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

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) received a $1.26M Cooperative Agreement from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the Coastal Zone Management Estuarine Research Reserves program (CFDA 11.420) to support operations at the Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. The award, effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027, comprises $880,967 in federal funding matched by $377,558 in state funds. The reserve, designated in 1986 and located in Baldwin County, Alabama, will utilize these funds to deliver operations, research and monitoring, education, training, and stewardship activities across the estuarine ecosystem.

The Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve operates as a natural field laboratory supporting NOAA's mandate to advance coastal estuarine research, monitoring, and public education. Through this two-year funding period, the reserve will conduct scientific research and environmental monitoring programs, develop and deliver educational initiatives to coastal communities, provide workforce training and stewardship opportunities, and maintain operational infrastructure necessary for supporting the reserve's research and public engagement missions.

The reserve is administered by the alabama department of conservation and natural resources (ADCNR), state lands division who is submitting this application for fiscal year 2025 (FY 2025) funds to support operations, research and monitoring, education, training, and stewardship activities from october 1, 2025, through september 30, 2027. The ADCNR is requesting $880,967 federal funds to be matched* by $377,558 in the form of 30% match for a total of $1,258,525.00 for both federal and state funds.