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A Roadmap for Addressing Marine Debris in the NERRS

A Roadmap for Addressing Marine Debris in the NERRS

Marine debris found among kelp at Tijuana River NERR. Photo credit: Kristen Goodrich

This multi-reserve knowledge transfer project elevated and articulated the NERRS’s niche in addressing marine debris through a series of workshops and the development of A Roadmap for Addressing Marine Debris in the NERRS.

About the Project

Estuaries are an important link in the chain of trash becoming marine debris, but the transport and transformation of plastic and other debris through watersheds and in estuaries have been understudied. Plastic and other anthropogenic marine debris alter aquatic ecosystems, contaminating waterways and impacting water quality and habitat resilience. In some cases, marine debris can cause blockages and exacerbate flooding conditions. Across the NERRS, marine debris is an issue of concern for reserves and their surrounding communities. Despite overwhelming interest in growing programs related to marine debris, each reserve is at a different stage of development in addressing the issues.

To address this need, this project facilitated four knowledge transfer workshops designed to promote discussion across reserves and with the greater Debris Community of Practice (DCoP). These workshops further elevated and articulated the NERRS’s niche in addressing marine debris but they also served to inspire and inform a Roadmap for Addressing Marine Debris in the NERRS, which outlines pathways and associated resources for reserve staff and DCoP members to address marine debris at reserves and beyond. Feedback from the workshops directly shaped the Roadmap to develop a national narrative, build relationships and partnerships, and share resources and opportunities.

About the Impact

  • The Roadmap provides a resource for reserves and DCoP members that supports both System-wide strategic planning on marine debris and action at individual estuaries.
  • Through participation in the workshops and development of the Roadmap, reserves are better equipped to promote understanding, behavior change, and policy action to manage and reduce marine debris in estuaries.
  • Collaboration among the core team, DCoP members, and the project advisory committee strengthened relationships and created a stronger foundation for future System-wide efforts to address marine debris.
  • Deeper knowledge exchange among the three lead reserves led to better understanding of unique reserve cultures and created opportunities to learn about local, reserve-specific marine debris efforts taking place in individual communities.