SOTS and Stewie at our next events:
• August 22, 2026: Navy Night at the Tides Baseball Stadium (Norfolk, VA)
• September 18, 2026: NAS Oceana STEM Day (Virginia Beach, VA)
• September 19-20, 2026: NAS Oceana Air Show (Virginia Beach, VA)

08/05/2026

Protecting Marine Life in the Gulf of Maine

With funding from the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Monitoring Program, biologists from Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport are using advanced side-scan sonar and acoustic telemetry tracking systems to collect vital data on adult shortnose and Atlantic sturgeon.

This critical research is helping to fill key data gaps regarding sturgeon population estimates in the Kennebec and Penobscot rivers. By working alongside the State of Maine Department of Marine Resources and the University of Maine, this collaborative effort supports healthier marine ecosystems while ensuring the Navy remains a proactive steward of our natural resources.

Why This Matters

This project represents Navy investment in range-complex monitoring within the Gulf of Maine. By directly responding to needs identified by NOAA Fisheries, the Navy is delivering valuable, high-resolution data to the broader scientific community to safeguard these species for generations to come.

07/25/2026

07/24/2026

Inspiring the Next Generation of Stewards at Naval Station Norfolk! Recently Navy Environmental, the DoW Chesapeake Bay Program, and the NSN Child Youth Program teamed up for a coastal cleanup event at Naval Station Norfolk (NSN).

25 volunteers rolled up their sleeves to clear debris from the shorelines near Salt Marsh Park and the drainage areas near NSN Pier 14. Over 200 pounds of trash and debris were successfully removed from the waterfront!

Left unchecked, this debris can wash directly into the Chesapeake Bay, posing a threat to marine life. Thanks to our dedicated volunteers, these materials were removed from the ecosystem. By protecting our shorelines today, we ensure healthy oceans for tomorrow.

Bravo Zulu to everyone who came out to make a difference!

07/17/2026

The U.S. Navy's Stewards of the Sea participated in the Hawai'i Conservation Conference on the week of July 13, 2026 in Honolulu, HI. The conference focuses on fostering relationships to build a community for environmental conservation.

The Stewards of the Sea representatives worked to engage with Native Hawaiian small businesses, non-profits, locals, researchers, and other conservation minded individuals to promote collaboration and connection on shared concern for environmental conservation. Additionally, the Stewards of the Sea explained the delicate balance between the Navy's use of the resource and its need to conserve the resource, where possible.

The Stewards of the Sea interacted with around 200 conference attendees. Topics addressed included: marine and terrestrial species conservation, cultural resource protection, and plastic waste concern and management. Reaching out to connect and work with the environmental community is a first step in working at building a trusting relationship across partners and stakeholders to ensure Hawaii’s resources are conserved for future generations.

07/14/2026

The Navy's Stewards of the Sea (SOTS) environmental outreach team, and Stewie, had another great day at Sail 250 in Boston, talking with more than 1,200 visitors on board the USS Arlington. This wraps up our participation in terrific events over the past two weeks in New York City and Boston.

07/13/2026

The Navy's Stewards of the Sea (SOTS) environmental outreach team, along with Stewie, talked with more than 800 visitors aboard USS Arlington today at Sail 250 Boston. We'll be aboard the Arlington again tomorrow, and we hope you come to see us!

07/12/2026

The Navy's Stewards of the Sea (SOTS) environmental outreach team had a great day at the USS Constitution today at Sail 250 Boston, engaging with more than 700 visitors. Hope to see you aboard the USS Arlington tomorrow (Sunday) and Monday!

07/10/2026

The Navy's Stewards of the Sea (SOTS) environmental outreach team, along with Stewie, the Navy's environmental mascot, exhibited at the historic USS Constitution today in Boston during Sail 250. We'll be here again tomorrow, then spend two days aboard USS Arlington …hope to see you there. Did you know that the Navy offers numerous civilian career opportunities in a variety of environmental fields? Some Navy career fields involve general environmental research, while others involve specializing in marine mammals, sea turtles, fish, invertebrates or marine ecosystems.