The national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA) is providing $399,634 in federal funding to the state of new jersey through the inflation reduction act

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is providing $399,634 in funding through the Inflation Reduction Act to the Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve (JC Reserve) at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. This award, issued under NOAA's Office for Coastal Management (CFDA 11.473) grant program, will build the JC Reserve's capacity to implement projects, initiatives, and programs that increase the climate resilience of coastal communities in New Jersey. Specifically, the funding will be used to hire a full-time Habitat Restoration and Coastal Resilience Specialist, purchase new equipment, build relationships with local indigenous communities, and provide staff and partner trainings. This award builds upon prior Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) capacity funds used to increase the Reserve's habitat restoration capabilities. The period of performance for this Cooperative Agreement is from May 1, 2024 to April 30, 2029.

This funding will build the ability of the jacques cousteau national estuarine research reserve (JC reserve) within rutgers, the state university of new jersey to implement projects, initiatives, and programs that increase the climate resilience of coastal communities within coastal counties. Specifically, the JC reserve will use these funds to build upon BIL capacity funds used to increase the reserve's habitat restoration capacity. The JC nerr will hire a full-time habitat restoration and coastal resilience specialist to work directly with the stewardship and coastal training program coordinators to implement resilience work within the reserve and oversee restoration at the grassle marsh within the boundary of the JC reserve. Additionally, funding will be used to purchase new equipment, build relationships with local indigenous communities, and to implement staff & partner trainings.