NOAA today announced that the Marine and Coastal Area-Based Management Advisory Committee will hold its inaugural meeting on Feb. 1-2 in Silver Spring, MD (remote participation not available).
The meeting will include open discussion and Q&A with NOAA leadership, as well as discussion of the Committee charge, nominations for Committee Chair and Vice Chair, federal law investments in areas-based management, conservation, and restoration, and priorities and areas of focus for the Committee.
Specific topics to be covered include area-based management in the U.S., the use of NOAA’s science and knowledge to guide area-based management, NOAA’s restoration programs and tools, how NOAA may best leverage area-based management tools, investments, and authorities, how NOAA may foster healthy coastal communities through partnerships, jobs, and support, and the 30×30 conservation initiative.
Established in late 2022, the Committee’s scope includes advising the NOAA Administrator on areas including but not limited to the “America the Beautiful” 30×30 conservation initiative, with NOAA previously noting that the Committee will provide a forum for discussion of opportunities to enhance conservation of biodiversity, promote climate resilience, and expand access to nature for underserved communities.
