The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is an American scientific agency within the United States Department of Commerce. The mission of NOAA is “to understand and predict changes in climate, weather, oceans, and coasts, to share that knowledge and information with others, and to conserve and manage coastal and marine ecosystems and resources.”

Friends of NOAA support NOAA’s 9 key focus areas:

• Weather
• Climate
• Oceans and Coasts
• Fisheries
• Satellites
• Research
• Marine and Aviation
• Charting
• Sanctuaries

To learn more about NOAA, visit their website at www.noaa.gov.