July is Habitat Month at NOAA Fisheries! All month long, we’ll be sharing how we protect and restore habitat to sustain our nation’s fisheries, recover endangered species, and support coastal communities.
NOAA conserves habitats like wetlands, rivers, and coral reefs to support fisheries—but habitat isn’t valuable just for the home it provides for fish and wildlife. Healthy habitats help keep our drinking water clean, protect us from storms and flooding, and support industries like boating and fishing. From jobs to seafood to tourism, coastal habitats are vital to America’s national and local economies.
Follow us here and on X (formerly Twitter) (@NOAAHabitat, #HabitatMonth). You can also stay up-to-date on our latest habitat conservation stories all year long by subscribing to HabitatNews.
Habitat Features
Coral Reefs Fuel Florida’s Economy—Restoration Ensures Their Future
NOAA and its partners are restoring Florida’s coral reefs to protect marine life, boost the local economy, and support tourism jobs. We also give divers and businesses a hands-on role in saving these vital ecosystems
Learn more about coral restoration in the Florida Keys
Oregon Tribe Partners with Agricultural Producers to Restore Salmon and Steelhead Habitat
NOAA partner the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation are removing fish passage barriers on Columbia River tributaries. Much of the work resulted from the Tribes’ long-term relationships with local landowners and agency partners.
Learn about their fish passage restoration work
Data from Tagged Fish to Help Scientists Enhance Restoration Efforts
NOAA scientists have caught, tagged, and released fish to help us learn how several Chesapeake Bay species use natural and restored areas near Poplar Island, on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
Florida Creek Restoration Benefits Fish and People in Jacksonville
The restoration of McCoys Creek with NOAA funds is creating fish habitat and recreational space for community members. It also takes 150 homes out of the flood zone.
Learn more about the restoration project
Revitalizing the Detroit River Ecosystem for Great Lakes Fisheries
NOAA and our partners’ efforts to restore portions of the Detroit River are creating critical spawning and nursery habitat for native fish and improving the health of the river ecosystem.
Read about habitat restoration in the Detroit River
Oyster Reef Restoration in the Chesapeake Bay: We're Making Significant Progress
Together with partners in Maryland and Virginia, we're working to restore oyster reef habitat around the Chesapeake Bay. We're making great progress toward our goal to restore reefs in 10 tributaries by the end of 2025.
Learn more about oyster reef restoration in the Chesapeake Bay
Habitat 101
Estuary Habitat
Estuaries are bodies of water where rivers meet the sea. They provide homes for diverse wildlife, including popular fish species. They also support recreation, jobs, tourism, shipping, and more.
Coastal Wetland Habitat
Wetlands are a pivotal part of the natural system, providing tremendous benefits for coastal ecosystems and communities. They provide us with clean water, flood protection, abundant fisheries, and more.
Learn more about coastal wetlands
Oyster Reef Habitat
Oysters are a crucial component of global ocean health. These animals filter and clean the surrounding water and provide habitat, food, and jobs. Today, however, oyster populations are at historic lows. NOAA works with partners to restore oysters and regain the critical ecosystem functions they provide.
Learn about the importance of oyster reef habitat
Shallow Coral Reef Habitat
Coral reefs are the most diverse habitats on the planet. Reefs occur in less than 1 percent of the ocean, yet are home to nearly one-quarter of all ocean species. They also provide jobs, tourism and recreation opportunities, seafood, wave protection, and more.
Learn more about shallow coral reefs
Habitat Videos, Podcasts, and Story Maps
Podcast: Dam Removals Boost Atlantic Salmon Populations in Maine
Habitat restoration efforts on the Penobscot River in Maine will help Atlantic salmon population recover and support ancestral traditions of the Penobscot Nation.
Video: Community Members Restore Hawaiʻi Coral Reefs and Reconnect with Traditional Hawaiian Ecological Practices
With support from NOAA, Kuleana Coral Restoration is training Native Hawaiians and community members in coral reef restoration. Join us as we meet a group of community members taking part in Kuleana's COAST program.
StoryMap: Oyster Reef Restoration in the Chesapeake Bay
In the Chesapeake Bay, there are only about 1 percent as many oysters as there used to be. To help the oyster population and the fish and other critters that depend on it, NOAA and partners are working together to restore oyster reefs in 10 Chesapeake Bay tributaries.
