By Friends, For Friends

Padilla Bay Research Symposium Success

2012-02-28T10:37:00.010-05:00

In her post on Wednesday, February 8th, Kay Reinhardt mentioned the Research Symposium to take place at Padilla Bay Reserve. According to Padilla Bay Reserve Manager, Terry Stevens, it was a huge success. Following is an email update he sent out after the event.

"I want to express my appreciation and a hearty congratulations to all for a

tremendous and professional job in organizing, participating, administering
and carrying-out Wednesday's Research Symposium. It took a team effort and
it all came together perfectly. From the comments I heard from participants
there was widespread enthusiasm with the range of topics, quality of
presentations, accommodations, logistics, and (of course) lunch. We may have
started something with this event and we should discuss this opportunity in
the near future. It was certainly satisfying to see the size of the crowd
with even the overflow seats being occupied. A sincere thank-you to the PB
Foundation and Shell Oil Puget Sound Refinery for their sponsorship and
support!"

For more information on this event, leave a comment or contact Kay directly. Thanks for sending the update Kay!

Photos taken by Cathy Angel during the event.

Above - Dr. Apple, Dr. Ron Thom (Battelle Labs & our keynote
speaker), and Dr. Doug Bulthuis (PB research coordinator)

Below - Dr. Jude Apple (PB Foundation & WWU) making introductory remarks

Joyner Stepping Down as President of Laudholm Trust

2012-02-20T22:04:00.006-05:00

Diana Joyner, president of the Laudholm Trust, the fundraising partner of the Wells Reserve at Laudholm, is stepping down from her position in June.

According to Bruce Read, chair of the Trust board, in an article on the Wells Reserve at Laudholm web site:

"Four years ago, Diana stepped off of our board and into the interim president position at a critical time in the history of the Trust,” notes Read. “The economy had softened and we needed someone with distinct leadership skills at the helm. Diana did such an outstanding job, we asked her to stay aboard for a few more years. Under her leadership, the organization has not only grown, it’s thrived.”

Read the full article for more information on Diana's accomplishments.

If you had the opportunity to meet Diana, you know she is strong leader and also a friend. As she steps down from her position, she will be missed by not only the Laudholm community but also all of us at NERRA and throughout the NERRS who had the opportunity to meet and work with her.

The board's search committee is now accepting online applications. Interested individuals can learn more about the position and the application process by visiting the Wells Reserve at Laudholm website at www.wellsreserve.org. Diana will assist with the transition.

President's Budget: NERRS Program Reduced

2012-02-16T10:27:00.005-05:00

The President's budget has been released and we are disappointed to announce that the NERRS program was reduced.

Operations are at $19M
Procurement, Acquisition, Construction (PAC) was zero-funded

It appears that the President is directing the reductions to come from program operations. This means the push at the congressional level - to educate on the importance of the program - will be essential in the coming months and year ahead. NERRA will continue to work with Senators and Congressional Representatives on Appropriations Committees and will be looking for support on these efforts.

In the words of NERRA President Dave Ruple "...The budget process is just beginning! Though the starting point may not be desirable, through the legislative budget process is where WE have an opportunity to make a difference and affect the final FY13 numbers."

Clarifying of Purpose

2012-02-08T16:49:00.003-05:00

Colleagues at Guana Tolomato Matanzas Reserve,
It's great to know you are strategically planning as a well rounded team. We at Padilla Bay Foundation are committed to a retreat for re-purposing; utilizing funds we were awarded in a grant administered by the National Environmental Education Foundation in sync with Toyota Motor Sales of America ... "Every Day Grants". A small purse, but specifically for use in capacity building of the awarded non-profit. After a decade of fund raising to help grow the Padilla Bay Reserve's facilities, we are working with our Reserve Director, Terry Stevens, as well as leads from Research & Monitoring, Stewardship Coordination, Education Coordination, Coastal Training Program and Facilities Maintenance to identify areas of need as the budgets both nationally and at state-level shrink. We are embarking on a new era of support for the Reserve with a different focus. One of our achievements is in having garnered financial support to underwrite the costs of an all day Research Symposium to be held a week from today. A long overdue undertaking. We will have 100 guests here to listen to 12 presenters having done research at Padilla Bay as well as a keynote speaker. We will undoubtedly have some citizen scientists in the audience. Everyone is excited to be sharing the nuanced work being done in the bay with the community. I send along my best wishes for the GTM Reserve to reap the benefits of the foundation and volunteer group's heartfelt work on its behalf. I'll report back on our plans for a board retreat when they gel. You've inspired me all over again!

Taking a Step Back to Step Forward "Smarter"

2012-02-08T14:28:00.003-05:00

by Angie Christensen, Board Member, Friends of GTM

The GTM Research Reserve (short-speak for the Guana Tolomato Matanzas NERR in Ponte Vedra, Florida) is supported, like many NERRs, by the efforts of a Friends group. Working hand in hand with the staff and volunteers of the Reserve, the Friends organization helps with funding efforts and is dedicated to the stewardship, education and research efforts undertaken by the Reserve. This January, we gathered in a unique way, having decided to dedicate part of one weekend to a detailed discussion of our mission, goals, objectives and tactics for executing against those. In other words, under the leadership of Board president Christine Rich, we embarked on a kind of mini-retreat, aiming for a clear perspective. We took a step back. Of course it's early days yet, but in the short time that's passed, that short step back seems to have re-energized us, underpinned our relationships, helped solidify understanding of roles and responsibilities, and renewed our commitment to our work as Board members.

We began with cocktails at a favorite local restaurant on a Friday evening, an informal, relaxing event that allowed us a chance to know one another better. Because we're a diverse Board, reflective of the large geographic area encompassed by the Reserve, some of us know each other pretty well; some are newcomers and some have both history and perspective. This informal opportunity to know our colleagues better bore fruit later in the session, as some relationships and committees began to take on more definition later in our sessions. A couple of key members of the Reserve's staff were able to join us, including director Dr. Mike Shirley and Volunteer Coordinator Carly Swatek. Oh, and by the way...it was fun!

The real working session was the next day, and included the same group (Board members as well as staff). We began with some things that seem very fundamental, but of which our knowledge was a bit uneven, discussing our mission and deepening our understanding of the roles played by each "leg" of our three-legged stool-type composition, with a view to the roles played by the Friends Board and membership, the staff, including educators, research scientists, and more, and the key role played by the diverse body of volunteers we're so fortunate to have. We delved into the expectations of each of our committees, reminding ourselves of the duties and looking for ways to enhance our effectiveness. And we talked about the interaction models for the committees with each other and with the larger Board, again looking for growth and development opportunities.

It was a day of hard team work, honest conversation, and dedicated collaboration, and it was a chance to step back in unison to consider our way forward together. As a member new to the Board AND the marketing committee, with a special interest in development of social media, it provided me with unique insights and perspective, and helped me prepare for some ambitious plans for the coming year. It challenged me to think about some familiar topics through a new lens. For instance, a comment from one of the Board members, herself a college professor with a doctorate in her field, prompted me to tweet about "citizen science". I included a hash tag "#CitizenScience" and became part of a much larger discussion (many thanks, Dr. Melissa Southwell!), one I hope to see continuing as we continue to grow and mature in our journey together. It was an excellent investment of time and teamwork, positioning us for the smartest possible steps forward for our NERR and Friends board.

Lots of work awaits us in the coming year, and I'd love to keep you posted on how we're doing. Meanwhile, any others out there doing anything similar? A Board retreat? A planning session for your NERR's upcoming calendar year or longer-range 3- or 5-year plans? As always, it's impossible to overstate the opportunities for shared learning, so bring on those comments, folks!

Call for 2012 Walter B. Jones Memorial Awards due

2012-01-18T19:48:00.004-05:00

Nominations are due no later than February 15, 2012

For more information look for the link in "news" at.... http://coastalmanagement.noaa.gov/welcome.html

About the Awards

Innovation, resourcefulness, leadership and a commitment to balancing the human use of America’s coastal and ocean resources with the needs of the resources themselves - these are the hallmarks of the Walter B. Jones Memorial Awards.

The Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) of 1972 created a unique and voluntary partnership of federal and state governments to provide a balance between land and water uses and resource conservation along America’s 95,000 miles of coastlines, including the Great Lakes. In 1990, as part of the reauthorization of the CZMA, the late Congressman Walter B. Jones provided NOAA with the authority to honor the people and organizations of America for their dedication and outstanding contributions in helping the nation maintain healthy coastal and ocean resources and balance the needs of these resources with human use. At that time, Congressman Jones identified three award categories as particularly important–

Excellence in Coastal and Marine Graduate Study - recognizes graduate students whose academic study promises to contribute materially to the development of new or improved approaches to coastal or ocean management. Up to ten winners may be selected in 2012.

Coastal Steward of the Year - honors an individual who has exemplified strong, sustained leadership in finding a balance between the human uses of the coast and ocean and the needs of that environment.

Excellence in Local Government - given to local governments that have inspired positive change in the field of coastal management by developing or implementing principles embodied by the CZMA. Up to five winners may be selected in 2012.

The awards program is open to individuals, organizations, and state and local government agencies and their employees. Individuals, organizations and agencies cannot nominate themselves; they must be nominated by others. Candidates can receive an award in a category only once. For a list of previous winners, please visit http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/programs/ocrm/jones-noaa-awards.html. Federal employees and officials are not eligible for the Walter B. Jones Memorial Awards.

A Message from NERRA President - David Ruple

2011-12-19T11:42:00.001-05:00

Friends of NERRS:

As the years pass I seem to get more reflective, especially this time of year. Thinking back to the NERRS/NERRA Annual Meeting in Jacksonville, we had the opportunity to share what is happening at your Reserve and across the NERRS with our colleagues, at NOAA, the various Reserves and with our Friends organizations. There is so much exciting work going on that is supported by our Friends and volunteers. I, personally and on behalf of NERRA want to take this opportunity to thank you for your dedication and support over the past year.

As we discussed in Jacksonville, your Friends group was organized to support your local Reserve, in many cases for several years now. While we came together in October, we are now again back in our local communities, supporting our Reserve. As we look forward to the new year, please take an opportunity to think about innovative ways by which your actions can serve to support the broader System. The strength and health of the entire System and ultimately your Reserve relies on us all, and support from our local communities. Please bring those innovative thoughts to NERRA if we can be supportive and please respond to NERRA requests for assistance on the national scene as you can. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of assistance.

Please pass my appreciation along to your members.

Have a safe and wonderful Holiday Season!

Outreach for educating and embracing in our communities

2011-12-16T16:07:00.002-05:00

We were recently able to partner with a local organization called Senior College. Members of the community who have expertise and enthusiasm volunteer to teach classes to enrolled participants who are typically, but do not have to be, retired persons. In the course of other volunteer work in my town nearby called Anacortes, I was lucky to strike up a meaningful conversation with one such instructor, a former classroom science teacher. By having her come visit the Reserve, which she bashfully admitted she had yet to visit, I was able to give her a full tour, and direct her to our education coordinator to create a small curriculum for a Senior College class. In conjunction with Alex, our EC, the instructor designed an immersion day for 23 excited attendees. We made 23 new friends and I know they will be back with their friends and families.

President Signs FY12 Budget for NERRS!

2011-11-28T08:21:00.004-05:00

The FY12 budget (which is the money going to each reserve starting July 1, 2012) has been passed!

The NERRS received the NERRA requested amounts of $22.3M for operations and $1.69M for contstruction and aquisition.

We are now starting to work on funding for FY13. Congress will begin hearings early in 2012 and the President will anounce his suggested funding levels in early Febraury.

Stay tuned. . .

(thanks, Kay, for the post and support!)

Super Achievement

2011-11-22T16:51:00.003-05:00

The recent news regarding the Congressional funding level for the NERRS in 2012 is surprisingly sweet. During this incredibly difficult period, NERRA's advocacy and the visits to the 'Hill' by Reserve Managers telling their stories, has yielded a remarkable achievement. Kudos to all involved!
- Kay Reinhardt

GTM NERR's Sate of the Reserve Case Study

2011-11-08T07:00:00.000-05:00

The State of the Reserve is an annual event that began in 2010 at GTM NERR. The afternoon program highlights the past year of outstanding research, stewardship, and education at GTM NERR and is an opportunity to share our work and show our appreciation to our local communities, partners, and stakeholders.

We ask that all of our 'stake holders' aka anyone who has been influenced or cooperated with the reserve to please join us for an afternoon of presentations followed by a local food and wine reception and poster session. For more information and to RSVP please see the link below.

http://stateofthereserve2011.eventbrite.com/

Annual Meeting 2011

2011-10-25T16:06:00.001-04:00

We are learning at the AN11.

2011-10-22T19:49:00.010-04:00

Rebecca Roth, Executive Director of NERRA will be presenting on the current budget situation at the 2011 Annual Meeting. Senate appropriations for FY12 are at $22.3M and House appropriations at $15.6M. The Presidents budget recommends $22.3M. Come join us for this session and hear more about why the Reserve System needs the support of their Friends groups and Foundations!

Students Explore @ Wells Maine Reserve

2011-10-17T16:13:00.005-04:00

The Wells Maine Reserve is getting community assistance to teach 7th graders in science. Check out the full article.

2011 NERRS/NERRA Annual Meeting

2011-10-17T16:13:00.004-04:00

Check out the meeting details here.

Monday, October 24, 2011 - Friday, October 28, 2011

Sawgrass Marriott
1000 PGA Tour Boulevard
Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida 32082

The purpose of this meeting is to develop both long- and short-term plans, program strategies, and budgets for the National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS). The meeting also serves to integrate the program sectors (management, research, education, coastal training, stewardship) and provide relevant, targeted information and training. This is a “working/decision-making” meeting of interdisciplinary colleagues within the NERRS who are guided by similar mandates and funding sources. As the primary planning meeting for the year, attendance by core staff is a grant requirement for NOAA funding to all National Estuarine Research Reserves.