NOAA General Documents
Coral Reef Information System (CoRIS)

"Starting in 2001, The Nature Conservancy and the NOAA's Community-based Restoration Program have been working in a formal National Partnership to do just that. Through the 124 community-based projects supported in the first decade of partnership, we have made a difference in those places PLUS we've learned how to do coastal restoration right, building a solid knowledge and capacity base for the next generation of even larger scale restoration projects. Of course, it hasn't just been Conservancy and NOAA staff at work here - research scientists, environmental managers from all levels of government, tribes, school classes and community organizations of all kinds have all contributed time and talent to the projects described here. The more than 100,000 volunteers who contributed their time and talent to these projects have shown that coastal communities are committed to restoring and stewarding their vital coastal resources. The impact of these projects has been multiplied in many places as they have inspired policy changes that enable more and better coastal restoration and habitat protection. This report aims to capture some of what has been accomplished and learned. Of more importance, it aims to tell 'stories of restoration;' what can be accomplished when communities come together around shared goals for environmental and community restoration"--P. iii.