NOAA's Digital Coast: Data That Comes With the Tools to Use It

A pile of data does not manage a coastline by itself. To be useful, data usually needs tools to work with it, information to understand it and training to use it well. NOAA's Digital Coast was built on that idea: it gives the coastal management community the whole package — data, tools and training — in one place.

The Digital Coast. Credit: NOAA.

Where newcomers start

People new to the Digital Coast usually begin with its topics. Each topic, from climate adaptation to ocean planning, gathers the data, tools and training most relevant to it.

Another good starting point is the stories: short accounts of how communities have used Digital Coast resources to deal with real coastal management problems.

Where experienced users go

Experienced users tend to go straight to the data or the tools they need. Search functions show quickly what is available, and each landing page explains what is worth knowing before downloading.

Training for everyone

Both newcomers and veterans browse the training section, which holds a wide range of learning materials:

• quick reference guides
• detailed reports
• how-to products
• online training
• training delivered in person, at a location of your choosing

What makes it work

Much of the Digital Coast's success comes from two things: content contributed by many trusted sources, and a sharp focus on one audience — the people who manage the coast.

Sources

Based on "What is Digital Coast?" from NOAA's National Ocean Service, a work of the United States government in the public domain.