Above and Below the Waves:
Coastal and Oceanic Treasures Conserved
in the National Park System

Introduction

News Release PDF

NPS Ocean Park Stewardship Action Plan Brochure PDF

National Parks that Conserve Coastal and Oceanic Treasures

NPS Underwater, Oceanic or Coastal Related Projects, Programs, Publications and Web Sites

Coastal Watershed Condition Assessments Fact Sheet PDF

Ocean Stewardship
in the
National Parks: Updates and Accomplishments

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"In every outthrust headland, in every curving beach, in every grain of sand there is the story of the earth." -- Rachel Carson

Have you ever wanted to dive on a vibrant coral reef, witness the majesty of a towering glacier, or stroll along a remote barrier island? The National Park Service (NPS) offers opportunities to do all of those things and more. National Parks contain more than 5,100 miles of beaches, coral reefs, kelp forests, wetlands, historic shipwrecks and forts, and other features that attract more than 75 million visitors every year. In 74 parks spanning 25 coastal states and U.S. territories, people come to camp, fish, snorkel, scuba dive, boat, and watch wildlife.

Each of these Parks maintains a rich legacy of ocean wildlife, native culture, U.S. maritime history, and beautiful landscapes above and below the waves. Marine life abounds in coral reefs in Florida, U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Pacific Islands, and in kelp forests in California and the Pacific Northwest. Salt marshes framed by barrier islands provide a haven for birds, and fish and wildlife along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. Glaciers and fjords offer a stunning backdrop to thousands of years of native traditions and tribal culture in Alaska, and shipwrecks and maritime museums record centuries of commerce and military history.

Established for their natural beauty and national significance, these Parks play a critical role in conserving our nation's ocean and Great Lakes heritage. The National Park Service is proud to manage and conserve these jewels above and below the waves on behalf of the American people. As one of the premier conservation agencies the National Park Service will strive to prevent the loss of productive fisheries, habitats, and wildlife, and continue conserving our ocean resources and the recreational opportunities they afford to park visitors. In that effort, an Ocean Park Stewardship Action Plan has been developed by the NPS for restoring and maintaining the rich legacy of ocean parks for current and future generations.

The Ocean Park Stewardship Action Plan seeks to:

1. Establish a seamless network of ocean National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, National Marine Sanctuaries, and National Estuarine Research Reserves
2. Discover, map, and protect ocean parks
3. Engage visitors in ocean park stewardship
4. Increase NPS technical capacity for ocean exploration and stewardship

Explore this web site to learn about our many parks and programs that conserve underwater and oceanic treasures and address various conservation issues associated with these unique resources. Below is a sampling of National Park Service sites that can help visitors gain an understanding of these unique resources.

National Parks that Conserve Coastal and Oceanic Treasures
(click any blue site or U.S territory)