North carolina nerr FY2024 operations project description the north carolina national estuarine research reserve (reserve, ncnerr) is a multi-component reserve with components designated in 1985 and…

North carolina nerr FY2024 operations project description the north carolina national estuarine research reserve (reserve, ncnerr) is a multi-component reserve with components designated in 1985 and 1991. The reserve is administered by the N.C. Department of environmental quality's division of coastal management (DCM) which is submitting this 2-year application for FY24-25 funds to support operations, research and monitoring, education, training, and stewardship activities from july 1, 2024 through december 31, 2026. The DCM is requesting $1,850,031 which will be matched by $792,871 and is derived from the following sources: 1. State appropriated salary and fringe for a portion of the southern sites manager, director, PIO, and reserve manager; and state appropriated salary and fringe for the research coordinator position; 2. State appropriated operating expenses; 3. Volunteer hours (year 2 only) and 4. Waived indirect from the university of north carolina wilmington staffing contract. During FY24-25, the N.C. Reserve will focus on resilience-related topics across the programs including estuarine shoreline research, monitoring and training, implementing a habitat resilience plan and translating the plan to other sites, and incorporation of information into education activities; continued communications to support stewardship, education, and research initiatives; volunteer engagement through the site stewards program; collaborating with partners on a variety of externally funded projects across the sectors; implementing the ncnerr FY21 PAC award; evaluating drones for habitat assessment; updating the management plan; and mentoring the davidson fellow. The reserve will also continue addressing recommendations from the 312 evaluation. Linkages to the N.C. Reserve 2020-2025 management plan are cited in the task outcomes throughout the cooperative agreement where applicable.