About Us

The Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit environmental organization dedicated to the permanent preservation of Nantucket Sound, the historic body of water that lies between Cape Cod and the islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.

The Alliance was formed in 2002 in response to Cape Wind’s proposal to build a 25-square-mile wind energy project in the Sound. Although we support responsibly sited renewable energy development and the use of coastal marine planning to identify appropriate sites for development, the Alliance and its 20,000+ supporters oppose industrialization of Nantucket Sound due to conflicts inherent at that location. Our supporters include environmentalists, chambers of commerce, fishermen, Native American tribes, ferry operators, airport commissions, business trade groups, municipalities, homeowners, and others.

Now that Cape Wind has been stopped, the goal of the Alliance is to establish the Sound as a National Historic Landmark to preserve its rich ecology and existing uses while safeguarding against future inappropriate development. Our message is that the federal waters in Nantucket Sound are still vulnerable and must be protected from future industrial development.  

Since beginning our preservation campaign, the Alliance has united a group of nearly 100 stakeholder organizations to support federal legislation that would provide increased protections for the Sound. The Alliance is taking necessary steps to ensure that Nantucket Sound is protected for future generations to enjoy. To complement this initiative, the Alliance provides community education that promotes the Sound’s unique historic, environmental, and economic significance to the Cape and Islands.