Habitat Restoration

Habitat Restoration is one way to help unhealthy or disturbed areas return to healthy, balanced ecosystems. Activities such as development, pollution, recreational use, introduction of invasive species, and even every day use can cause sensitive habitats to degrade. And, not just wild or out of the way places are in jeopardy of degradation. Recreation areas within cities, urban parks, green spaces, and open spaces also benefit from restoration activities.

In coastal areas, restoration projects mainly strive to improve the water quality and support local biodiversity. Healthy marine and coastal ecosystems have far reaching impacts. Healthy beaches attract not only people, but also coastal birds and wildlife, increase safe recreational opportunities, and

Restoration projects are a great way to involve people in their communities, instill a sense of stewardship and create community pride.

What you can do

There are as many different types of restoration projects as there are ecosystems. Projects can range from restoring a seagrass bed, removing non-native plant species and planting native plants, to collecting data on migratory birds, or endangered species. To find out what restoration projects are happening in your community, conatact your local coastal authority, community center, or nature center.