Celebrating 25 Years of MCAF

MCAF Fellow Andres Lopez diving with a giant manta ray in Costa Rica. Credit: David Garcia, Misión Tiburón Costa Rica

The New England Aquarium’s Marine Conservation Action Fund (MCAF) is a small grants and fellowship program that provides multi-faceted support to local leaders spearheading community-based ocean conservation in low- and middle-income countries around the globe.

This year, MCAF is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Since 1999, MCAF has supported over 230 projects in 60 countries across six continents through its grant program and has inducted 17 accomplished and visionary leaders into its fellowship program. Through these initiatives, MCAF works with conservation leaders to promote solutions that benefit ocean health and support their local communities.

This work would not be possible without the help of longtime supporters Alan and Lisa Dynner, whose gifts have been transformational for the program. Mr. Dynner served from 2005 to 2011 on the Aquarium’s Board of Trustees (ex-officio), as chair of the Board of Overseers, and as a member of the Ambassador Council since 2003. He has also served on the MCAF Advisory Committee since the program’s launch. Mrs. Dynner joined the Aquarium’s Board of Trustees in 2023.