South slough nerr NA25NOSX420C0013 FY25 operations project description the south slough nerr, located in oregon, was designated in 1974

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded a $2,517,050 Cooperative Agreement to the Oregon Department of State Lands on October 1, 2025, under the Coastal Zone Management Estuarine Research Reserves program (CFDA 11.420) to support operations of the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve.

The reserve, located in Coos County, Oregon, manages approximately 7,000 acres of estuarine and coastal natural areas, including open water channels, tidal and freshwater wetlands, riparian areas, and forested lands. Funding supports the reserve's core functions: research, monitoring, stewardship, and education activities that improve and protect water quality and habitats such as eelgrass beds and salt marshes supporting fish, shellfish, and other wildlife species. The reserve also facilitates outdoor recreation including commercial and recreational fishing, kayaking, wildlife watching, hunting, and hiking.

The award covers the period from October 1, 2025, through March 31, 2027, with place of performance in Salem, Oregon. Operations and development costs under the Coastal Zone Management program encompass administrative expenses necessary for implementing reserve programs, consistent with the program's authorization to fund operation, education, and monitoring activities at National Estuarine Research Reserves.

South slough national estuarine research reserve was the first estuarine research reserve. We manage and study ~7,000 acres of natural areas, including open water channels, tidal and freshwater wetlands, riparian areas, and forested lands. Beyond the reserves role in research, monitoring, stewardship, and education, there is a real economic impact the reserve has on the local economy. While located in rural coos county, a 2021 economic study reported spending from south slough and its visitors supported over 66 local jobs in tourism, construction, restaurant, real estate, and retail industries and infused the local economy with over $6.2 million in revenue and ~$2.3 million in labor income. The reserve works to improve and protect water quality and habitats, like eelgrass beds and salt marshes that support diverse fish, shellfish, and other wildlife species and sustainable populations. All of this is directly tied to tourism dollars for outdoor recreation activities like fishing (COMMERCIAL/RECREATIONAL), kayaking, watching wildlife, hunting, and hiking. Coastal recreation and tourism generate up to $12 billion annually.