At play

Visit your local national marine sanctuaries, national estuarine research reserves, national wildlife refuges, national fish hatcheries, and national parks.

Purchasing a fishing or hunting license often means generating revenue for state wildlife conservation efforts. Learn to dive, as that gives you a view of the world that only 1% of Americans have ever seen, instilling a sense of wonder and responsibility for ocean conservation.

Anchor boats in sandy areas or mooring buoys, away from corals, seagrasses, and other sensitive coastal environments. Enjoy coral reefs from a distance. Avoid standing on or kicking corals—which are animals!—so that they can continue to support fisheries, tourism, and safe coastal communities. And please keep off the dunes! Sand dunes represent nature’s best protection against shoreline erosion. Please don’t walk on or damage this fragile resource. Use the dune walkovers.

There are millions of people who depend on the ocean and coast for their livelihood, from commercial fishermen and to the recreation and tourism industry. A healthy coast is good for the local and national economy.

You might be amazed at what you see!

Honestly, it’s the next best thing to being there.

Learn more about the natural world around you. Check with your local parks and recreation department for offerings close to home or visit one of our aquarium partners.

Learn more about the aquatic environment around you. There’s 29 National Estuarine Research Reserves and 15 National Marine Sanctuaries awaiting exploration, and over a thousand other underwater parks all over the country. You can also find coastal and other parks near you.

The National Coastal Zone Management Program works with states to protect our nation’s coasts and Great Lakes, including preserving and enhancing public access to beaches and coastal waters.