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Estuaries and the National Estuary Program

  • What Are Estuaries?

    Estuaries are places where freshwater from rivers mix with saltwater from the sea. Learn more about estuaries.

  • Why Are Estuaries Important?

    Learn about the important resources, benefits and services that estuaries provide.

  • What You Can Do to Help

    Learn how to protect estuaries.

  • Estuary Information for Teachers and Students

    View educational materials.

The NEP is a collaborative, efficient, and adaptable ecosystem-based network of organizations that protects and restores 28 estuaries of national significance.

Learn about the NEP

Learn about the NEP

Learn about the National Estuary Program's work, accomplishments, and resources.

  • Overview of the NEP
  • National Results
  • Progress Evaluation
  • NEP Reports
  • Free Materials

Explore Local Estuary Programs

Local Estuary Programs

Explore the websites, CCMPs, and State of the Bay Reports from individual NEPs.

  • Map of NEP Locations
  • Local NEP websites
  • Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plans (CCMPs)
  • State of the Bay Reports

NEP Success Stories

NEP Success Stories

Read about NEP environmental, programmatic, and leveraging success stories.

  • How NEPs Address Environmental Issues
  • Local NEP Environmental Issue Fact Sheets
  • Sustainable Financing Examples from the NEP
  • Lessons Learned and Keys to Success
  • NEP Habitat Plans

Funding Resources

Watersheds grants mapper

Read about grant opportunities available for projects in qualifying geographic areas.

  • NEP Watersheds Grant Funding Opportunity
  • NEP Coastal Watersheds Grant

NEPMap

 

NEPmap

Explore NEP habitat protection and restoration projects, along with other key water quality and land use data.

  • NEPmap

Interactive StoryMap

National Estuary Program Storymap

Learn about the 28 local NEPs, the issues they face, and how partnerships coordinate local actions.

  • Interactive StoryMap

Related Information

  • NEP en Español
  • ANEP
  • Climate-Ready Estuaries
  • Ocean Acidification
  • Trash-Free Waters
  • Urban Waters
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
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Last updated on April 12, 2022