The Coastal States Organization represents the nation’s Coastal States, Territories, and Commonwealths on ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resource issues.

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The 50th meeting of the US Coral Reef Task Force took place this week at the Department of the Interior.

A new study co-led by the Center for Coastal Climate Resilience (CCCR) at UC Santa Cruz shows coral reef restoration in Florida and Puerto Rico could save thousands of lives and prevent hundreds of millions of dollars in damage and economic interruption each year. Children, elderly, minorities, and those living below the poverty line would benefit the most from restoration.

Researchers at UC Santa Cruz and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) developed a modeling system to quantify the value coral reef restoration could provide to over 600 miles of coastlines in Florida and Puerto Rico. The research compared how much flooding storms would cause with and without coral reef restoration at a resolution of 10 square meters, or 108 square feet. Researchers then determined how many people and how much property and economic activity reef restoration could protect by preventing coastal flooding.

“Our modeling is a major advance in characterizing the effectiveness of nature-based infrastructure for coastal protection. The approach can also be applied to other ecosystems, such as beaches, marshes, oyster reefs, and mangrove forests,” said CCCR principal investigator Borja Reguero.

Coral reefs act as a natural barrier to coastal storms. Reefs can absorb and weaken damaging waves. As a result, waves that hit shores are smaller and cause less flooding and erosion, saving lives and money. Restoring degraded or destroyed coral reefs could protect nearly 3,000 people each year in Florida and Puerto Rico alone. Reefs would also prevent more than $391 million worth of damage to property and lost economic activity annually.

Read more here.

From job creation and housing to national defense and recreation, healthy estuaries are foundational to economic vitality and community resilience. Estuaries drive economic growth by supporting major industries, protecting infrastructure, and enhancing quality of life. In 2022 alone, coastal counties accounted for 53 million jobs—37% of total U.S. employment. Coastal counties also account for 34% of the entire US GDP, or $7.01 trillion, driven by bustling ports, thriving waterfront communities, and a high concentration of infrastructure development, while making up only 4% of the landmass in the United States.

These coastal ecosystems are not only natural treasures, but also vital economic engines. Restoration projects create high-quality jobs in science, engineering, and construction. They support local businesses, improve property values, and reduce costly damage from storms and sea-level rise. The return on investment is clear: every dollar spent on restoration generates multiple dollars in economic activity. Coastal restoration is a smart, forward-looking investment in our economy, our communities, and our future.

Read the report here.

Four marinas along Georgia’s coast have been newly certified under the Georgia Clean Marina Program, recognizing their commitment to protecting coastal waters and implementing environmentally responsible business practices. Savannah Yacht Club, Belle Bluff Island Marina of Townsend, Safe Harbor Bahia Bleu of Thunderbolt, and Hinckley Yacht Services of Thunderbolt each recently received certification for their adoption of Clean Marina Best Management Practices (BMPs), which aim to reduce or eliminate waterway pollution from everyday marina operations. The Georgia Clean Marina Program is part of a national initiative and is administered through a collaborative partnership between the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Coastal Resources Division (CRD), the University of Georgia Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, and the Georgia Marine Business Association (GAMBA). Marinas play a vital role in coastal communities by supporting recreational boating and marine tourism. With many marinas situated within ecologically sensitive marshlands and waterways, certified facilities are taking active steps to safeguard these natural assets. Read more here.

New Jersey – Department of Environmental Protection Announces New Coastal Wetlands Mapping Tool

The Department of Environmental Protection recently announced the launch of an informational website and mapping tool to help the public, stakeholders, and government officials advance work to make coastal wetlands more resilient to increasing rates of sea-level rise, which in New Jersey are twice the global average. Data derived from the development of the tool shows that 61% of the state’s coastal wetlands may be at risk of being lost because the processes that help create them are not able to keep pace with the accelerating pace of sea level rise. This situation potentially jeopardizes the ecological diversity that is found in robust wetlands as well as the important storm surge protection wetlands provide coastal communities. “The science clearly demonstrates that our coastal wetlands are facing increased stress due to the accelerating pace of sea-level rise,” said New Jersey Chief Resilience Officer Nick Angarone. “This tool, developed with our many partners in the New Jersey Tidal Wetland Monitoring Network, builds upon the many planning and technical resources the DEP provides to help communities make informed decisions about climate resilience and plan for the impacts and the associated hazards of climate change.” Read more here.

Today, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) awarded $10 million in grants for 15 projects focused on mitigating the effects of harmful algal blooms, including blue-green algae. “With this investment, we are enhancing our ability to take proactive steps to prevent harmful algal blooms and, if they were to occur, to respond to blooms more effectively than ever before, protecting both our natural resources and local communities,” said DEP Secretary Alexis A. Lambert. Since launching the Innovative Technology for Harmful Algal Blooms Grant Program in 2019, Florida has invested in more than 65 innovative technologies to combat harmful algal blooms. Notably, since this technology has been deployed, there have been no discharges of algal mats from Lake Okeechobee to the St. Lucie or the Caloosahatchee estuaries in the past two years. Read more here.

An Accidental Delta Taught Louisiana Scientists How to Rebuild Wetlands

Amid the rapid erosion of Louisiana’s coast, something hopeful is happening where the Atchafalaya River meets the Gulf. Louisiana’s wetlands are some of the most vulnerable in the world, with much of the coast washing away at a rate of about a football field every 100 minutes, endangering cities, towns and livelihoods all along the coast. Wax Lake Delta bucks this trend, with one estimate from LSU researchers suggesting land grows by about half a square mile a year. Louisiana officials and researchers are scrambling to respond to the wetland crisis and using Wax Lake’s land-building success to inform other coastal restoration efforts, such as marsh creation, manmade oyster reefs and rebuilding barrier islands. Read more here.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Office of Coastal Management is rolling out a new program that highlights the best and most beautiful viewing spots along Lake Erie. The Lake Erie Scenic Vistas initiative is a project of the Ohio Coastal Management Program that identifies points along the 312-mile coast that offer picturesque and open spaces with little or no modern intrusions. From pristine natural landscapes to popular recreational destinations, each Lake Erie Scenic Vista location possesses unique and intrinsic qualities. There are 69 designated Scenic Vistas at 57 public access sites across seven counties along Lake Erie. These designated sites illustrate the fusion of the coast’s natural beauty, recreational value, environmental importance and economic impact. Visitors interested in experiencing Lake Erie in new and exciting ways can view maps of these sites by checking out the Lake Erie Scenic Vistas webpage. Read more here.

Wisconsin- Seeing Wetlands as a Flood Solution Drove Bipartisan Support

In fewer than 10 years, three catastrophic floods ravaged northwestern Wisconsin and changed the way people think about water. The most severe, in July 2016, slammed Ashland with more than 10 inches of rain in less than a day. As rivers swelled to record highs, culverts washed away and major highways broke into pieces. It took months for roads to reopen, with damage of more than $41 million across seven counties. Today, the Marengo River stands as an example of a new, cheaper kind of solution. Following the record floods, state leaders invested in restoring wetlands within the watershed to relieve flooding.  A 2024 Wisconsin law geared at preventing such disasters before they happen, inspired by the wetland work in the Marengo River watershed, is going to test that theory. The bill forms a grant program for flood-stricken communities to better understand where and why they flood and restore wetlands in areas that need the help most. Eleven communities were funded, touching most corners of the state, according to Wisconsin Emergency Management, which administered the grants. Read more here.

The County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) native plant nursery, founded last year to support coastal dune restoration and promote sustainable practices across Maui County, is currently cultivating more than 30 native plant species. “Our nursery team is doing incredible work to support native ecosystems and strengthen Maui County’s coastlines,” DPR Director Patrick McCall said. “By focusing on native plants and sustainable restoration practices, they’re helping protect our environment for future generations and ensuring a healthier, more resilient island.” To date, the nursery has propagated more than 3,000 native plants, with approximately 1,000 of those being used for Maui County’s dune restoration efforts in partnership with the University of Hawai‘i Maui Sea Grant Program and the Surfrider Foundation Maui Chapter. Read more here.

California – Coastal Commission Returns 136 Acres of Coastal Land to Native American Stewardship

On April 9, the California Coastal Commission unanimously approved a management plan and a permit for Caltrans to return 136 acres of coastal land in northern Mendocino County to Native American stewardship. Going forward, the spectacular beach, public trails and coastal bluffs known as Blues Beach will be stewarded by Kai Poma, a tribal non-profit formed by members of the Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians, Round Valley Indian Tribes, and Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo Indians. This outcome was instigated by Senator Mike McGuire’s SB 231, which required the return of Blues Beach to its rightful owners. The Commission is honored to work with our partners at Kai Poma, Senate Pro-Tem Mike McGuire, and Caltrans on completing this historic land return. Read more here.

The US Department of Transportation has announced up to $500 million in funding for the Fiscal Year 2025 Port Infrastructure Development Program. State governments, County governments, Native American Tribal governments, special district governments, and city governments are eligible to apply. The deadline is September 10, 2025. Learn more here.

ASBPA National Coastal Conference 2025 Call for Abstracts

The ASBPA is excited to share the call for abstracts is open for the “Coasts on the Leading Edge: Bridging Science, Policy and Community” on October 7-10 in Long Beach, California. Technical, policy-oriented, and coastal floodplain resource and flood risk management presentations or posters are invited for a broad range of coastal and estuarine ecology, science, engineering, economics, and policy. We will also have sessions on the Blue Flag USA Award criteria such as environmental management; water quality; beach accessibility; beach safety and operations; and community engagement. Abstracts are due June 1st for PowerPoint Presentations and August 15 for Poster Presentations. Learn more here.

Applications Now Being Accepted from Future Leaders for Empire State Fellows Program

Applications are now being accepted for the Empire State Fellows Program, a full-time, two-year leadership training program that prepares the next generation of talented professionals for careers as New York State policymakers. New Yorkers interested in the 2026-2028 class of this prestigious program should apply by the deadline of June 1, 2025. The incoming class of Empire State Fellows will serve from January 15, 2026, and receive an annual salary of $90,000, plus a generous benefits package. Apply here.

Student Writing Competition: Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal Law and Policy

The Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia Law School, together with New York Sea Grant, is pleased to announce a writing competition for law students interested in writing on legal and policy issues associated with marine carbon dioxide removal. The competition is being held in connection with a one-day symposium on the topic “Navigating Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal: From Science to Regulation” which will be co-hosted by the Sabin Center and New York Sea Grant in September 2025. The winning article will be published in a special issue of the Sea Grant Law & Policy Journal, an online, scholarly publication of the National Sea Grant Law Center that will accompany the symposium. The winning author will also be invited to attend the symposium in New York to present their work. The top two pieces will each receive a cash prize of $500. The dealine is June 15, 2025. Learn more here.

Funding Opportunities

Nearly all federal grant opportunities are being re-evaluated and updated – awards using IRA and BIL funds are getting extra scrutiny. NOFOs are being removed, replaced, and updated. Be aware the opportunities posted below may be de-listed when you read this.

Funding Opportunity: Environmental Literacy for Community Resilience in the Gulf

NOAA’s Environmental Literacy Program is partnering with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Gulf Research Program (GRP) to enhance community resilience and increase the environmental literacy of community members across the U.S. Gulf States (Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida) through place-based education. With NOAA’s support, GRP is offering a funding opportunity titled Environmental Literacy for Community Resilience for projects that educate community members on local environmental challenges, engage learners in solutions-oriented activities, and empower participants to engage in them. A total of $4M is available for this funding opportunity. Applicants must request between $100,000 and $750,000 for projects, commensurate with the scope of work, that are between 12 and 36 months in duration. Applications are due May 21, 2025. Learn more here.