Why Nearshore Ocean Conservation Is Critical for Climate, Biodiversity, and Communities

Nearshore conservation is often overlooked in favor of flashy offshore marine protected areas. But a growing movement of community-led initiatives is showing that protecting coastal waters might be one of the smartest, most effective ways to safeguard ocean biodiversity and build climate resilience. This episode explores new insights from the Nearshore Ocean Progress report by the Center for American Progress, which highlights successful local conservation efforts across the U.S.

Community-driven ocean protection has the power to achieve more than top-down mandates. By focusing on the waters closest to home—estuaries, reefs, salt marshes, and seagrasses—coastal residents are preserving biodiversity, supporting livelihoods, and defending their homes against sea-level rise and extreme weather. Learn why investing in these initiatives may be the most impactful ocean action you can take.

Link to the document: https://www.americanprogress.org/article/nearshore-ocean-progress/