Call for Proposals: Translating Coastal Restoration into Sound Policy
By: Brad Williamson, Government Affairs and Communications Manager
To those who work in the coastal protection and restoration space, the benefits of healthy coasts, bays, estuaries, and waterways are apparent. Productive habitat for native wildlife, reduced damage from storms and floods, cleaner drinking water, and fewer pollutants in our food. Yet too often, these benefits fail to translate into the policies, funding, and political will needed to sustain long-term change.
The Policy and Issue Advocacy track highlights the strategies that help bridge this gap. We invite proposals that showcase effective approaches used across all levels and branches of government to advance clean water and resilient coasts. Topics may include public awareness and issue campaigns, nonprofit advocacy and policymaker education, legislative and budget tracking, coalition-building, and the development of targeted content for decision-makers and key audiences.
This track is designed for advocates in all forms – nonprofits, researchers, community leaders, practitioners, and agency partners – who are working to ensure coastal priorities have a seat at the table. Whether you are navigating challenges, sharing lessons learned, or celebrating advocacy successes – your experience can help strengthen and diversify the collective voice for coastal and estuarine protection.
Previous session included:
- Keeping Congress Engaged in Coastal and Estuarine Restoration
- National Policy Impacts on Coastal Management
- Policy, Funding, Equity, and Regulatory Considerations in Implementing Engineering With Nature® (EWN)
Submit your proposal here: https://estuaries.org/2026-summit-call-for-proposals/
Registration for the 2026 RAE Coastal & Estuarine Summit opens April 13.
If you have insights to share from your advocacy work, we encourage you to submit a proposal and help shape the policies that will define the future of our coasts.
