Better Site Design for Coastal Development
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation offers a wealth of information about more environmentally friendly site design for coastal developments. The information is applicable to all coastal areas.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation
This comprehensive and extensive site contains lots of valuable information on Chesapeake Bay that is broadly applicable to other coastal watersheds. Learn about the Chesapeake Bay environment, issues affecting the Bay such as pollution and habitat destruction, and Bay restoration efforts. Also get action and networking ideas for protecting the Bay and other coastal watersheds.

Coastal Clash
Coastal Clash is a one-hour documentary which takes an in-depth look at the struggle for California`s shores, a problem echoed on coastlines around America. The website provides information on how beaches work including natural processes and the impacts of development and coastal armoring.

Coastal States Organization (CSO)
CSO helps states maintain their leadership role in the development and implementation of national coastal and ocean policy. Understand how CSO works, learn about special projects, explore coastal policy and legislation, access CSO publications, and link to state by state coastal programs and other useful resources.

Environmental Protection Agency: Oceans, Coasts, and Estuaries
EPA`s site explores many aspects of coastal habitat protection; provides information on the state of coastal environments from assessment and monitoring programs; and describes coastal stewardship partnerships such as Coastal America and the National Estuary Program.

National Geographic Xpeditions
This site provides a detailed lesson plan on Coastal Development for children ages 9-12 that can be easily adjusted for a wider age range. Links to useful resources are provided to help educators build and tailor their lesson plans.

NOAA Coastal Services Center
Access lots of useful information on CSC programs and threats to coastal environments. Also access smart growth tools, a diverse publications library, and links to volunteer and training opportunities. More advanced information and services are available for coastal managers; each week a new set of resources is featured.

The Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM)
OCRM is a part of NOAA and provides quality coverage of several important coastal issues; information on coastal policy; news updates; and access to coastal publications and educational resources. Also explore OCRM`s several initiatives and programs.

U.S Fish and Wildlife Service: Coastal Program
Access basic information on coastal ecosystems including coastal barriers; state by state fact sheets on the Coastal Program and its accomplishments; and information on coastal grant programs. Also access videos and a habitat restoration image library.

UNESCO CSI: Sustainable Development in Coastal Regions and Small Islands
CSI is a global platform for environmentally sound, socially equitable, culturally respectful and economically viable development in coastal regions and small islands. Learn "wise practices" for coastal development, read strategy documents on sustainable coastal development, access an extensive library on coastal and small island development, and share your ideas through internet forums.

URI Coastal Resources Center (CRC)
CRC works to improve global coastal zone management. Explore their theme areas (coastal hazards, coastal people, critical coastal habitats, fisheries, mariculture, tourism, urban coasts, water quality and supply), read about CRC activities related to each theme, and discover their varied approaches to coastal zone management.

We've tried to make it easier for you to learn about some of the issues that affect you and your "blue backyard" — our world's ocean. These categories organize lists for some of the best sites on the Web that we know about.

If you have suggestions for websites for us to include, please let us know! Thank you!