Lake superior national estuarine research reserve infrastructure capacity-building project description: the national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA) is providing $600,000 in federal…

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded a $600,000 cooperative agreement under the Office for Coastal Management (CFDA 11.473) program to the University of Wisconsin-Madison to build the capacity of the Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve. The funding will be used to establish best practices for monitoring restoration sites, develop and provide regional trainings, improve the reserve's ability to support wild rice restoration, hire additional staff, conduct bird population assessments, and provide continued support for the Lake Superior Headwaters Sustainability Partnership.

Two sub-awards were provided under this cooperative agreement. The Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) of the University of Minnesota Duluth will receive $0 to conduct surveys and gather data to assess the community composition of breeding birds in black ash stands and habitat use of rusty blackbirds. The Minnesota Land Trust will receive $0 to serve as a coordinator for the Headwaters Partnership's annual meetings and facilitate the partnership forum to support habitat restoration and conservation projects. The cooperative agreement has an award date of January 1, 2025 and an ultimate completion date of December 31, 2027.

Lake superior national estuarine research reserve infrastructure capacity-building project description: the national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA) is providing $600,000 in federal funding to the state of wisconsin through the bipartisan infrastructure law. This funding will build the capacity of the lake superior national estuarine research reserve within the university of wisconsin-madison to plan for and implement habitat restoration and conservation projects proposed through funding opportunities connected to the bipartisan infrastructure law. Specifically, the lake superior national estuarine research reserve will use these funds to establish best practices for monitoring restoration sites; develop and provide regionally relevant trainings that draw from the successful ganawenindiwag: working with plant relatives to heal and protect gichigami shorelines guide to support resilient coastal restoration along wisconsins lake superior shore; improve the reserves ability to support wild rice restoration by procuring the tools needed for seed harvest; hire/support a additional reserve staff; conduct an assessment of bird populations within black ASH dominated wetlands; and provide continued support for the lake superior headwaters sustainability partnership in partnership with the minnesota coastal zone management program (MN DNR) and the wisconsin coastal management program (WI DOA).