MSI Public Lecture Series

Dr. Paul Montagna

Thursday, January 27^th, 2005 at 7:00 PM
University of Texas Marine Science Institute, Visitor Center Auditorium

The National Estuarine Research Reserve:       A Living Laboratory.

The National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) System is a network of coastal sites that operate as a partnership between the federal government and coastal states.  The goal of this program is to perform long-term research in relatively natural settings.  The program is administered through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).  There are currently 26 research reserves nationwide.  The program is non-regulatory, and no new rules will be proposed for the area.  The Mission-Aransas Estuary is nominated for the proposed Texas NERR, and is an ideal site because it is representative of estuaries in the Western Gulf of Mexico, and will be the first and only NERR site in the region.  The new program will promote research, education, and stewardship of coastal resources by fostering cooperation and partnerships amongst agencies, the public, universities, and bring new money into the State