The American Coastal Coalition is proud to work with 23 ACC members and campaign participants this summer to advocate for federal funding for beaches. Throughout our campaign, we gained two new members – New Jersey’s Cape May County and the Borough of Sea Girt – and were joined by Love Blue, Inc., Millcreek Township, PA, and the Presque Isle Partnership.
Through news coverage, social media posts, our petition and our network of members and participants, we have helped reached thousands of people to communicate the importance of America’s beaches.
All summer long we lead the conversation around local and national economies, storm protection, public access, wildlife habitat, and coastal livelihoods. Here are the fast facts:
- 47% of Americans visit a beach every year
- US beaches produce over $520 billion in economic output and $36 billion in taxes
- 54.6 million Americans are employed by coastal jobs, and 129 million people live within 50 miles of a US coastline
- Beaches support critical nesting and nursery habitat for migratory birds and endangered species
- With rising sea levels, sediment loss, & increasing storms, 50% of all beaches could be lost by 2100
#YEStoBeaches Petition Sees Nationwide Support
America's beaches are for everyone. All summer long, coastal tourists and residents from across the country made their voices heard by signing our #YEStoBeaches petition. We’ve heard support from coastal communities nationwide, but we were thrilled to see support pouring in from inland states from Colorado to Tennessee. See the spread of petition signers below:
Our petition currently has over 1,100 signatures, with over 400 additional comments advocating for why their beach matters. Here are some of the comments received from concerned constituents:
- "The beach is the lifeblood of our community. Tourism is the only industry, which fuels our restaurants, retail & other services that serve the community. We can barely walk on the beach these days due to the extreme erosion. Please restore our beautiful beaches!”
- “I support the #YesToBeaches movement because protecting our coastline means protecting our community, wildlife, and environment for generations to come.”
- “…I see firsthand the effect of erosion on the quality of our coastal community. Healthy beaches are important for our coastal ecology and our tourist-based economy.”
- "Beach nourishment is one of the smartest investments Congress can make. It protects communities, supports local economies, preserves critical infrastructure, and strengthens resilience against increasingly severe storms.”
- “Beaches are part of the natural beauty of this country and tourism provides tax revenue dollars that are worth the investment.”
Even as the #YEStoBeaches 2026 campaign ends, your voice still matters! Our petition is continuing to receive support and will remain open on our website for the next few months.
Meetings with Members of Congress
This summer, the ACC met with over 30 congressional offices to raise awareness about the beach nourishment program and the importance of Congress providing $200 million in federal funding for America’s beaches. Legislators have had the opportunity to learn about the #YEStoBeaches campaign, the history of the ACC, and exactly how our funding ask would support their local communities and constituents. If you visit beaches in any of these states, we've met with your legislators:
- California
- Delaware
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Texas
- Virginia
#YEStoBeaches Media Coverage
- Beach Projects: Can They Be Sustained Long-term?
- Jersey Shore beach replenishment funding push comes as erosion concerns grow
- Tybee city officials share #YEStoBeaches petition, push for coastal funding
2026 Photo Contest Winners
Thank you to all participants in the #YEStoBeaches 2026 Photo Contest! The photos were so great, we decided to select three winners. Here are the winning photos:
Photo by Jenna Sparks
Photo By Brent Levy
Photo By Dan Cipollini
We would like to give a special thank you to each and every petition signer, campaign supporter, and ACC member community who is raising their voice and joining the fight to protect America's beaches and coasts.
Find more information on our campaign here, and learn more about beach nourishment through our fact sheets & informational resources.