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 National Estuary Program's work, accomplishments, and resources.

Explore Local Estuary Programs

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

NEP Success Stories

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

Funding Resources

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

NEPMap

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

NEPmap

Interactive StoryMap

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

Interactive StoryMap

Estuaries and the National Estuary Program

What Are Estuaries?

Why Are Estuaries Important?

What You Can Do to Help

Estuary Information for Teachers and Students