Postal Service to release new stamp series celebrating 50th anniversary of America’s national marine sanctuaries 

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the National Marine Sanctuary System, the U.S. Postal Service is set to release a new series of stamps that depicts the abundant wildlife and diverse ecosystems that can be found in the waters of America’s national marine sanctuaries and marine national monuments.

Photos of a balloon fish and elkhorn coral, both taken in the Keys, are just a few examples of the marine life and marine ecosystems that are featured in the 16 new National Marine Sanctuaries Forever® stamps. A map of the National Marine Sanctuary System is printed on the back of the pane

The stamps include photographs taken by members of the public and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration employees.

NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries serves as the trustee for a network of ocean  parks encompassing more than 620,000 square miles of marine and Great Lakes waters, an area nearly the size of Alaska. The network includes a system of 15 national marine sanctuaries and two marine national monuments, including Florida Keys National Marine Sanctaury, that conserve areas with special ecological, cultural and historical significance. The National Marine Sanctuary System turns 50 on October 23, 2022.

The National Marine Sanctuaries Forever® stamp series is a first for NOAA and will be released on Friday, Aug. 5. The stamps come in a sheet of 16 for $9.60 and preorders can be made online at usps.com/stamps.

As these stamps show up in mailboxes across America, we hope they’ll inspire more people to celebrate, discover, explore, and enjoy the unique wonders of the National Marine Sanctuary System.

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