In October 2014, the Water Center began working with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and partners to coordinate the National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) Science Collaborative. This past September 2015, we announced the outcome of the first year ’s competition for research and integrated assessment projects. Upon environmental compliance review and approval from NOAA, grants totaling over $3.2 million will support six projects, involving seven estuarine reserves around the country.

The Science Collaborative funds innovative, collaborative research that directly addresses priority coastal management needs. Integrated assessments review and evaluate critical science and policy information to inform decisions surrounding a particular coastal issue. This is a unique grant program that supports applied research and collaboration between researchers and users of the science that will result in highly usable products. The projects identified for funding will help answer specific questions, and develop products that meet the needs of coastal managers and policy makers.

The projects recommended to NOAA for funding will examine the effectiveness of coastal restoration designs, help state agencies identify and support appropriate shoreline management strategies, and examine the extent to which coastal wetlands store carbon. See: Project List

The 2016 call for research and integrated assessment proposals related to specific management needs will be announced in December 2016. Interested individuals should contact reserves with whom they are interested in working.

The National Estuarine Research Reserve System comprises a network of 28 reserves, totaling more than 1.3 million coastal and estuarine acres in 22 states and Puerto Rico. The system is designed to support long-term research, water-quality monitoring, education, and stewardship efforts that benefit the entire U.S. coast.

See: NERRS Science Collaborative website, National Estuarine Research Reserve System