January has a way of inviting honesty. We take stock of the year behind us, look ahead with intention, and begin organizing the parts of life that have quietly been on the back burner. Finances. Goals. Plans for the future.
Over the past year, we’ve shared resources about creating a will during Make-A-Will Month and explored the basics of estate planning during National Estate Planning Awareness Month. If those conversations sparked reflection, January is where reflection turns into action.
Estate planning is not about dwelling on the distant future. It is about clarity, care, and making sure the things that matter most to you are protected and carried forward.
For those who love the ocean, it is also a powerful way to create lasting impact.
Why January Is the Moment to Act
Unlike busier times of year, January offers breathing room. It is when many people review financial accounts, update goals, and make thoughtful decisions about what comes next.
Estate planning fits naturally into this season because it allows you to:
- Care for loved ones according to your wishes
- Reduce unnecessary stress for family and friends
- Align your long-term plans with your values
- Gain peace of mind knowing things are in place
If you already have a will or estate plan, the new year is an ideal time to review it. If you do not, starting now can be simpler than you might expect.
Planned Giving: Turning Values Into Long-Term Impact
Planned giving is one way to include a nonprofit organization in your estate plans, often without affecting your finances during your lifetime. These gifts are flexible, revocable, and designed to reflect your priorities.
Common options include:
- A bequest in your will or trust
- Naming a nonprofit as a beneficiary of a retirement account or IRA
- Including a charity as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy
- Designating the remainder of a donor-advised fund
Each of these options allows you to support causes you care about deeply, while ensuring loved ones come first.
Including Oceanic Society in your plans helps sustain conservation work well into the future.
Ready to Explore Your Legacy Options?
If you’ve been thinking about how to align your long-term plans with the causes you care about most, we invite you to explore legacy giving options with Oceanic Society.
Planned gifts of all sizes help protect marine wildlife, reduce ocean plastic pollution, connect underserved youth to the ocean, and support conservation efforts for generations.
Why Estate Planning Is a Powerful Conservation Tool
The ocean supports all life on Earth. It regulates our climate, produces more than half the oxygen we breathe, and sustains communities around the world. At the same time, it faces growing challenges from pollution, habitat loss, and climate change.
Legacy gifts provide the long-term stability needed to address these challenges. They help:
- Protect endangered sea turtles, whales, and marine habitats;
- Reduce ocean plastic through community-led conservation;
- Connect underserved youth to life-changing ocean experiences;
- Sustain science, education, and restoration programs for decades,
Planned giving is not about the size of an estate. It is about the durability of your impact.
A Legacy in Action
Nancy Wotkyns was a devoted Oceanic Society traveler and lifelong ocean advocate. Before she passed, she chose to include Oceanic Society in her will and named the organization as a beneficiary of her life insurance policy.
Nancy Wotkyns poses with hatchling sea turtles during an Oceanic Society trip in Suriname.
Today, her generosity continues to support sea turtle conservation programs around the world. Her gift helps protect nesting beaches, advance research, and inspire thousands of people each year to care for the ocean.
Nancy’s story is a reminder that legacy giving is not about wealth. It is about intention, and about choosing to let your values live on.
Three Meaningful Steps to Take This Year
Getting started does not require major decisions. Small, thoughtful steps can make a real difference.
- Review What You Already Have
If you have a will or beneficiary designations, take time to review them and ensure they still reflect your wishes. - Reflect on Your Values
Consider the people, places, and causes that have shaped your life, and how you want to support them long-term. - Take One Simple Action
That might be updating a beneficiary designation, speaking with an advisor, or learning more about legacy giving options.
Get Our Free Estate Planning Checklist
Get started on your estate plan with our free checklist. This simple worksheet will help you think through the next steps in making your estate plan.
The Oceanic Legacy Society
When you include Oceanic Society in your estate plans and let us know, you become part of the Oceanic Legacy Society. This community of supporters is committed to protecting the ocean for generations to come.
Members may choose public recognition or remain anonymous, but all share a belief that conservation is one of the most meaningful legacies a person can leave.
Frequently Asked Questions About Estate Planning & Legacy Giving
Do I need a large estate to include a charity in my will?
No. Many legacy gifts are made as a percentage of an estate or as a residual gift after loved ones are cared for. Even modest planned gifts can have a lasting impact on ocean conservation.
Can I change my planned gift in the future?
Yes. Most planned gifts, including bequests and beneficiary designations, are fully revocable and can be updated at any time.
Does including a nonprofit in my estate plan affect my finances today?
In most cases, no. Planned gifts typically do not require any immediate financial contribution and may offer tax benefits to your heirs.
Related Reading
If you would like additional context, these resources offer helpful background:
- Estate Planning Starter Checklist: A beginner’s guide to estate planning
- Estate Planning Myth vs. Reality: Common misconceptions about estate planning
- Make-A-Will Month: Leave a Legacy for the Ocean: An introduction to why creating a will is an empowering step for loved ones and for ocean conservation.
- National Estate Planning Awareness Month: Planning for the People and Places You Love: A deeper look at estate planning basics and how legacy giving can reflect your values.
Together, these resources create a path from awareness to action.
Start the Year With a Legacy That Lasts
Estate planning is deeply personal, but it does not have to be overwhelming. As the new year begins, you have an opportunity to move beyond intention and take a meaningful step toward protecting the ocean you love.
Your values. Your legacy. A healthier ocean.
To learn more about planned giving or to share your plans, please contact donations@oceanicsociety.org. We would be honored to welcome you into the Oceanic Legacy Society.
