U.S. Navy Environmental Stewardship
Established in 2013, the U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFFC) sponsored "Stewards of the Sea: Defending Freedom, Protecting the Environment” outreach program and interactive exhibit works to educate key stakeholders on the Navy's environmental policy and initiatives, and to increase support for its training and basing activities among public, scientific, and regulatory communities. Now jointly managed with U.S. Pacific Fleet Command (PACFLT), the program has expanded nationally, reaching hundreds of thousands of visitors through its permanent and portable exhibits.
The Department of the Navy environmental programs play a vital role in the achievement of our National Defense Strategy. The Navy conducts numerous conservation, restoration, innovation, and sustainment efforts to protect the environment, while fulfilling the Navy’s readiness mission.
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP
In its role as a responsible steward of the environment, the U.S. Navy’s goal is to protect the unique and sensitive resources present in areas where it trains and conducts tests, while still providing the realistic experiences necessary for the readiness and safety of its Sailors. To continue to achieve both of these goals, the Navy invests in scientific research and collects data, applies the most current science and latest technologies to improve its environmental analyses, and implements successful environmental and cultural stewardship programs.
The Navy is committed to protecting the marine and coastal environments. Programs have been established to care for and protect threatened and endangered plants and wildlife, and cultural and historic buildings and sites on Navy ranges.
Initiatives include:
- Comprehensive suite of protective measures during training and testing activities
- Wildlife habitat protection and enhancement
- Rare, threatened, and endangered species monitoring
- Archaeological surveys and site protection
- Marine mammal monitoring
- Overflight restrictions to minimize wildlife disturbance