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

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded a $400,000 Cooperative Agreement grant under the Office for Coastal Management (CFDA 11.473) program to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). This 5-year grant, effective May 1, 2024, will support DCR's Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in implementing a three-pronged approach to increase the climate resilience of coastal communities within Massachusetts' coastal counties. The key activities funded include: (i) a nature-based shoreline solution demonstration project, (ii) habitat restoration planning to protect ecosystems that contribute to community resilience, and (iii) outreach and engagement of underserved audiences. This grant aligns with the Office for Coastal Management program's goal of supporting science-based coastal and estuarine habitat restoration, conservation, and resilience initiatives across U.S. coastal regions.

This funding will build the ability of the waquoit BAY national estuarine research reserve within the MA department of conservation and recreation to implement projects, initiatives, and programs that increase the climate resilience of coastal communities within coastal counties. Specifically, waquoit BAY national estuarine research reserve will use these funds to strengthen their work on coastal resilience, reduce vulnerability in the region and in the waquoit BAY watershed, and contribute to the long-term protection of people, property and infrastructure. The project involves utilizing a three-pronged approach: (I) implementation of a nature-based shoreline solution at a heavily used area at the reserve that will double as a demonstration pilot for students, teachers, community members, neighbors, decision-makers, and partners, (II) habitat restoration planning to restore degraded ecosystems in the waquoit BAY watershed and the ecosystem services they provide that contribute to community coastal resilience, and (III) effective outreach to and engagement of underserved audiences.