The rookery BAY national estuarine research reserve (rbnerr or reserve) was designated in 1978 and is located on the southwest coast of florida

The Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded a $2.23 million cooperative agreement to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection under the Coastal Zone Management Estuarine Research Reserves program (CFDA 11.420) to support operations, research, education, communication, training, and stewardship activities at the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve from July 1, 2022 through December 31, 2023. Funding will support 12 full-time equivalent staff positions at the Reserve, including purchasing specialist, stewardship specialist, facilities mechanic, administrative assistant, and operations review specialist positions held by DEP. The award will also fund seven positions contracted through Florida International University, such as the avian specialist, coastal training program coordinator, coastal training specialist, volunteer coordinator, GIS specialist, SWMP technician, and SWMP assistant.

Rbnerr is administered by the florida department of environmental protection (DEP) submitting this application for 2022 funds to support operations, research and monitoring, education, communication, training, and stewardship activities from july 1, 2022 through december 31, 2023. DEP is requesting $780,500 which will fund the following positions: five (5) full time equivalent (FTE) employees: purchasing specialist, stewardship specialist, facilities mechanic, administrative assistant, and operations review specialist; seven (7) florida international university contracted positions: the avian specialist, coastal training program coordinator(CTPC), coastal training specialist, volunteer coordinator, geographic information system specialist (GISS), system-wide monitoring program (SWMP) technician, and SWMP assistant; and two (2) other