ANEP - Estuary programs, wetlands, bays, estuaries, aquatic habitats

Welcome to the Association of National Estuary Programs

What's New @ ANEP? ...

Visit an Estuary | Click Here

Spend some time with the U.S.'s 28 nationally-designated estuaries and learn the answers to these and other questions ...

Which estuary holds the record for third largest concentration of recreational boats in the US? ... Another has the largest port on the US east coast and is among the largest in the world ... And which of the 28 is the only NEP outside of the continental US?

NEP Image Gallery | Click Here

Download desktop images from some of the NEPs.

ANEP Publications | Click Here

In addition to our "spotlight" features on the NEPs, there are a variety of downloadable quick reads that highlight estuary facts, efforts and recipes from each of the 28 National Estuary Programs. These include:

- Fact sheets | Click Here
- Fact Cards | Click Here
- Recipes | Click Here

"ANEP Update" Archive:
2001 - 2004 | Click Here

Take a look back at activities, successes and challenges of the estuary programs, as well as past events and conferences.

... this ANEP database features a sampling of the National Estuary Program's habitat programs and initiatives. | Click Here

What Is ANEP? ...

The Association of National Estuary Programs (ANEP) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting responsible stewardship and a common vision for the preservation and restoration of our nation’s bays and estuaries.

Map of the 28 NEPs | Click Here

Established in 1987 by amendments to the Clean Water Act to "identify, restore, and protect nationally significant estuaries of the United States," ANEP works with the 28 National Estuary Programs tocoordinate the national agenda and to achieve support andcommunication among them. | More Info

ANEP's mission is to ...

Seek support and commitment for developing and implementing Comprehensive Conservation Management Plans (CCMPs) by educating constituencies and decision-makers about issues affecting our nation's bay and estuarine ecosystems.

Share the practical experience and successes of the National Estuary Program (NEP) consensus-based approach to solving pollution and resource management problems with other resource managers that will be useful in ensuring the long-term environmental and economic viability of all coastal and estuarine resources.

Promote the formation and strengthening of the federal/state/local and public/private partnerships in decision-making and developing long-term ecosystem management policies that have been fledged across the nation.

Capitalize on the hundreds of thousands of volunteer hours invested thus far nationwide, and recognize the important role that Management Conferences play as a continuing forum for all stakeholders.

Bring consistency to estuarine data collection and management, and turn data into useful information that is aggregated (consolidated) into meaningful status and trends at the national scale. Ensure that data are reliable, objective and goal-directed. Achieve recognition of the critical roles for continued monitoring and assessment.