For Immediate Release
November 16, 2010
Contact: Samantha Marcum, Regional Coastal Program Coordinator (831) 427-4753
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Celebrates 25 Years of the Coastal Program
The U.S. Fish Wildlife Service’s Coastal Program is celebrating its 25th year of conserving coastal wetlands and habitats for fish and wildlife across the country. This remarkable program received the Restoration Partnership Award at the Restore America’s Estuaries Conference, which recognizes an individual or group who has demonstrated their dedication, commitment and passion for estuary habitat restoration.
“The Coastal Program is a shining example of how people from all different sectors can work together to accomplish remarkable conservation achievements,” said Acting Fish and Wildlife Service Director Rowan Gould. “This voluntary, cooperative program has conserved some of our nation’s most imperiled estuaries, wetlands and coastal habitats for current and future generations to enjoy.”
The Coastal Program has four locations in the Service's Pacific Southwest Region: San Diego Bay, Central California Coast, San Francisco Bay, and Humboldt Bay. We provide technical and financial assistance through partnerships to conserve and protect rare habitats and species along the coast of California. Nationwide there are 23 Coastal Program offices throughout the United States including the Great Lakes and the U.S. Commonwealths and Territories, dedicated to protecting, restoring and conserving coastal areas. The Coastal Program has proven that a voluntary approach to coastal habitat conservation works.
By providing technical assistance, funding and other resources to partners including federal, state and local agencies, and private landowners, the program has restored 251,000 acres of coastal wetlands and coastal upland habitat, permanently protected nearly 2 million acres of coastal habitat, and restored 1,700 miles of riparian riparian
Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.
Learn more about riparian and in-stream habitat. These coastal wetlands provide for improved water quality, increased water storage and supply, reduced flood and storm surge risk, and vital habitat for plants, fish and wildlife.
Despite the numerous gains made in conserving coastal habitat by the Coastal Program and other similar voluntary, incentive-based programs, threats to coastal ecosystems have become even more challenging. Climate change poses numerous and complex threats to coastal wetlands and the fish and wildlife they support throughout the United States, including sea level rise, more invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.
Learn more about invasive species , and increases in ocean temperatures and acidity. In addition, scientists predict increased flooding of populated coastal areas and further decreases in water quality, changes that will severely impact not only fish and wildlife species, but humans as well. Given the magnitude of these threats, there is now more than ever a strong need for public-private partnerships to protect and restore coastal wetland habitats.
To learn more about the Service’s Coastal Program and to find an office near you, please visit: http://www.fws.gov/coastal/contactUs.html.
Please visit the Service’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/usfws to join the discussion on the Coastal Program’s 25th anniversary. In addition, we have posted a video on our U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/usfws and have numerous photos of coastal areas available on our Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwshq.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov
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