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Introduction
Estuaries, where rivers meet the sea, are among the Nation’s most biologically rich and economically important habitats. Essential functions provided by estuaries include nurseries for fish and shellfish, buffers against flooding and storm surge, filters for water quality, and recreational outlets. Estuaries also are highly vulnerable to the pressures of population growth including habitat loss and to climate change impacts such as inundation and sea level rise. The value of estuaries to our environment and society is great, as is our responsibility for their conservation and protection.
The Reserve System mission is to practice and promote the stewardship of coasts and estuaries through innovative research, education, and training using a place-based system of protected areas. As a representative system, each reserve serves as a place-based living laboratory and classroom where research methods and management approaches can be piloted and applied to issues of local, regional, and national importance.
A full PDF version of the Reserve System's 2011-2016 Strategic Plan can be accessed here.
Last Updated on: Friday, April 15, 2011
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