Conserving coastal habitats one partner at a time

The Coastal Program and the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program are two programs within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that support coastal habitat conservation. The Coastal Program is a voluntary stewardship program dedicated to building partnerships and helping coastal communities protect and restore coastal habitat. The Coastal Program staff in 21 locations works closely with partners to improve the health of watersheds by assessment and mapping habitat resources, restoring degraded habitat, and providing technical assistance for coastal conservation. Partners include Federal and State agencies, local and tribal governments, businesses, industry, organizations, and individuals. Program accomplishments include restoring tidal flows to marshes and estuaries for migratory waterfowl and shorebirds, re-planting submerged seagrass beds to improve fin fish and shell fish habitat, identifying and working collaboratively to protect seabird nesting inlands, improving fish passage, and replanting coastal forests and dune systems. The National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program provides financial support for States interested in conserving their coastal wetlands resources. The grants are used to acquire, restore or enhance coastal wetlands for the benefit of wildlife and habitat.