The weeks BAY national estuarine research reserve (the reserve), designated in 1986, is located in baldwin county, alabama

The reserve is administered by the state lands division, alabama department of conservation and natural resources (ADCNR) who is submitting this application for fiscal year 2024 (FY 2024) funds to support operations, research and monitoring, education, training, and stewardship activities from october 1, 2024, through march 31, 2026. The ADCNR is requesting $867,113.00 federal funds to be matched* by $371,620.00 in the form of 30% match for a total of $1,238,733.00 for both federal and state funds. Program income (estimated $10,000) in the additive method is requested where participants are charged a registration or usage fee as appropriate (or provide donations) to participate in reserve programs and/or use facilities and assets. This program income is over and above the requested funding and will be used only to enhance reserve activities. During FY 2024, the reserve will focus on routine administration, facility maintenance, education and outreach, research, system wide monitoring program (SWMP), staff training, coastal training program (CTP), and stewardship and land management. The reserve will continue to collect three performance metrics to be used in upcoming section 312 evaluations as well as program metrics as required through the NOAA online databases. Additionally, the reserve will finish development of a new 5-year management plan. Related activities will be accomplished in accordance with established guidance from the national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA), office for coastal management (OCM), stewardship division (SD).