25 Years of Protecting Our Living Oceans

September 30, 2025

Written by Alexandra Dempsey

This year, the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation (KSLOF) proudly celebrates 25 years of advancing ocean science and conservation. Since our founding in 2000 by His Royal Highness Prince Khaled bin Sultan, we have been dedicated to one mission: providing science-based solutions to protect and restore ocean health.

Over the past quarter century, KSLOF has led groundbreaking scientific research, most notably the Global Reef Expedition, the largest coral reef survey and mapping mission in history. Working alongside scientists, governments, and communities, we conducted thousands of dives, mapped over 65,000 square kilometers of reef habitat, and shared this knowledge to help create marine protected areas around the world.

Our impact extends well beyond science. Through our Graduate Fellowship Program, we have trained the next generation of marine scientists, many of whom now lead research and conservation initiatives across the globe. We have also inspired millions through our Emmy® award-winning documentaries, which bring the beauty and fragility of coral reefs into homes worldwide and motivate audiences to take action for the ocean.

Education has always been at the heart of what we do. Our award-winning Coral Reef Ecology Curriculum has reached students and teachers in over 100 countries, turning classrooms into gateways to the ocean. Meanwhile, our hands-on Mangrove Education and Restoration programs in Jamaica and The Bahamas have empowered students to learn about these vital coastal ecosystems while planting and restoring mangrove forests in their own communities.

As we celebrate this milestone, we also look ahead. Our vision is clear: healthy, resilient oceans for generations to come. With your support, KSLOF will continue to explore, educate, and inspire to continue our legacy to meet the pressing challenges facing coral reefs, mangroves, seagrasses, and the communities that depend on them.

Thank you for being part of our journey. Together, we can ensure the oceans remain a source of life, wonder, and hope for the next 25 years and beyond.

From Mangrove Mud to Meaningful Work: Desta’s J.A.M.I.N. Journey

Some students I remember for their grades, their quick answers, or a moment that made the whole class laugh. Others I remember for the way they stepped into the mangroves.

Desta was the kind of student who thrived outdoors. While some students hesitated at the edge of the mud, he walked right in. And when he inevitably got stuck — because everyone does — he didn’t get frustrated. He laughed. Covered in mud, holding mangrove propagules in his hands, he embraced the experience fully.

Even then, it was clear that he was connecting with the environment in a way that went beyond the lesson plan…

From Students to Stewards: A Full-Circle Moment for J.A.M.I.N.

There are certain faces you never forget.

Over the years, hundreds of students have stepped into mangrove forests with us through the Jamaica Awareness of Mangroves in Nature (J.A.M.I.N.) program. I may not always remember every name, but I remember the expressions — the hesitation before stepping into thick mud, the laughter when someone loses a shoe, the look of surprise when they catch that unmistakable sulfur smell rising from the mangrove soil…

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From Mangrove Mud to Meaningful Work: Desta’s J.A.M.I.N. Journey

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