Identifying The Best Site For A National Estuarine Research Reserve In Louisiana (LaNERR)

Last night (Feb. 15th, 2021) as snow lay on the ground from Lake Charles northwards, the LMNA were pleased to host the LaNERR Roadshow on Zoom. An illustrated talk introducing the Louisiana Master Naturalist organization to the process of identifying a National Estuarine Research Reserve in Louisiana (LaNERR).

Check out the video recording on LMNA Channel

The introduction was made by Dr. Bob Thomas, Professor of Environmental Communication at Loyola University, New Orleans and founder of LMNA.

The LaNERR Designation Leadership Team, Dr. Robert Twilley, of LA SeaGrant and Kristin Ransom of NOAA, kindly explained

• what the NERR System is,
• how a NERR site in our coastal zone would benefit Louisiana,
• and the process of identifying a site that would meet the criteria for a NERR.

The National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) System was established through the Coastal Zone Management Act and represents a network of 29 coastal sites covering over 1.3 million acres of estuaries across the nation. Louisiana is the last state with an oceanic coast to designate such a protected area and yet has a coastline that is exemplary in having rich estuarine ecosystems. A new estuarine research reserve in Louisiana would represent a partnership program with NOAA focused on promoting stewardship, research, training, and education at a particular site in our coastal zone.

For more information see https://www.laseagrant.org/deltanerr/

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