• Estuaries are important parts of our lives; interconnected to our economy, hobbies and culture, and an important part of our coastal and ocean ecosystems. 
  • Estuaries provide commercial economic benefit to the U.S. in the form of seafood sales and jobs.
  • Recreational activities – such as fishing, birding, boating and hiking – are enjoyed by millions of Americans each year in estuaries bringing income to coastal communities. 
  • Estuaries offer cultural importance to Americans. They are often city and trade centers, they are an important source of food, the buffer communities from storm surges, and they have a long history of cultural use by Native Americans. 
  • Estuaries are vital ecosystems providing diverse habitat and nursery areas for many important organisms.
• Because we are all connected to the nation’s coasts, our activities have many affects on estuaries, many of which are negative.
  • Anthropogenic disturbances to estuaries include coastal development, introduction of invasive species, pollution via runoff, over fishing, dredging and filling, dams and global climate change. 
  • From government agencies and laws – established to protect estuaries – to volunteer citizens groups, our coasts are protected, restored and conserved in many ways. 
  • There are many things you can do around your home an in your community to keep estuaries clean.

Want to Learn More?

1. Estuaries are Vital to Humans
2. Commercial Economic Benefits
   • Recreational Benefits
   • Cultural Importance
   • Environmental Importance
3. Humans Activities Impact Estuaries
   • Anthropogenic Disturbances
   • Restoring and Protecting Estuaries
   • What Can You Do to Help?