The national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA) is providing $400,000 in federal funding to the state of north carolina through the inflation reduction act

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is providing $1.2M in federal funding through a Cooperative Agreement under the Office for Coastal Management (CFDA 11.473) program to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ). This 5-year award, effective May 1, 2024, will build the capacity of the North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve (NC NERR) to implement climate resilience projects and support stewardship, research, education, and training activities at the Masonboro Island and Zekes Island sites. Specifically, the funding will support the development and implementation of habitat resilience plans for these southern NC NERR sites to enhance the climate resilience of coastal communities in the region.

This funding will build the ability of the north carolina national estuarine research reserve (NC nerr) within the north carolina department of environmental quality to implement projects, initiatives, and programs that increase the climate resilience of coastal communities within coastal counties. Specifically, the NC nerr will use these funds to provide additional capacity to develop and implement habitat resilience plans at the NC nerr southern sites by funding the development and implementation of habitat resilience plans for the masonboro island and zekes island. In addition, to provide capacity to support NC nerr program activities at the ncnerr southern sites, including stewardship, research and monitoring, education, and training at the masonboro island and zekes island.