The Restoration Center, contained within NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service, is home to the Community-Based Restoration Program (CRP).

In 1996, the CRP began to inspire local efforts to conduct meaningful, on-the-ground restoration of marine, estuarine and riparian habitat. The Program provides seed money and technical expertise to address important fishery habitat concerns across coastal America by means of a grassroots, bottom-up approach. Projects are developed by individual and civic organizations and are successful because they have significant local support, including citizens' hands-on involvement to implement the restoration.

NOAA solicits proposals for locally-driven habitat restoration projects and works closely with communities to aid their development and implementation.

Projects subsequently are monitored and maintained by communities, promoting stewardship and a heightened appreciation for the environment and its well-being.