 Assateague Coastal Trust works to protect and enhance the natural resources of the Atlantic coastal bays watershed through advocacy, conservation, and education.
ACT has a long history of environmental advocacy in the Maryland and Virginia coastal bays region, beginning with its landmark efforts in the early 1970s to preserve the unspoiled character of Assateague Island, which is now protected as a National Seashore. The oldest environmental advocacy organization protecting the coastal bays, ACT has grown to include over 700 members and community partners.
Our Watershed
The Atlantic coastal bays watershed includes the eastern portions of Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. Known for its rich soils and productive waters, the region has traditionally supported vibrant farming, fishing, and tourism industries. The watershed is home to a host of wildlife species who thrive in habitats as diverse as pine forests, salt marshes, and freshwater creeks.
But recent years have witnessed increasing development pressure. Poorly-planned growth threatens the area’s environmental health, rural character, and high quality of life. As one of the only advocacy organizations working to protect the coastal bays watershed, ACT is uniquely suited to combat these negative trends.
With the help of its volunteers and supporters, ACT is committed to keep working for clean water, open space, and controlled growth in the coastal bays region.
ACT’s offices are located in Berlin, on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
OUR PROGRAMS
ACT works to preserve the coastal bays through its advocacy, education, and conservation programs.
  Program
ACT dramatically expanded its advocacy efforts in 2002, when it launched the Assateague  program. The is an on on-the-water advocate for the coastal bays and works collaboratively with coastal bays communities as well as local, state, and federal governments and agencies to identify threats to coastal bays water quality and to support monitoring and restoration efforts. Associated with the  Alliance(a grassroots environmental advocacy organization with over 150  programs worldwide), the Assateague is dedicated to protecting the quality of the coastal bays for generations to come.
Coast Kids
Coast Kids is an environmental education program for kids and their families. The program’s mission is to help children develop a sense of place - a geographical and ecological awareness that will encourage greater enjoyment of where they live, greater interest in the environment, and ultimately, greater stewardship of the coastal bays. Coast Kids features monthly events that offer interactive, hands-on explorations of the coastal bays area. For registration information, email Coast Kids Manager Verena Chase at coastkids@actforbays.org
 Foster Horse Program
Assateague Island is home to one of the few remaining wild pony herds in the United States. The Foster Horse Program helps manage and protect these horses as well as the barrier island habitats on which they depend. The program allows horse lovers to “adopt” their favorite horse, choosing among bays, buckskins, palominos, pintos, and sorrels. Foster Parents receive a color photo of their horse as well as background information that includes a map of the island indicating where the horse can usually be spotted.
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