Focus Areas

The Walter Munk Foundation for the Oceans is focused on advancing and supporting ocean science, creating impactful earth science educational content, and advocating for ocean conservation.

Ocean Science

Inspired by Walter’s scientific adventures, WMFO contributes to worldwide expeditions to advance our ability to observe and understand the ocean.

Alpine Lake Studies at Altaussee, Austria

Walter Munk initiated this project in 2018 in cooperation with the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna. The project goals are to intensively study the lake geology and biology as a way to better understand Alpine lake habitats and Lake Altaussee in particular.

Earth Science Education

Continuing in Walter’s academic spirit, WMFO creates educational content linking students of all ages to earth and ocean science, including climate change and sea level rise.

THE MAP

THE MAP® of the Grand Canyons of La Jolla is the largest LithoMosaic in the world, depicting the bathymetry of La Jolla Canyon and over 100 marine species indigenous to our coastal waters.

Musical Journeys

In honor of Walter’s love of both Science and Music, WMFO partnered with Sound Explorations to investigate the potential for music to explore habitats and species in the ocean.

Walter Munk Day

An annual event of exhibitors, activities, and demonstrations in Kellogg Park celebrating Walter’s legacy of ocean exploration and discovery.

Preserving the legacy of Walter’s work, WMFO acts to create awareness of ocean and environmental challenges while supporting science-based ocean conservation action and policy.

Ocean Conservation

Mobula Munkiana Conservation

The Mobula munkiana species of devil ray was first described by Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara in 1987 and named after Walter Munk. The Walter Munk Foundation for the Oceans is working with a team of international scientists to protect this vulnerable species.