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

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has awarded a $400,000 Cooperative Agreement to the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) under the Office for Coastal Management (CFDA 11.473) federal grant program. This funding will be used to enhance the climate resilience of coastal communities and critical habitats within the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (CB-NERR) priority watersheds in Virginia.

The key objectives of this award include: 1) Improving access to and utility of real-time water quality data; 2) Increasing engagement with teachers and decision-makers to promote informed climate resilience and data platform usage; 3) Developing new communication strategies for sharing data, resources, and training materials with coastal communities; and 4) Enhancing data collection to support vulnerability mapping and management planning related to regional subsidence and marsh vulnerability. This 5-year project is scheduled to begin on May 1, 2024 and conclude on April 30, 2029.

This funding will build the ability of the virginia chesapeake BAY national estuarine research reserve (CB-NERR) within virginias institute of marine science to implement projects, initiatives, and programs that increase the climate resilience of coastal communities. Specifically, the virginia CB-NERR will use these funds to increase the climate resilience of coastal communities and critical habitats within the CB-NERR priority watersheds. This will be accomplished by enhancing access to and utility of real-time water quality data; increasing engagement with teachers and professional decision makers toward informed climate resilience and use of data platforms; creation of new communication strategies for continual sharing of data - including resources, products, training, and lesson plans as desired by coastal communities; and enhanced data collection to support vulnerability mapping and management planning related to regional subsidence and marsh vulnerability.