About
What is SASMI?
The South Atlantic Salt Marsh Initiative (SASMI) is a regional effort and voluntary, non-regulatory partnership that brings together leaders from the Southeast Regional Partnership for Planning and Sustainability (SERPPAS) and other local, state and federal partners, communities and nongovernmental organizations to determine the greatest threats to the salt marsh ecosystem and opportunities to ensure its survival in the four-state region from North Carolina through Brevard County in east-central Florida. This coalition effort officially launched in May 2021, and since then SERPPAS and The Pew Charitable Trusts have brought together approximately 300 diverse partners across the region.
SASMI’s pathway to the protection, restoration and migration of this great expanse of salt marsh is the SASMI Plan.
Goal
SASMI’s goal is to enhance the long-term abundance, health and resilience of the approximately 1 million acres of salt marshes within the South Atlantic states to ensure no overall loss of the benefits these wetlands provide to fish, wildlife and people.
Mission
SASMI's mission is to bring together diverse partners and stakeholders to develop and implement the SASMI Plan to the benefit of people, communities, military installations, and wildlife that depend on South Atlantic salt marshes.
SASMI History
SASMI was officially approved by the Southeast Regional Partnership for Planning and Sustainability (SERPPAS) and launched in May 2021. The successful regional SERPPAS conservation effort known as America’s Longleaf Restoration Initiative provided both inspiration and a model for SASMI. Using that approach, SASMI brings together diverse partners and stakeholders to develop and implement an integrated, coordinated and focused 10-year regional plan for South Atlantic salt marshes.
Guiding Principles
- Partnership and collaboration
- Strategic, science-based spproach
- Conservation Plan as a framework and catalyst
- Voluntary and non-regulatory approach
- Additive value to our partners
Andy Johnson/Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Coordinator
As the SASMI Coordinator, Amanda Gobeli is responsible for providing technical and administrative support for the communication, implementation, strategic planning, and operation of SASMI activities, project objectives and meetings.