Beginner

For decision makers or resource managers in coastal communities seeking an actionable climate adaptation plan, the coastal restoration toolkit provides information on five main areas of concern: flooding, coastal erosion, water quality, invasive species, and wildlife habitat restoration. Each issue's distinct module provides a series of steps users can follow in order to construct their own adaptation plans. 

The Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System (SCCOOS) works to collect and integrate oceanic and coastal data into viable observations and products. Users can browse through information on several different topics, including water quality, salinity levels, currents, etc. Such data can serve a great number of stakeholders, area managers, decision makers, scientists, and the general public.

The Puerto Rico Climate Change Council (PRCCC) is a collaborative effort to assess risks and impacts from coastal hazards and climate change, and recommend adaptation strategies to government, civil society, and the private sector.

The Northeastern Regional Association of Coastal Ocean Observing Systems (NERACOOS) brings weather and ocean data for fisheries, commercial ships, and emergency weather services together for public safety. The organization works to improve the monitoring of water quality, algal blooms, flooding and erosion. Users can search through a variety of data services and products, including buoy observations, historical data, weather forecasts and satellite information.

The Northwest Association of Networked Ocean Observing Systems (NANOOS) represents an amalgamation of 65 separate products available for decision makers' use. This toolkit was created to unite the vast amount of individual pre-existing observing systems like ocean buoys, satellites, and tide gauges into one cohesive network, ensuring better communication between the systems. With this network, users can efficiently gather observational and model data that promotes the proper management of the oceans and estuaries in the Pacific Northwestern region.

The Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS) offers data on maritime safety, ecosystems and fisheries, public health, and climate adaptation and seeks to facilitate the gathering, administration, and dispensing of Great Lakes regional data. This data is visible through either the catalog or map view, both of which are good visualization methods depending on users' preferences. The tool is meant for scientists, managers, and industry stakeholders. 

The Gulf of Mexico Coastal Observing System (GCOOS) coordinates information gathered by federal, state and private partners, ensuring that data are timely, reliable, accurate and available to everyone — from weather forecasters to Coast Guard first responders — to ensure a healthy, productive ocean and resilient coastal communities for the Gulf’s 14 million residents and the $234 billion annual economic benefit it provides to the U.S. economy.

The Central and Northern California Ocean Observing System (CeNCOOS) helps users convert coastal and oceanic data into actionable climate planning. The site provides real-time and forecasted information and regional data sets on algae, wind speed, turbidity, temperatures and more. The site can help scientists, resource managers, decision-makers, students, and engaged citizens who participate in the continual improvement of the system to best meet society’s needs.

The Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association (SECOORA) gives users the opportunity to search and download real-time data, search historical data, compare datasets from different stations, generate and share custom data views, access metadata for SECOORA stations, access to regional and sub-regional models, including coastal circulation, water quality and fisheries habitat models.