National Marine Educators Association

What National Marine Educators Association does

The National Marine Educators Association (NMEA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization founded in 1976 and headquartered in Ridgely, Maryland. It serves a community of more than 700 formal and informal educators, scientists, university professors, and students from over 300 organizations across 20+ countries, with the mission of advancing understanding and protection of freshwater and marine ecosystems. The organization operates a federated model through 16 regional chapters (including an Oceania chapter) and inspired the creation of affiliated associations in Europe (EMSEA) and Asia (AMEA).

NMEA's core product portfolio centers on (1) an Annual National Conference that rotates among North American cities and attracts hundreds of attendees, (2) Current: The Journal of Marine Education, a peer-reviewed publication, and (3) the Ocean Literacy Program, which provides K-12 Scope and Sequence tools, NGSS alignment resources, and a seven-principle framework. Adjacent programs include USA Blue Schools (student-led conservation grants), the NMEA Book Endorsement Program, Ocean Technology Education (OTEC) resources covering ROVs/AUVs/sensors, scholarships, an awards program with six categories, and the annual Stegner Memorial Lecture. Technology infrastructure is modest: a Squarespace-based website, a Member365 membership portal, and Whova for conference management, with no proprietary software platform or AI/ML capabilities.

The business model is diversified across five revenue streams: membership dues (subscription/recurring), conference registration fees, donations and fundraising (501(c)(3)), journal-related sponsorships, and tiered exhibitor/sponsor packages ranging from $1,000 (Striped Bass) to $10,000+ (Right Whale). Distribution relies on community-led growth, regional chapters, the annual conference, a quarterly newsletter, and active social media presence across Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Strategic partnerships with NOAA, NSTA, and NAAEE are coordinated through formal subcommittees and extend reach into broader science and environmental education networks.

Name

National Marine Educators Association

Legal name

National Marine Educators Association

Website

https://marine-ed.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

NMEA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization founded in 1976 that serves 700+ marine and freshwater educators across 300+ organizations in 20+ countries through an annual conference, a peer-reviewed journal, and Ocean Literacy educational resources.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Education Services

NAICS

All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Open Courseware & Course Modules (OCW) (EDAGAJAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

Keywords

• Marine education
• Ocean literacy
• Educator professional development
• Peer-reviewed journals
• Aquatic science curriculum

Headquarters

HQ city

Ridgely

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees providing access to scholarships, leadership opportunities, the Current journal subscription, conference registration discounts, and member-only resources. Multiple membership levels including student and emerging professional rates.
2. Annual Conference Registration: Revenue from conference registrations, exhibitor fees, sponsorships, and ticketed events such as field trips, dinners, and cruises. Conference fees vary by registration type.
3. Donations and Fundraising: NMEA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations support school initiatives, USA Blue Schools programs, scholarships, and general organizational operations.
4. Journal and Publications: Current: The Journal of Marine Education is the peer-reviewed journal of NMEA. Sponsorships for funded issues of the journal contribute to revenue.
5. Exhibitor and Sponsor Fees: Organizations can purchase exhibit tables at conferences ($100 add-on or $250 table-only) or become sponsors at various levels (Right Whale $10,000+, Grey Seal $5,000-$9,999, American Lobster $2,500-$4,999, Striped Bass $1,000-$2,499).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

National Marine Educators Association (NMEA) is a 501(c)(3) member-based nonprofit organization that provides marine and freshwater educators with educational resources, professional development conferences, a peer-reviewed journal (Current), and Ocean Literacy frameworks. It operates a national network of 16+ regional chapters serving 700+ educators from 300+ organizations across 20+ countries.

Product overview

The National Marine Educators Association (NMEA) is a membership-based nonprofit organization (501(c)(3)) that provides a portfolio of educational programs and resources for marine and freshwater educators. The organization's core offerings center around its Annual National Conference (bringing together hundreds of educators annually), Current: The Journal of Marine Education (a peer-reviewed publication), and the Ocean Literacy Program (with tools including the Ocean Literacy Guide, Scope and Sequence, and NGSS alignment). Additional offerings include USA Blue Schools (student-led conservation initiative), NMEA Regional Chapters (16+ chapters across the US and beyond), an Awards Program (six categories recognizing excellence in marine education), Scholarships for conference attendance, the Book Endorsement Program, OTEC (Ocean Technology Education) resources, and the annual Stegner Memorial Lecture. NMEA also publishes various resources, maintains a Code of Conduct, and hosts a 50th anniversary celebration in 2026.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• 700+ educators from 300+ organizations in 20+ countries served through membership and programs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• European Marine Science Educators Association (EMSEA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNMEA inspired the creation of EMSEA, extending the marine education network to Europe. The organizations collaborate on shared goals of advancing ocean literacy and marine education globally.
• Asia Marine Educators Association (AMEA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNMEA inspired the creation of AMEA, expanding the marine education network to Asia. The organizations share best practices and collaborate on international marine education initiatives.
• Marine Science Educators Association (MESA) - AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNMEA collaborates regularly with MESA based in Australia, supporting international marine education efforts and knowledge sharing across ocean regions.
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNOAA is a key strategic partner coordinated through the Strategic Partnerships Committee's NOAA Subcommittee. The partnership supports education, research, and policy initiatives related to ocean and atmospheric sciences.
• National Science Teaching Association (NSTA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNMEA partners with NSTA through the Strategic Partnerships Committee's NSTA Subcommittee to integrate ocean literacy into science education standards and provide marine education sessions at NSTA conferences.
• North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNMEA partners with NAAEE through the Strategic Partnerships Committee's NAAEE Subcommittee to broaden environmental outreach and incorporate marine education into broader environmental literacy efforts.
• The BRIDGEminorOthersThe BRIDGE (bridgeoceaneducation.org) is a resource platform for ocean education that NMEA references and collaborates with. It is listed as a resource alongside NMEA's own materials.
• Ocean ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNMEA collaborated with The Ocean Project on World Oceans Day resources and webinar series for educators, providing educational materials and promoting ocean literacy initiatives.
• The Pike Auction TraditionminorOthersA unique fundraising tradition where THE PIKE (a stuffed fish mascot) is auctioned at annual conferences, raising thousands of dollars for NMEA and teacher scholarships. The tradition has been part of NMEA since 1986.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• National Science Teaching Association (NSTA): Largest U.S. K-12 science teacher professional association. NMEA partners with NSTA through a formal subcommittee and delivers marine education sessions at NSTA conferences — overlapping broadly in serving science teachers.
• North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE): Broad environmental education professional association with a formal NMEA partnership. Overlaps significantly with NMEA on informal educators, environmental literacy, and curriculum resources in environmental/marine content.
• NOAA Office of Education: U.S. federal ocean-atmosphere agency's education arm and a key NMEA strategic partner. Operates education grant programs, teacher professional development, and ocean literacy resources that compete and complement NMEA's offerings.

Direct peers

• European Marine Science Educators Association (EMSEA): European sister organization of NMEA, created in direct inspiration from the NMEA model. Both are membership-based associations running annual conferences and developing ocean literacy content for marine educators in their respective geographies.
• Centers for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence (COSEE) Network: National network of regionally distributed centers focused on ocean science education, professional development for marine educators, and researcher-educator partnerships — a closer functional peer than generalist associations.
• Asia Marine Educators Association (AMEA): Asian regional counterpart to NMEA, similarly inspired by NMEA's model. Provides marine education resources, conferences, and a member community for marine educators across Asia, comparable in mission and structure.

Regional players

• Marine Science Educators Association (MSEA), Australia: Australian marine science education association that collaborates regularly with NMEA. Comparable in being a member-based association of marine educators delivering conferences and resources, but primarily serves Australian audiences.

Emerging players

• Aquarium Conservation Partnership (ACP): Coalition of U.S. aquariums advancing conservation and ocean education messaging. Comparable in serving informal marine educators at aquariums, an NMEA member segment, but ACP is consortium-led rather than a broad individual-membership association.
• The Ocean Project: Ocean education and communications organization that has collaborated with NMEA on World Oceans Day resources. Comparable in promoting ocean literacy and supporting educators, but operates more as a campaign/coordinator than member association.

Others

• The Ocean Foundation: U.S.-based ocean conservation foundation that funds and runs education/outreach programming. Indirectly comparable as an ocean-education funder and partner ecosystem participant, though not a member-association competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/NatlMarineEd
• Instagraminstagram.com/floridamarinescience
• Xx.com/NatlMarineEd
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/natlmarineed

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about National Marine Educators Association