Spreading the Seeds of Estuary Health - NERRS/NSC(NERRS Science Collaborative)

Through this project, four southeast National Estuarine Research Reserves created a region-wide student-driven program for teachers that furthered understanding of estuarine habitat restoration. The project built on the successes of previous efforts that engaged students in smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) restoration. Students at 18 participating schools in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida grew and transplanted smooth cordgrass to eroded marsh and/or floating cordgrass islands near their school, learned about estuarine habitat, and built scientific and technical skills. Reserves supported teachers through each stage of the project by providing professional development opportunities, standards-based lesson plans, and an online interactive resource center. The project grew a community of practice among educators and reserves, expanded the use of salt marsh focused curriculum, increased plant growth in degraded ecosystems, and gave students the tools to be effective ecological stewards in their communities. This science transfer project was funded by NOAA through the National Estuarine Research Reserve System Science Collaborative to promote the use of science. It did not produce any new data.

Salt marshes and tidal creeks maintain healthy water, protect coastal communities from flooding and erosion, provide nursery and essential habitat for commercial and recreational fisheries, and support recreational activities. However, these ecosystems are increasingly threatened by climate change and other stressors. Restoration is one activity that can rebuild degraded salt marshes and tidal creeks and enhance their associated ecosystem services, while also engaging people in estuarine stewardship. For K-12 students, restoration programs allow them to become estuarine stewards while also teaching them necessary state science curriculum standards.

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Kenneth Rainer

Guana Tolomato Matanzas NERR, FL

kenneth.rainer@dep.state.fl.us

(904) 823-4500

Partners:

Guana Tolomato Matanzas NERR, FL

ACE Basin NERR, SC

North Carolina NERR

Inlet-Winyah Bay NERR, SC

Sapelo Island NERR, GA

South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium

The distributor does not assume liability.

None

Cite this dataset when used as a source: NOAA retains the right to analyze, synthesize and publish summaries of the NERRS/NSC data. The NERRS/NSC retains the right to be fully credited for having collected and process the data. Following academic courtesy standards, the NERR site where the data were collected should be contacted and fully acknowledged in any subsequent publications in which any part of the data are used. The data enclosed within this package/transmission are only as accurate as the quality assurance and quality control procedures that are described in the associated metadata reporting statement allow. The user bears all responsibility for its subsequent use/misuse in any further analyses or comparisons. The Federal government does not assume liability to the Recipient or third persons, nor will the Federal government reimburse or indemnify the Recipient for its liability due to any losses resulting in any way from the use of this data. Requested citation format: NOAA National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) Science Collaborative(NSC).