Partners and Committees

The Estuary Program is not a government agency, but a cooperative program that depends on the efforts of many partners—non-profits, businesses, volunteers, and agencies—to accomplish our shared goals of protecting and restoring the estuary and the watershed.

This unusual collaboration relies on a small full-time staff and a network of committees to move the program forward. The Executive Committee provides the general policy direction for the program, monitors its activities, assesses its progress, and approves grant requests. The Executive Committee is advised by the Implementation Committee, which includes representatives of dozens of agencies and community organizations. Implementation Committee members also serve on three ‘working groups’ that focus on science and technical issues, financial planning and funding, and education and outreach projects. Anyone interested in these topics and willing to devote the time may participate on a working group.

The quarterly meetings of the Implementation Committee and Executive Committee, as well as the Bay Foundation’s monthly meetings, are open to the public. In addition, the MBNEP holds occasional public meetings on topics of interest to the community.