North inlet-winyah BAY infrastructure capacity-building project description the national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA) is providing $502,459 in federal funding to the state of south…

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), through the Office for Coastal Management (CFDA 11.473) program, awarded a $502,459 Cooperative Agreement to the University of South Carolina to build the capacity of the North Inlet-Winyah Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. The funding will support the development of targeted spatial information products and analyses to inform habitat restoration and conservation projects, with a focus on regional saltmarsh vulnerability and migration assessments, as well as tidal forested wetlands in the Winyah Bay estuary. The 3-year award, effective from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2027, will enable the university to pursue additional funding opportunities to support priority objectives identified in the reserve's conservation and restoration plan.

North inlet-winyah BAY infrastructure capacity-building project description the national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA) is providing $502,459 in federal funding to the state of south carolina through the bipartisan infrastructure law. This funding will build the capacity of the north inlet-winyah BAY national estuarine research reserve within the university of south carolina to plan for and implement habitat restoration and conservation projects proposed through funding opportunities connected to the bipartisan infrastructure law. Specifically, the north inlet-winyah BAY nerr will use these funds to targeted spatial information products and analyses relevant to our broader stewardship mission regarding the conservation, restoration and effective management of critical coastal habitats and resources in the face of accelerating sea level rise and climate change. The first priority for this work will focus on regional saltmarsh vulnerability and migration analyses, applying many of the various marsh assessments and mapping protocols developed by the nerrs, nationally (such as the recent pathways to resilience efforts funded by nfwf that was conducted at several reserves around the system). A second priority area for this work will be the tidal forested wetlands of the upper, freshwater portions of the winyah BAY estuary. The reserve will also work with partners to pursue funding to support priority objectives identified in the reserves conservation and restoration plan and as further developed from the spatial analysis and mapping efforts.