Mission, Vision, and Inclusion and Diversity Statement

Our Mission

To accelerate the conservation, protection, restoration, and enhancement of habitat for native Atlantic coastal, estuarine-dependent, and diadromous fishes through partnerships between federal, tribal, state, local, and other entities.

Our Vision

Healthy, thriving habitats of sufficient quantity and quality to support all life stages of Atlantic coastal, estuarine-dependent, and diadromous fishes.

ACFHP Inclusion and Diversity Statement

The Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership’s (ACFHP) mission is to accelerate the protection, restoration, and enhancement of habitat for native Atlantic coastal, estuarine-dependent, and diadromous fishes through partnerships between federal, tribal, state, local, and other entities. Our vision is to achieve healthy, thriving habitats of sufficient quantity and quality to support and sustain all life stages of these fishes.

Toward these goals, ACFHP is committed to making fish habitat conservation welcoming and accessible for all. ACFHP encourages understanding and appreciation of our natural world while promoting its conservation for the benefit of both people and nature. We believe that habitat conservation is essential to addressing the climate crisis which will impact everyone, regardless of where they come from, how they look, or their economic status. Furthermore, aquatic species and the habitats on which they depend benefit most when more people are engaged in their conservation. We believe that anyone who enjoys nature and the outdoors can be a “conservationist.” ACFHP does not discriminate on the basis of skill level, length of time identifying as an environmentalist or conservationist, age, gender identity, skin color, size, sexual orientation, ability, religion, socioeconomic status, or national or ethnic origin.

We at ACFHP will thoughtfully and honestly examine our operations, culture, and conservation work to acknowledge and address unintended harm to systematically excluded communities. ACFHP will strive to minimize such harm in the future and, to the best of our abilities, consider impacts to all stakeholders. We will be advocates for change within the environmental community, committing to equality, justice, and inclusion for all, particularly in situations within our sphere of influence. We know we have more work ahead and are committed to acknowledging our mistakes and continuing to learn and improve.