NATURAL RESOURCES AND CLEAN WATER ARE THE KEYSTONES OF A COASTAL ECONOMY, CULTURE, AND ECOLOGY. THE HEALTH AND ACCESSIBILITY OF OUR COAST IMPACTS THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF ALL WHO LIVE ON OR VISIT THE COAST.
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Through relentless advocacy in the courts, the state houses, the press, and at town meetings, we pursue decisions and laws that will protect and restore vulnerable coastal wetlands, estuaries, rivers, and bays. We advocate for sustainable, ecosystem-based management; keep our fingers on the pulse of evolving science to ensure that existing coastal management practices remain relevant; and ensure that the laws are actually enforced. |
Issues
Coastal habitats provide many valuable services and benefits to society: food and shelter for fish and wildlife, protection of the quality of our ocean waters, buffers from storms, recreation, and natural beauty. Years of development along the coast and inland has degraded many coastal habitats. Non-native invasive plants have altered native plant communities; roads, buildings, and utilities have been built through and on top of valuable habitats; and pollution finds its way into our rivers, bays, and ocean.
Our Position
Fixing past mistakes through restoration starts degraded coastal habitats on a path to recovery, moving them towards a future as healthy, functioning ecosystems that benefit both wildlife and people. The Society collaborates with community volunteers, landowners, government agencies, private businesses, and other non-profit organizations to restore habitats that are important to the coast, such as tidal wetlands, oyster reefs, dunes, and migratory fish corridors. We constantly seek the best solutions, whether they are time-tested methods or cutting-edge techniques.
Involving people from the local commuity in our restoration projects is a high priority. In this way, we not only restore habitat for fish, wildlife, and human enjoyment but also inform and engage communities to advocate for restoration of additional sites and protect their environment from potential impacts.
Involving people from the local commuity in our restoration projects is a high priority. In this way, we not only restore habitat for fish, wildlife, and human enjoyment but also inform and engage communities to advocate for restoration of additional sites and protect their environment from potential impacts.
What you can Do
Volunteer on a Project
Volunteering in a habitat restoration program is a great way to get your family, civic group, school, or organization involved in coastal stewardship. By volunteering in one of our projects, you will learn about coastal ecosystems, how they are affected by human activities, and what you can do to help. Most important, you will be physically contributing to the stewardshipof your environment.
Champion a Site
If there is a degraded natural habitat in your community, we'd like to hear about it - especially if it is a site that you or your group would like to work on. We maintain an inventory of sites that need to be restored. This helps us prioritize our work, find funding, and match people and organizations to projects.
Donate
Our restoration program is funded by public and private grants as well as donations. Direct donations of cash and in-kind time, services, equipment, and materials are critical to the growth of this effort and may support activities such as pre-project planning and follow-up monitoring not covered by our grants.
Volunteering in a habitat restoration program is a great way to get your family, civic group, school, or organization involved in coastal stewardship. By volunteering in one of our projects, you will learn about coastal ecosystems, how they are affected by human activities, and what you can do to help. Most important, you will be physically contributing to the stewardshipof your environment.
Champion a Site
If there is a degraded natural habitat in your community, we'd like to hear about it - especially if it is a site that you or your group would like to work on. We maintain an inventory of sites that need to be restored. This helps us prioritize our work, find funding, and match people and organizations to projects.
Donate
Our restoration program is funded by public and private grants as well as donations. Direct donations of cash and in-kind time, services, equipment, and materials are critical to the growth of this effort and may support activities such as pre-project planning and follow-up monitoring not covered by our grants.
