The US Blue Flag Program
Blue Flag USA is responsible for administration of sites in the continental United States, Alaska, and Hawaii. The US program began investigating the interest and feasibility in the program in 2019. Over the past two years, American Shore and Beach Preservation Association has worked internally and with partners to assess the feasibility of taking on this program. We signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Foundation of Environmental Education (FEE) and the National Wildlife Federation, the United States’ associate member to FEE, in May 2020 and received affiliate membership status with FEE in July 2020. In October 2020 we received confirmation on our Feasibility Study and were requested to submit up to five pilot sites for their next meeting.
Blue Flag USA kicked off 2021 by submitting four sites for the pilot phase. East Beach in Galveston Island, Texas; Lovers Key State Park in Lee County, Florida; Zuma Beach in Malibu, California; and Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii have all been granted Pilot Site status and are invited to apply for the Blue Flag award as soon as they fully comply with the Blue Flag criteria.
If you are interested in learning about programs in the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, or other countries check out the network of National Operators or contact staff for more information.
The US National Operator
Blue Flag USA is operated by American Shore and Beach Preservation Association. Founded in 1926, ASBPA is a501(c)3 nonprofit that advocates for healthy coastlines by promoting the integration of science policies and actions that maintain, protect, and enhance the coasts of America. We bring together coastal communities, industry, academics and individuals on the four US coasts -Atlantic, Gulf, Pacific, and Great Lakes.
Contact us at blueflagusa@asbpa.org.