Strategic Plan 2005 – 2010 For thousands of years, coastal and estuarine environments have provided people with food, safe harbors, transportation access, flood control, and a place to play and relax. The pressures on the nation’s coast are enormous and the impacts on economies and ecosystems are becoming increasingly evident. Severe storms, climate change, pollution, habitat alteration and rapid population growth threaten the ecological functions that have supported coastal communities throughout history. As a network of 27 protected areas established for long-term research, education and stewardship, the National Estuarine Research Reserve System has a unique role to play in keeping coastal ecosystems healthy and productive.

The reserve system is a partnership program between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and coastal states that has protected more than 1.3 million acres of coastal and estuarine habitat since the program was established by the Coastal Zone Management Act in 1972. NOAA provides funding, national guidance and technical assistance. Each reserve is managed on a daily basis by a lead state agency, non-profit organization or university with input from local partners. Through careful stewardship, innovative science and education, and relevant training programs, the reserves encourage careful management and protection of local estuarine and coastal resources.

The Coastal Zone Management Act created the reserve system to protect estuarine areas, provide educational opportunities, promote and conduct estuarine research and monitoring, and transfer relevant information to coastal managers. For the next five years, core reserve programs will focus on four priority topics: impacts of land use and population growth; habitat loss and alteration; water quality degradation; and changes in biological communities. The National Estuarine Research Reserve System’s 2005-2010 Strategic Plan articulates how the strengths of the reserve system will be applied to address the major challenges of coastal management.

A Local Approach to National Priorities

Land use and population growth, water quality degradation, habitat loss and alteration, and changes in biological communities are not the only topics that reserves work on, but these four have risen to the top as deserving of adequate and strategic investment for the national system. These four topics are high priority science and training needs for coastal managers. Reserve scientists, educators and land managers have identified these topics as locally and nationally important and appropriate to the mission of the National Estuarine Research Reserve System. Increased understanding about these topics will improve the reserve system’s ability to protect and restore coastal watersheds and estuaries and empower individuals to make informed decisions. The nation’s coasts and estuaries need to be managed, understood and appreciated at multiple scales. Through a network of locally oriented programs around the country, the reserve system provides insight into common information and management needs as well as data for use by local, regional and federal scientists and decision makers. Working at both the site level and as a national system, reserves have a greater impact than could be achieved through community efforts alone.

The goals, objectives and strategies outlined in this strategic plan will guide and support the National Estuarine Research Reserve System in its nation-wide efforts to improve coastal management, advance estuarine research, and educate current and future generations of coastal stewards.

Vision Healthy estuaries and watersheds where coastal communities and ecosystems thrive.

NERRS Mission – Our Core Purpose To practice and promote coastal and estuarine stewardship through innovative research and education, using a system of protected areas.

Priority Coastal Management Issues Land Use and Population Growth Habitat Loss and Alteration Water Quality Degradation Changes in Biological Communities

Guiding Principles Strong partnerships between NOAA, state agencies and universities, and other local partners are critical to the success of the reserve system. The reserve system integrates science, education and stewardship on relevant topics to maximize the benefits to coastal management. Reserves serve as a catalyst and a focal point for demonstrating and facilitating objective problem solving and best management practices. Reserves engage local communities and citizens to improve stewardship of coastal areas. Reserves implement an ecosystem-based management approach.

Strategic Goals 2005-2010

GOAL 1: Strengthen the protection and management of representative estuarine ecosystems to advance estuarine conservation, research and education.

Objectives Biogeographically and typologically representative estuarine ecosystems are protected through the designation of new reserves. Biological, chemical, physical, and community conditions of reserves are characterized and monitored to describe reference conditions and to quantify change. Reserve ecosystems are conserved through land acquisition, natural resource management and restoration.

GOAL 2: Increase the use of reserve science and sites to address priority coastal management issues.

Objectives Scientists conduct estuarine research at reserves that is relevant to coastal management needs. Scientists have access to NERRS datasets, science products and results. The scientific community uses data, tools and techniques generated at the NERRS.

GOAL 3: Enhance people’s ability and willingness to make informed decisions and take responsible actions that affect coastal communities and ecosystems.

Objectives People are aware of the ecological, economic, historical, and cultural importance of estuarine resources. People understand how human choices and natural disturbances impact social, economic, and estuarine ecological systems. People apply science-based information when making decisions that could impact coastal and estuarine resources.