Coasts Week 2025

Coastal Communities Unite for Coasts Week March 24-28 in Washington, DC

Members of ten national coastal professional organizations will unify in Washington, DC, Monday, March 24 – Friday, March 28 for Coasts Week 2025, a powerful, coordinated effort to ensure the voices of coastal communities and stakeholders are heard on Capitol Hill.

Coasts Week organizations join bipartisan Congressional champions and leadership of federal agencies to discuss insights and opportunities on federal coastal policy and funding in 2025. They will share a resounding, unified message of the critical importance of the nation’s shores and coastal waterways to community resilience and the economy. With events planned on Capitol Hill and around Washington DC, Coasts Week aims to engage elected officials and their staff, inspire our members, and explore how to frame bipartisan coastal issues in the 119th Congress and with the Administration.

Opportunities to Engage

Congressional staff are encouraged to attend the following events to connect with advocates, hear from coastal communities in attendance from across the nation, and confer on how federal investments sustain local economies and secure vital resources:

• Virtual Coastal Rally – Tuesday, February 25, 3-4pm EST, via Zoom (click here to connect)
  • Members of the 10 organizations will hear from members of Congress and federal agency leaders as they share insights and expectations on federal coastal policy and funding in 2025.
• Coastal Fair – Monday, March 24, 3-5pm, Rayburn House Office Building Foyer
  • Connect with over a dozen coastal professional organizations to analyze the economic value of our coasts, the challenges coastal communities face, and how Congress can support their communities. Refreshments will be provided.
• Estuary Caucus Briefing – Wednesday, March 26, 12:30-1:30pm, Rayburn House Office Building Room 2200
  • Discuss the role of estuaries as coastal infrastructure, the benefits of federal support, and the impact on local communities and economies.
• Coastal Celebration – Wednesday, March 26, 5-7pm, Hart Senate Office Building Room 902
  • Network with coastal advocates, congressional staff, and agency representatives to recognize progress in risk reduction for coastal communities. Registration is required.

Be on the lookout for invitations to the above events as well as meeting requests from coastal community representatives from supporting organizations including:

• American Shore & Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA)
• Association of National Estuary Programs (ANEP)
• Coastal States Organization (CSO)
• Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) Association
• Marine Debris Foundation
• National Estuarine Research Reserve Association (NERRA)
• National Marine Sanctuary Foundation
• Restore America’s Estuaries (RAE)
• Sea Grant Association
• Sharing Offshore Revenues from Energy Sources (SHORES) Coalition
• And more

For more information about Coasts Week 2025, or to RSVP for events, please contact Nicole Elko, ASBPA executive director, nicole.elko@asbpa.org.