The national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA) is providing $162,333 in federal funding to the state of georgia through the national estuarine research reserve system (NERRS) land…

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded $162,333 to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources on October 1, 2025, under the Coastal Zone Management Estuarine Research Reserves program (CFDA 11.420) to support planning and design for modernization, renovation, and expansion of the Sapelo Island Visitors Center.

The funding will enhance the 29-year-old facility's educational, operational, and outreach capacity by improving its three core functions: operation as a combined natural history and nature center, provision of ferry ticket sales to Sapelo Island, and operation of a state-operated gift shop. The project will also create dedicated space for educational programming that connects the visitors center to the Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve's core educational functions.

The Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve operates within the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. The award obligated $190,980 and carries a period of performance through September 30, 2026. Place of performance is Atlanta, Georgia.

The national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA) is providing $162,333 in federal funding to the state of georgia through the national estuarine research reserve system (NERRS) land acquisition and construction program for fiscal year 2025 (NOAA-NOS-OCM-2025-29258). This funding will build the ability of the sapelo island national estuarine research reserve within the georgia department of natural resources to support planning and design for the modernization, renovation and expansion of the 29-year old sapelo island visitors center to enhance its educational, operational, and outreach capacity. This proposed expansion, renovation and modernization will significantly improve the functionality and effectiveness of the three core functions of the visitors center: 1) as a combined natural history/nature center; 2) as the facility where passengers buy ferry tickets to sapelo island; 3) as a state-operated resale outlet (AKA, gift shop). IT will also serve to connect the visitors center core functions to the reserves core educational functions by providing dedicated educational programming space.