Nerra will utilize this federal funding to partner with NOAA's office for coastal management (OCM) to assist in expanding the ability of the national estuarine research reserve system (nerrs), as well…

This $246,312 Cooperative Agreement award from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the Coastal Zone Management Administration Awards (CFDA 11.419) program will enable the National Estuarine Research Reserve Association (NERRA) to partner with NOAA's Office for Coastal Management (OCM) to strengthen and expand the National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS). The project will focus on three overarching goals: 1) strengthening and supporting national NERRS campaigns and programs, 2) increasing awareness and capacity of the NERRS and its network, and 3) providing services and support to meet the dynamic needs of the NERRS system. This will be accomplished through strategic partnerships with states, universities, other government agencies, and private-sector organizations to promote, protect, manage, and study the nation's estuaries and coastal resources. The award period runs from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2027.

Nerra will utilize this federal funding to partner with NOAA's office for coastal management (OCM) to assist in expanding the ability of the national estuarine research reserve system (nerrs), as well as coastal managers, to establish long-term public and private partnerships to support and better implement nerrs and coastal management programs. This project will involve the states, universities, NOAA, other government agencies, and private-sector organizations to further the mission of the nerrs to better promote, protect, manage, and study our nation's estuaries and coastal resources. The activities under this project will accomplish this by seeking partners with mutual interests with the OCM, nerrs and nerra. The project will support nerrs system-wide programs, OCM partnerships, and NGO partnerships. The cooperative agreement outlines three overarching goals: goal 1 strengthen and support national campaigns and programs within the nerrs and work in partnerships to increase the capacity of the nerrs. Goal 2 increase both internal and public awareness and information of work happening at the nerrs, support system growth, and build capacity of the friends and foundation network. Goal 3 provide services and support pursuant to the dynamic needs of the system.