[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]




I    NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH

   I                ~~RESERVE SYSTEM



                      SITE CATALOGUE
                               1990 EDITION




    I~~~~~sure
    ~~~~~~~~~~. hr ivrmethesa






   I~~~~~~..DPRMN FCMEC

   ~~~~~~~~~~aionlOencadAmshrcAmnsrto





          QH  ~~~~~  National Oceani an t shenvceAmnsrto
      91.75          Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management
      .UJ6            Marine and Estuarine Management Division
      N27                     Washington, D.C.
           IESEAMCH









                                          Table of Contents



      MNA.P OF THE NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE SYSTEM ....................i

      GULF/CARIBBEAN REGION

         Aplchclp(lrdal...............................................................................

         JoboBy(uetsic)...........................................................................3..

         RokrRBy(loiao............................................................................

         WekWay(lbaae.............................................................................

      PACIFIC REGION

         ElhrnSouhlCcfohao........................g....................i.....................)........

         PailaByPWshnto)...........a............y.........................n................) . . . . . . . .       .      .      1

         SotSSogo(rgn).......................................................................1.....3


         TijuaVaneaHaai)..................r................................a...........................1


      ATLANTIC/GREAT LAKES REGION




         jGreat Bay (NewHampshire)..                                                         .................. 01 .. C.Q~MME~E .N...... 21

         Hudson River (New York) ..................... ...IU...........                                                         23
                                                                 CflALESIN ,se 24Q52413
         Narragansett Bay (RhodelIsland) ...........................................................25

         NotNaolno.........................................................................2........2

         OlOomnCredOho .........................................................................2

,:)SaSapsadeGori)l.........................nd......................rg. . . . . . . . . . . . .............1

         WauotBa Masahset)q..................a...............s.......................................3

         WA(an)  .................................M................................................3














 The National Estuarine Research

                  Reserve System



Section 315 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, 16 U.S.C.
1461, establishes the National Estuarine Research Reserve System
(formerly known as the National Estuarine Sanctuary Program) to pro-
vide financial assistance awards on a fifty-fifty matching basis to states
to acquire, develop and operate estuarine areas as natural field
laboratories. These areas are used primarily for long-term scientific
and educational programs that provide information essential to coas-
tal management decisionmaking.

The System is administered by the Marine and Estuarine Manage-
ment Division (MEMD), National Ocean Service, within the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Com-
merce. Eighteen National Estuarine Research Reserves, protecting
approximately 267,000 acres of estuarine lands and waters, have been
established in the System. Four additional sites are being considered
for inclusion in the System. These sites are located in Delaware, New
York, South Carolina and Virginia.The designated Reserves are
described in this catalogue. Detailed information concerning the in-
dividual sites can be obtained from the sites or from the MEMD at
(202) 673-5126 or by writing to MEMD at 1825 Connecticut Avenue,
N.W., Suite 714, Washington, DC 20235.

Highlights of recent System and individual Reserve activities are sum-
marized in Status Reports issued by the MEMD on a periodic basis.
To be added to the mailing list for Status Reports, contact the MEMD.















            The National Estuarine Research


                               Reserve System












    Fadilla Bay                                       Old Woman creeï¿½  klla


                                                                                         Padrla  Bay 
Souh Sloiugh                                                                           Bay

                                                                                       .arraganett BaySI
                                                                                     Hudso. River

                                                                                       aeake Bay
Elkhorn Slough
                                                                                    North Carolina

Tijuana River                                                                                  I

                                                                                ':pelo Island



                   '"6 vY~aJ2232zaValley, HI
                                                                Apalbcola River


                                                                                     Jobos Be, PR













                     Marine and Estuarine Management Division
                 Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management
                                National Ocean Service
                              1825 Connecticut Ave., NW
                                Washington, DC  20235

                                                                                              ii



I

I                                  GULF/CARIBBEAN REGIO

         I                                Apalachicola

                                       Jobos Bay

                                      Rookery Bay

                                      Weeks Bay
I

I

I











 I                                       -




 I







           APALACHICOLA NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE

                                                                                        Designated in 1979
LOCATION: The Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve is located in northwest Fiorida.-
approximately QO miles southwest of Tallahassee.

SITE DESCRIPTION: The Reserve encompasses 193,758 acres of land and water, making it the largest of the
18 existing National Estuarine Research Reserves. Included in the Reserve are two barrier islands and a
portion of a third, portions of the Apalachicola River and adjoining uplands, and Apalachicola Bay.

The Reserve includes a 12,358 acre National Wildlife Refuge on St. Vincent Island, the 2,300 acre Cape St.
George State Reserve, and 1,883 acre State Park on the eastern tip of St. George Island. The Reserve
encompasses a variety of habitats: fresh and salt water marshes, swamp forests, barrier sand beaches, upland
forests, and the open waters of the bay and river.

SIGNIFICANT PLANT AND ANIMAL SPECIES: The Reserve is home to over 1,300 species of plants, 36 of
which are threatened or endangered, including the Ogeechee Tupelo tree which is found on St. Vincent's
Island at the western end of the Reserve. Atlantic sturgeon, bluestripe shiner, shoal and suwanee bass are
among the 116 species of fish found within the Reserve. The Reserve is one of the more important bird habitats
in the southeastern United States. The species list includes 283 species with 25 designated as threatened,
endangered, or species of special concern. Mammals of threatened or endangered designation include the
Florida panther, black bear, Florida and Southeastern weasel, Florida and southern mink, and several species of
bats, including the Indiana and Gray bat.

ON-SITE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION PROGRAMS: On-site programs include
publications, audio-visual presentations and library, guest speaker programs, college classes, teacher education,
citizen support organization activities, a reprint library, public seminars, and cultural events.

OFF-SITE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION PROGRAMS: Among the off-site programs,
the Reserve offers classroom presentations, audio-visual presentations, teacher education, and field trips. The
7th-12th grade program called Project Estuary, originally developed by the Reserve, is conducted by the school
systems in the five-county region bordering the Reserve.

RESEARCH PROGRAM: Three main in-house projects are: Red fish population dynamics, colonial nesting
shorebirds--Least Tern and Black Skimmer--data collecting, and Molluscan inventory.

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM: Volunteers are recruited and trained to fulfill specific tasks identified by the
Reserve. The volunteer program is coordinated with activities of the citizen support organizations.

FACILITIES: The Reserve headquarters is located near Scipio Creek on 7th Street in the city of Apalachicola.
It includes displays, a research laboratory and a reference library. Overnight stays within the Reserve at the
Marshall House in the Cape St. George State Reserve are available for education and research groups.

                            FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:

                             Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve
                                               261 7th Street
                                        Apalachicola, Florida 32320
                                              (904) 653-8063







                            jMap I - Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve











                                                                          LEGEND
                                 A- ~~~~~~~~~~~Rosary* Area









              I~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~









                                                      PAL~~~~~~~~~~AL                Sc






~~~~~INDA
              IA e
                   I
                                Ie 27.








             JOBOS BAY NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE

                                                                                      Designated in 1981

LOCATION: The Jobos Bay Reserve is located on the southern coastal plain of the island of Puerto Rico. The
main access road to the Reserve is State Highway 3.

SITE DESCRIPTION: The Reserve covers nearly 2,800 acres. For management purposes the Reserve has
been divided into three units: Mar Negro, Cayos Caribes, Seagrass Beds/ Punta Colchones.

Mar Negro is characterized by mangrove fringe which protects the shoreline and lagoons and channels. Cavos
Caribes is a chain of 17 tear-shaped islets. This area is of particluar interest because of its proximity and
interaction with seagrass beds, mangroves, and coral reef. North of the Reserve are commercial sugarcane
farms. To the east and west of the Reserve is the Aguirre State Forest.

SIGNIFICANT PLANT AND ANIMAL SPECIES: Three hundred West Indian Manatees are known to forage
within the Cayos Caribes area of the Reserve. This is thought to be the second largest population of manatees
in Puerto Rico. Sea turtles are often found in the seagrass beds in Jobos Bay.

ON-SITE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION PROGRAMS: Field trips of the Reserve are
offered to educational institutions and environmental or public interest groups. A series of curriculum
materials are available to teachers on the various estuarine habitats occuring in the Reserve.

OFF-SITE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION PROGRAMS: The Reserve has a weekly radio
program on station WHOY (1210 AM) that reaches the Guayama and Salinas communities. The Reserve also
offers an out-reach program to schools, communities, and organizations throughout Puerto Rico that provides a
general introduction to estuarine systems with particular emphasis on the resources of Jobos Bay.

FACILITIES: The Reserve currently contains an administrative office and a nature-viewing boardwalk.
Development of a research and educational facility is in the design phase, and construction is expected to begin
in 1990.

                             FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:

                              Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
                                           Post Office Box 1170
                                       Guayama, Puerto Rico 00655
                                              (809) 864-0105






















                                                    3







IMap  2 - Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve







                       r






                                   I  e,~ 
















                                   ~~~~~~AV*g 15.. .=ge um"'  JOBOS BAY NATIONAL   F
                                       rn~~vw ,~wr        ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE L




                                                                 PUERTOMW  ORICO JOHN
                                                     HAITI~~~~~~~~~~~~~e
                                                                            I.AU







            ROOKERY BAY NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE

                                                                                      Designated in 1978

LOCATION: The Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is located on the Gulf coast of Florida
approximately 150 miles south of the Tampa-St. Petersburg metropolitan area and 5 miles south of the city of
Naples.

SITE DESCRIPTION: Rookery Bay is one of the few remaining pristine manarove estuaries in North
America. The Reserve encompasses approximately 9,400 acres of land and water surrounding Rookery Bay
and Henderson Creek. Estuarine habitats within the Reserve include mangrove forests, marshes, sea grasses
and open water. The Reserve's uplands are composed of pine woodlands, seasonal wetlands and scrub oak
habitat.

SIGNIFICANT PLANT AND ANIMAL SPECIES: The estuarine waters are rich in recreationally and
commercially important fish and shellfish. In addition, approximately 150 species of birds have been recorded
at the site. Protected species found in the Reserve include the West Indian manatee, Florida panther, bald
eagle, gopher tortoise and indigo snake. The Reserve's extensive mangrove forests and coastal hardwood
hammocks contain unique and significant plant assemblages.

ON-SITE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION PROGRAMS: The Reserve offers field trips and
classroom instruction and laboratory programs for high schools, colleges and the public. Special training
workshops are held periodically for teachers and environmental professionals. In addition, the Briggs Nature
Center, operated by The Conservancy, Inc., offers a variety of programs including canoe trips and boardwalk
tours.

OFF-SITE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION PROGRAMS: Efforts focus on adult education
courses, interpretive exhibits at community events and slide presentations. Publications include a newsletter.
Coastal Zone Management bulletin, and a field guide.

RESEARCH PROGRA.M: Research currently underway includes the study of wading birds, habitat
preferences of fishes and invertebrates, primary and secondary productivity in mangrove ecosystems and -tone
crab biology. Staff are collecting data to analyze the fish populations in the Reserve.

MONITORING PROGRAM:  Long-term programs exist for monitoring water quality, compiling a bird census,
and recording tide and meteorological conditions. The Reserve also has a geographic information system and
remote sensing program.

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM: The Friends of Rookery Bay, Inc., supports research and education through
fundraising and volunteer efforts. Projects include sponsoring gopher tortoise research, regional science fairs,
manatee awareness and special events.

FACILITIES: The Reserve headquarters includes a research laboratory, classroom, office space and small
library. The Reserve has six boats used for-research, education and law enforcement activities. Primitive nature
trails through mangrove and upland habitats are used in education programs. The Briggs Nature Center
operates within the Reserve and has a boardwalk, classroom, and exhibit area.

                            FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:

                            Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
                                          10 Shell Island Road
                                         Naples, Florida 33942
                                             (813) 775-8845





                                                   5I





j             ~~~~~~Map 3 - Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve








     ~~~~~~~~~~~~~IO

~~~~~~~~~ I                                      ONNN4
I~~~~~~~ 
~~~~~~~MEXIC 
             I~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~SADRA

I~~~~~~~LS








             WEEKS BAY NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE

                                                                                       Designated in 1986

LOCATION: The Weeks Bav National Estuarine Research Reserve is located along the eastern shore of
Mobile Bay in Baldwin County, Alabama, 30 miles southeast of the City of Mobile.

SITE DESCRIPTION: The Reserve encompasses 3,028 acres of land and water in and around Weeks Bay.
Weeks Bay is a small estuarine embayment comprised of open, shallow waters and forested wetlands. The
forested wetlands are known as moist pine forest. This area forms an extensive strip between floodplain
swamps and upland pine-oak forest, and is diverse and rich in species.

SIGNIFICANT PLANT AND ANIMAL SPECIES: The endangered Alabama shovelnose sturgeon is found in
Weeks Bay. There are three endangered snakes found in the Reserve: the Eastern indigo snake, the Black pine
snake, and the Florida pine snake. The endangered Florida black bear is also found there. Birds found within
the Reserve include the brown pelican, bald eagle, osprey, peregrine falcon, snowy plover, and red-cockaded
woodpecker.

ON-SITE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION PROGRAMS: Guided walks on a nature trail are
conducted including identification of plant and animal life and discussions of different habitats encountered
such as upland forest, marsh and open water areas. Nature trails are equipped with written guide and plant
labels for self-guided walks. Seining is performed in the shallow areas of the Bay and species identification
follovs. Educational brochures, "Reptiles and Amphibians of Weeks Bay," and "Mammals and Birds of Weeks
Bay," are available at the Reserve.

OFF-SITE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION PROGRAMS: The Reserve offers presentations
to teachers, school groups, and the general public. "Estuarine Habitats and Values" is a slide program dealing
with various estuarine-based habitats and economic, cultural, aesthetic and environmental values. "Touch Lab"
targets kindergartners through 6th graders. This project consists of preserved samples of species found in and
around Weeks Bay with discussion of life history and hands-on time.

FACILITIES: Public faci'ities at the Reserve include a nature trail, shore-side observation dc -k. and a raised
catwalk over a wetlands habitat. Establishment of a permanent on-site research and education center is
planned for 1990.
                             FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:

                              Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
                            Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
                                        Marine Resources Division
                                         10936-B U.S. Highway 98
                                           Fairhope, AL 36532
                                              (205) 928-9792









      Map 4 Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve



                                                                      ...........



  .......... ....................
                                                           ... ........... .. -.1 .......-
     ... ... ........
                                                                        ............
                                                            .... .... ... ...... ... . ..........
               TN .............
                                ............. ... .... ....... ...
                            ........................ I ..............
    ...... ......................... ...........
                            ................... .. ....
   . . . . . . . . . . ................... . ..........
 ... ... ...... .................
 . . . ........... .................... ...........
                        GA ............ IL I... ........
                AL ................... ......
                                                                ......... ...........
                                                             ........... .... .....
                                                              .............
   .. ..... ... . .. ............. ........
     ...... ...................
                                                              .............
                                                             ..................
                                                               ............... r.,-X  X
                                                                  ...... .... ...........
                                                                         ... .......
                                                                   .. .................I........
 ........... ...............
                                                               ..................-...
                                                               ....................................
... ...... ... ............. .........
                                                                      ... ...... . .....
                                                             ..... ......... .....................
                                                                 ...............
                                                          ............ ..............
........... ..... ..........................
.......... . ..............
                                                        .. . ........ ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
                                                          . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 .......... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  ..... .................... .................
........... .....................
 ...............                                                 --.in itiativ e .......... ... ... ......... .........
                                                            .........................
                                                                   ..........
                                                            ..............................
                                                              ....................... ...........
               ..... ...... ...................
     ................. ............ ............
                                                                ..... ........
   ..... .......................
........... ..........................
... .... .. . .......................
... ....... ........
........... . . ....... ......
    ... ......................... ...........
                                                             .. ........
                                                            ....... ...........
                                                            .......................................................... ..............
                                                            ..............................-
                                                             ............................ ..................
                                                              ....................................
                                                                 ...............................
.......... .....................
                                                                     ............ ..........
                                                                     ........... .........
                                                                          ..... ......
                                                                       .......................
                                            2 ..... ..........
                                                                        ...... .........
                                                                           ........ ..

                                                                        . ..... .........


             ..... . ... ......
              .... .... ......
 .............. ........... ................. ......
... ....... .. ...
                                                ................. .......
                                                ......................................
  ..... . .. ................................
                                                   .........................
                                                 ..................... .........
                                                .......................
... ....... ...... .................... .
.......... ..................
............ .....
.. ....... ..................................... .... ..................
                                                                        ................
                                           ................... .. .......
                                           ................................... .. --- ... ..... ........
                                           ............................................ ...... ..................
                                           .... ........ ...
                                             ... ...........
                                                                       ......................
                                                                       ..............
            ............. ................... ...................
            ........... . .................
                                           .................. 1 km                                                                                                                      ...............
                                              ............ ..................
               .... ...................... .......
            .. ...... ..................... ...
                                                   ........ ....... ................ ...........
                                          ..................                                                                                                                                                                                   %
                                 3
                                                           .. ... .....

                                           Legend for map of Weeks Say, Alabama

                                               Contour lines Brackish rnarsh
                          3                                                                                                                  (rraters)                                                                           99
    Son Secour Bay p4das Ea 'ridw flaw
                                               map CUMM












                                      8




I
I


                                 PACIFIC REGION
I
                                   Elkhorn Slough
I
                                    Padilla Bay

                                    I South Slough

                                    Tijuana River

                                     Waimanu



         I
I

I

I

I
          I C


I                                                           I

I

I

I








        ELKHORN SLOUGH NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE

                                                                                         Designated in 1980

LOCATION: The Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve is located on the central California
coast roughlv halfwav between the cities of Santa Cruz and Monterey. The Rescrve is managed by the
California Department of Fish and Game.

SITE DESCRIPTION: The Reserve encompasses 1,330 acres of wetland and upland habitat. Elkhorn Slough
is the second largest salt marsh in California. The main channel of the slough is more than seven miles long with
over 3000 acres of mudflat and tidal channels. Surrounding habitats include coastal dunes. grasslands. oak
woodlands, freshwater ponds and maritime chaparral. Hundreds of species of invertebrates, fishes, and birds
are found at the Reserve. The channels and tidal creeks are nursery grounds for the young of many species of
fish. It is also a critical stopover on the Pacific flyway. Resident marine mammals include harbor seals, sea
lions, and sea otters.

SIGNIFICANT PLANT AND ANIMAL SPECIES: Pickleweed is the dominant vascular plant in the salt marsh
that flanks hundreds of acres of mudflat and channel. Three types of woodlands are found in the Reserve: the
oak woodland, Monterey pine, and eucalyptus.

The Elkhorn Slough area supports several species of fauna that are endangered. These include: California
brown pelican, California least tern, Santa Cruz long-toed salamander, American peregrine falcon and
California clapper rail.

ON-SITE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION PROGRAMS: The Reserve conducts teacher
training progrms to prepare teacher's to lead field trips to the site. The Reserve also sponsors specialized
workshops for educators wanting more in-depth training in estuarine science. Regularly scheduled interpretive
walks are conducted by volunteer docents and staff for school groups as well as the public. Schedules of special
events, activities, and public lectures are announced. Brochures and fliers on various subjects are published
and distributed. The area is also designated a California Wildlands site under a new program dedicated to
education and interpretation instituted by the California Department of Fish and Game.

OFF-SITE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION PROGRAMS: Off-site activites include
sponsorship of major public symposia and conferences on the 'State of the Bay," participation in local fairs and
events with staffed booths, lectures to local service clubs, libraries, and other organizations. Radio and
television programs have highlighted Reserve programs and purposes. Reserve staff has sponsored and judged
school science fairs and participated in several Symposia for educators, focusing on teaching environmental and
scientific issues. The non-profit Elkhorn Slough Foundation helps support research and education both on-
and off-site.

RESEARCH PROGRAM: Research includes work funded by NOAA as well as graduate research carried out
by students from the Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, UCSC Long Marine Laboratory, and Stanford's
Hopkins Marine Station. Reserch interests have ranged from studies on fish populations to work on erosion
and sedimentation in the slough watershed.

MONITORING PROGRAM: Monitoring programs are performed by several different groups. State Mussel
Watch monitors compounds in mussel tissue from Mtilus edulis collected from the Reserve and throughout the
watershed. A water monitoring project has been established on the Reserve and utilizes volunteers in the data
collection process. A National Weather Service weather station has been established on site and complements
the station maintained by the Moss Landing Marine Laboratories nearby. Aerial photographs of the entire
slough area are taken yearly. Every five to seven years, high resolution infrared aerial photographs are taken.

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM:  Currently, nearly 100 people volunteer their time on the Reserve and around the
slough. Volunteers participate in a 7-week training program in the natural and cultural history of the slough
 and the logistics of the program. Volunteers provide interpretive services on-site, help in staffing the visitor


                                                      9







center, operate the Reserve bookstore, assist with research projects, maintain trails, assist in bookkeeping
chores, sponsor special projects, assist in designing and maintaining exhibits, serve as members of the Reserve
Advisory Committee and as members of the Board of Directors of the non-profit organization  rstablished to
protect the slough, the Elkhorn Slough Foundation.

FACILITIES: Public facilities at the Reserve include a Visitors Center containing exhibits, a libraryv. and a
bookstore.  Self-guided hiking trails are also open to the public. On-site research facilities include a small
laboratory and weather station. Expansion of this facility is planned for 1990.

                             FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:

                            Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
                                             1700 Elkhorn Road
                                           Watsonville, CA 95076
                                               (408) 728-2822


               Map 5- Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve




                                        Watsonville

        Sunset
       Stale Beach                                    2




             Palm Beach IH                /                                            i '"n


                                    f --j    IC LElkhorn Slough Preserve
                                                      Kirby Park      r      \Royal Oak Park
           Zmudowski State Beach  e 

                                          ess Landing
                                 >MO   ssR   breanding J         Elkhom Slough   \      _
                                                             National Estuarine
              Moss Landing State Beach                          Research Reserve

                  Moss Landing Harbor  .
                                                                        Manzanita
                      Salinas River                             eivd.    Regional Park
                      State Beach

                                                                                     [   OR   |  r |            W
                                            Castroville                        WYD


                                                                                                                  co


                Salinas River    * .      ...









                                                     10







             PADILLA BAY NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE

                                                                                       Designated in 1980

LOCATION: The Padilla Bav National Estuarine Research Reserve, located in Skagit Countyv, is 50 miles north
of Seattle and 6 miles east of Anacortes, Washington.

SITE DESCRIPTION: Of Padilla Bay's more than 11,600 acres, the Reserve contains approximately 2.500
which include eelgrass meadows, subtidal sand and mud, plus 64 acres of upland grassland and forest.

SIGNFICANT PLANT AND ANIMAL SPECIES: Padilla Bay contains the largest contiguous seagrass meadow
in the Pacific Northwest and is a nursery area for several species of flatfish, salmon, and Dungeness crab.
Herring and baitfish use Padilla Bay as a spawning and nursery area. Resident harbor seals haul out and pup at
the Reserve. Padilla Bay's mud and sand are home to polycheate worms, and hardshell and softshell clams.
The Reserve is an important feeding and resting area for black brant and other migratory bird species.

ON-SITE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION PROGRAMS: School programs and curriculum
for pre-kindergarten through the 8th grade have been instituted. Youth programs and general audience
workshops and classes (some for college credit) are offered on a regular basis. The Interpretive Center houses
exhibits and saltwater aquaria. There are approximately 3 miles of interpretive trails.

OFF-SITE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION PROGRAMS: Staff speak at the request of
regional groups. A portable display describing education and research is exhibited at conferences and
workshops.

RESEARCH PROGRAM: Staff from several universities, state government departments, and Reserve staff
have focused research on the seagrasses, mudflats, crabs, juvenile fish and food organisms of young fish. Rates
of production have beer measured and several important controlling factors and trophic links identified.

MONITORING PROGRAM: The monitoring program requires an initial characterization of the estuarv and
has begun with the identification of the important plant and animal communities. It is continuing with a
characterization of hydrocarbons in the Reserve.

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM: Volunteers assist with education programs, receptions, and special projects.
Applications are available on-site or by request.

FACILITIES: The Breazeale-Padilla Bay Interpretive Center is the Reserve's headquarters. The Center
contains displays, aquaria, a theater, "hands-on" room, classroom, and a laboratory. Two additional buildings
provide research facilities which include a field laboratory, and overnight research quarters. A small boat is
available for research use on a limited basis. Upland areas include interpretive trails with direct estuary access.

                             FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:

                             Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
                                        1043 Bayview-Edison Road
                                      Mt. Vernon, Washington 98273
                                              (206) 428-1558






             Map 6 Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve












                                                    IAUALI~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  -o PAMLL


  I~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~TT MA ï¿½X  o  U
I~~~~~~~~~~~%

 I~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ESV













                                                                   WA






  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~12







           SOUTH SLOUGH NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE

                                                                                         Designated in 1974

LOCATION: The South Slough is the southernmost inlet of the Coos Estuary on the Southern Oregon Coast.
The Reserve is located roughly 2 miles east of Cape Arago and about 3 miles southwest of the city of Coos Bay,
Oregon.

SITE DESCRIPTION: South Slough is one of 11 shallow tidal inlets connected to the Coos Estuary. The 4.500
acre administrative boundary encompasses approximately 25 percent of the South Slough drainage basin. It
includes a variety of upland and wetland habitats including coniferous forest, fresh and salt water marshes--tide
flats, eelgrass beds and open water/sub-tidal habitats.

SIGNIFICANT PLANT AND ANIMAL SPECIES: The South Slough basin is over 80 percent forested. Plant
and animal species are typical of northwest coastal forests. The Port Orford Cedar is a species with a limited
range that was historically abundant in the drainage. The species is rapidly declining as a result of a soil-born
fungal disease introduced by the nursery industry. Dominant tree species include Hemlock, Sitka Spruce,
Douglas Fir, and Red Alder. Shrub thickets and understory vegetation include huckleberry, salmonberry, salal
and rhododendron. The Reserve supports a diverse assemblage of vertebrates. Over 30 fish species frequent
the tidewater areas. Over 100 species of birds including nesting Bald Eagles, Great Blue Herons and dozens of
species of mammals including elk, bear, beaver, otters, mountain lions and bobcats. Several hundred species of
invertebrates have been identified in the estuary. Spionid worms and burrowing shrimp are most abundant.
Over 40 species of introduced marine organisms have been identified. Japanese oysters are cultivated in the
Reserve. The introduced eelgrass, Zostra japonica, is rapidly colonizing the Reserve. High salinity salt marshes
predominate as most of the low salinity marshes have been diked by historic agriculture practices. The Reserve
plans to restore tidal influence to these habitats.

ON-SITE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION PROGRAMS: On-site education programs
include formal schooi programs for grades four through twelve. Other curricula are customed-designed for
preschool through third grades and college classes. Canoe trips, guided trail walks, and special workshops are
offered throughout the summer.

OFF-SITE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION PROGRAMS: Off-site projects include
programs for day-care centers, schools, and libraries. Educational programs are presented to state service
clubs and groups. Interpretive programs include assistance to coastal cities in habitat projects as well as
planning for interpretive centers and waterfront developments. Waterfront interpretive signage has been
designed for coastal cities to use on estuarine docks and waterfront areas.

RESEARCH PROGRAM: The goal of the research program is to initiate and support research initiatives
designed to answer management-related questions for the Reserve and the coastal zone. Researchers from
resource agencies and academic institutions are encouraged to collaborate with the staff of the South Slough
Reserve.

MONITORING PROGRAM: The Reserve collects and maintains summary data describing basic physical
environmental features of the area. Tidal data are available since the early 1970's. Solar radiation (total global)
has been monitored since 1987. Data sets for meteorological and some hydrographic parameters are also
available.

 VOLUNTEER PROGRAM: This program comprises several components. Volunteers assist schools on
day-long visits to the Reserve. Prison and youth agencies supply maintenance work crews throughout the year.
A non-profit support group, Friends of South Slough Reserve, Inc., supports many activities at the Reserve.
The main goal of the 'Friends" is to improve public education about estuaries.

FACILITIES: The Reserve headquarters houses exhibits related to estuaries, a photo gallery, an auditorium,
offices, and a small book sale area. Over 5 miles of interpretive trails wind through the western portion of the


                                                      13







  Reserve. The trail system includes a small outdoor theater, several information kiosks, and a two-level deck
  overlooking a salt marsh. Housing for 4 visiting scientists or interns is available. Two unoccupied residential
  structures and several storage sheds are also on the site.

                              FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:

                              South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
                                            Post Office Box 5417
                                         Charleston, Oregon 97420
                                               (503) 888-5558


                    Map  7 - South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve










                                       &VIC .          64~4 ro





I~~~~












                                     IM1L4.,~hAY~Z;





                                                                                   OR




                                                                        ':I*  'CA NV









                                                     14







           TIJUANA RIVER NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE

                                                                                         Designated in 1982

LOCATION: The Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve is the southernmost estuary on the west
coast of the United States. The Reserve is immediately north of the Mexico border in San Diego County,
California.

SITE DESCRIPTION: The Tijuana River drains 1,735 square miles of mountain ranges and lowlands to the
east in southern California and northern Baja California in Mexico. In fact, 73 percent of the River's watershed
lies in Mexico. The Reserve itself contains 2,513 acres of tidally flushed wetlands, riparian, and upland habitats
and agricultural lands at the coastal end of the river. Estuarine habitats include open-water channels, beaches.
barrier dunes, mudflats, and salt marshes. The Reserve's uplands encompass a variety of riparian habitats and
agricultural lands. Together, the lower estuary and upland areas support a diversity of invertebrates, fishes and
birds.

SIGNIFICANT PLANT AND ANIMAL SPECIES: Significant populations of endangered and proposed
endangered species found at the Reserve include: California brown pelican, peregrine falcon, salt marsh bird's
beak, wandering skipper, Belkin's dune fly, globose dune beetle, Belding's Savannah sparrow, light-footed
clapper rail, and California least tern. Two hundred forty-six species of fish are present in Reserve waters.

ON-SITE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION PROGRAM: Reserve school programs are
structured around the M.A.R.S.H. (Marsh Awareness with Resources of Slough Habitats) Project curriculum
developed for 5th and 6th grade students. During the fall and spring, training workshops using the materials in
the field are offered to teachers and youth leaders throughout San Diego County. In conjunction with the
Reserve, the local YMCA Camp Surf offers an internship program with interns conducting elementary school
tours of the estuary. A high school level curriculum is currently being developed through a San Diego County
marine science education grant. Public nature walks are conducted on the first and second Saturday of every
month from 9 a.m. to II a.m. The Reserve offers 4 miles of foot paths as well as access to 2.2 miles of beach.

OFF-SITE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION PROGRAMS: Slide shows relative to the
Reserve and its concerr'5 are presented upon request to environmental groups, schools, community
organizations, and other interested groups.

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM:  Twenty-five volunteers perform restoration work on the Reserve.

RESEARCH PROGRAM: Research is conducted in a broad range of habitats including dunes, beach, salt
marsh, mudflat, salt pannes, coastal sage scrub, riverine and brackish marsh, as well as at the Pacific Estuarine
Research Laboratory (PERL). Research has focused on the effects of wastewater discharges and watershed
management practices on the estuarine environmenf, the development of estuarine and riparian habitat
enhancement techniques, and the assessment of the nature of artificial wetlands as a mitigation measure in the
region.

MONITORING PROGRAM: Monitoring programs have been established to track the influence of
hydrological disturbances on the Reserve.

FACILITIES: PERL is a unique research facility located on a 70 acre parcel within the Reserve, managed by
San Diego State University. The facility contains two acres of experimental channels and replicate marsh study
units. A recently completed Visitor's Center provides an exhibit hall, education laboratory, multi-purpose
meeting room, administrative offices, technical and planning reference library, map and photo library,
multi-media equipment and computer facilities.






                                                    15







                    FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:
                     Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve
                             3990 Old Town Avenue, Suite 300C
                                San Diego, California 92110
                                       I(619) 238-3188


        Map  8 - Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve




                   Or7
I] c                                -n~_
                                             cu nLJrI______
20                           .P0  _3 



                                                                 F! LDI 











 CI















       I                                16~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1







         WAIMANU VALLEY NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE

                                                                                        Designated in 1976

LOCATION: Waimanu Valley is the second largest of a series of amphitheater-shaped valleys in a remote
section of the windward coast of the island of Hawaii.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SITE: The Waimanu Vallev National Estuarine Research Reserve possesses 3.400
acres that encompass most of Waimanu Valley, the adjacent bay, and the trail corridor from neighboring
Waipio Valley. Intermittently inhabited for centuries, Waimanu Valley has been uninhabited for over forty
years. Partial surveys have identified two major archaeological sites with complex cultural features. Its water
resources are among the few in the State that have not been diverted and developed for human use. With the
headwaters of Waimanu Stream and tributaries developing from an adjoining State Natural Area Reserve. an
entire watershed and stream system is under Reserve protection.

SIGNIFICANT PLANT AND ANIMAL SPECIES: The lack of human influence since the tsunami of 1946 has
allowed the vegetation and animal life to follow its own course. The vegetation is made up of both native and
non-native species. Native species include such trees and shrubs as ohia-lehua, hala, alahe'e, lama, kopiko and
ilima. Non-native plants, such as guava, giant reed, California grass and palm grass dominate some areas of the
valley. The valley also provides habitat for the only land mammal native to the Hawaiian Islands, the
endangered ope'ape'a or Hawaiian hoary bat. Native birds include honeycreepers, the black-crowned night
heron, Newell's shearwater and the migratory golden plover. Aquatic life in the stream system includes five
native fish species, four native invertebrates and the introduced Tahitian prawn. Feral pigs, among other
introduced mammals such as the polynesian rat and mongoose, have an especially destructive effect on the
native vegetation and watershed/stream ecosystem.

FACILITIES: The only facilities present are trails, one of which has a trail shelter. A 5-mile, fairly difficult
trail traverses the plateau and gully section between the giant valleys of Waipio and Waimanu. Within
Waimanu, a trail runs along tne bottom of the western valley wall to numerous waterfalls.

                             FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:

                           Waimanu Valley National Estuarine Research Reserve
                                  Natural Area Reserves System Program
                                Department of Land and Natural Resources
                                            Post Office Box 621
                                          Honolulu, Hawaii 96809
                                              (808) 548-7417























                                                     17






      IMap 9 - Waimanu Valley National Estuarine Research Reserve













pU      UI                                                           N









                 INTIONAL                RESE
                  AIE











                                              IIA

                                                          Ioa
                                                        I5









ATLANTIC AND GREAT LAKES REGION


             Chesapeake Bay


                Great Bay


               Hudson River


             Narragansett Bay


              North Carolina


             Old Woman Creek


               Sapelo Island


               Waquoit Bay

                  Wells







       CHESAPEAKE BAY NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE IN
                                             MARYLAND

                                                                                       Designated in 1985

LOCATION: The Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Maryland will eventuallv consist of
three components. The Reserve presently includes one designated component, Monie Bavy, located in Somerset
County on the lower eastern shore of the Bay. Two additional elements have been proposed. Otter Point
Creek is located 17 miles northeast of Baltimore in Harford County on the upper western shore of the
Chesapeake Bay. Jug Bay is located 20 miles southeast of Washington, DC, on the Patuxent River, a western
shore tributary to the Bay, and lies in both Anne Arundel and Prince George's Counties.

SITE DESCRIPTION: The 3400 acre Monie Bay component is within the Deal Island Wildlife Management
Area and extends over four tributary creeks of Monie Bay, itself a tributary to Tangier Sound. It is comprised
of tidal creeks, open estuarine waters, salt marshes. and pine forests. The salinity of the open water typicallyI
ranges from 12 ppt in the Spring to 17 ppt in the Fall. Tides in Monie Bay are semidiurnal and have a mean
range of 1.0 feet (0.3 m).

SIGNIFICANT PLANT AND ANIMAL SPECIES: Saltmeadow cordgrass, saltgrass and needlerush dominate
the high phase areas with large stands of saltmarsh bulrush and three-square bulrush occuring in lower areas.
In areas of daily tidal exchange, saltmarsh cordgrass predominates. Wigeongrass and horned pondweed are
common in deeper areas. Monie Bay is a haven for resident and migratory bird populations including herons,
egrets, and ibises native to Maryland; various raptors including bald eagles, peregrine falcons and rough-legged
hawks; a wide variety of waterfowl species, including Canada geese; many of Maryland's shorebirds, gulls and
terns; and various passerines and grebes. Mammals include rice rats, meadow voles, muskrats, otter, raccoons,
mink, and red and gray fox. Important aquatic populations such as blue crabs, white perch, oysters and blue
fish are found in Monie Bay.

ON-SITE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION PROGRAMS: Bird banding sessions, open to the
public, are held annually.

OFF-SITE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION PROGRAMS: Reserve staff conduct tours of
the Deal Island Wildlife Management Area. Tours are given upon request to student groups.

RESEARCH PROGRAM: Research projects currently include a study on the variability in sea level rise and its
effect on marsh development, and a study on the role of sulfate from sea water in the degradation of marsh
peat. A barn owl nest box study is ongoing.

MONITORING: The Maryland Forest, Park, and Wildlife Service performs a waterfowl census and periodic
water quality monitoring in the Wildlife Management Area.

FACILITIES: None at this time.

                             FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:

                      Maryland Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
                                     Department of Natural Resources
                                       Tawes State Office Building
                                            580 Taylor Avenue
                                       Annapolis, Maryland 21401
                                              (301) 974-2784








                                                    19






Map 10 - Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Maryland





 , Chesapeake Bay v , I s* ,~    I
         -1,  Re  'ion




 1 {.                  ,,'         ?.                     x
            OTTERS PT CREEK 










                  ,VV .             ,:',-                   .
 iI. /F          BAY     ,~, '~_, ~/            ~ I ..M, A]

                         z- If         KI 
















                       *0Proposed sites
   KILO MET ERS







              GREAT BAY NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE

                                                                                        Designated in 1989

LOCATION: The Great Bay estuary extends 15 miles from the coast at New Castle, New Hampshire to the
upper Great Bay in southeastern New Hampshire.

SITE DESCRIPTION:  The Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (GBNERR) includes 4,471 acres
of tidal waters and mudflats and approximately 48 miles of shoreline. Eight hundred acres of upland within the
boundary represent the range of different resources/environments in the estuary, including salt marsh, tidal
creeks, islands, woodlands and open fields. The water area includes all of Great Bay, the small channel from
the Winnicut River and large ones from the Squamscott and Lamprey Rivers which meet in the center of the
Bay to form a channel which connects to Little Bay at Adams Point. The Great Bay estuary derives its
freshwater inflow from these rivers. It is a large, shallow estuarine embayment with an average depth of nine
feet but deeper channels extend to around 58 feet. Approximately one half of Great Bay is exposed at low tide
with most of the intertidal being mudflat. The tidal range of the estuarine system varies slightly from 6.5 feet at
Dover Point to 6.8 feet at the mouth of the Squamscott River. Great Bay is typical of northern New England
estuaries in having a variety of marine plant communities. Great Bay is dominated by intertidal mudflats with
substantial areas of intertidal macroalgae. Within Great Bay, salt marsh occurs predominately as a thin fringe
along the uppermost intertidal, although extensive salt marshes are present along the Squamscott River,
Lubberland and Crommett Creeks.

SIGNIFICANT PLANT AND ANIMAL SPECIES: Eighteen rare or endangered plant species have been
identified within the Reserve. Among them are: downy foxglove, small-crested sedge, turk's-cap lily, large salt
marsh aster, and eastern lilaeopsis. The five rare or endangered animal species found in the Reserve are: the
bald eagle, common tern, common loon, eastern hognose snake, and four-toed salamander.

FACILITIES: Headquarters for the Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve programs and staff are
located in Durham, adjacent to the University of New Hampshire. The University of New Hampshire's Jackson
Estuarine Laboratory is located within the Reserve at Adam's Point, affording an ideal location for research.

                              FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

                              Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
                                  New Hampshire Office of State Planning
                                       2 1/2 Beacon Street, 2nd Floor
                                     Concord, New Hampshire 03301
                                              (603) 271-1752
                                                   OR
                              New Hampshire Department of Fish and Game
                                                 Region 3
                                            37 Concord Road
                                           Durham, NH 03824
                                              (603) 868-1095

















                                                    21








                   Map It - Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve







                                                                               I
                   Public Land 

                   Private LandN

                   Wetiand Area 



             Dul1-  AdamsrnSVrtCromrnet Creek  -&~ITLE BAY

             Ngi.  Pease Air Bass

             Nk I -  Lubberland Creek

                NkN!1-Squamnscott River Wetlands /-

                   Research Reserve Boundary
     I~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

                                                              NgI





                              NKI


                                      GREAT BAY


                        N NI/S







I~~~~~~~~~~~~~TA

















                                                                      IA







           HUDSON RIVER NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE

                                                                                          Designated in 1982

LOCATION: The Hudson River Estuary extends 152 miles from the southern tip of Manhattan Island north to
the Federal Dam at Troy, New York. The Hudson River Reserve embraces four sites, Piermont Marsh, Iona
Island, Tivoli Bays, and Stockport Flats, along 100 miles of the tidal Hudson. A broad salinity gradient is found
along the estuary.

SITE DESCRIPTIONS: Piermont Marsh is a brackish, 944-acre tidal wetland comprised of emergent
vegetation and shallows along two miles of shoreline, about 25 miles north of New York City. Iona Island
includes 556 acres of slightly brackish tidal marsh and rocky, forested uplands located in the heart of the
Hudson Highlands. Its diversity of wetland species reflects the highly variable salt regime in this reach of the
Hudson.

Tivoli Bays is the largest freshwater tidal wetland complex on the Hudson estuary. Its nearly 1600 acres include
Tivoli South Bay, a large shallow embayment with extensive mudflats at low tide; Tivoli North Bay, a mature
cattail marsh, two islands, upland forests and extensive nearshore shallows. Stockport Flats, the Reserve's most
northern site, is 1150 acres of intertidal mudflats, subtidal shallows, emergent freshwater tidal marshes, and
vegetated dredge spoil islands.

SIGNIFICANT PLANT AND ANIMAL SPECIES: Tidal freshwater wetlands are the Reserve's most unusual
habitat. Its emergent marshes are dominated by narrowleaf cattail and support many marsh birds, small
mammals and snapping turtles. Low marsh vegetation includes spatterdock and pickerelweed, and provides
habitat for fish, turtles, waterfowl and wading birds. Shallows vegetated by wild celery, Eurasian watermilfoil,
various pondweeds and water chestnut serve as spawning and nursery grounds for many species of fish. Cattails
and Spartina species occur together in the Reserve's brackish marshes.

ON-SITE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION PROGRAMS: Offerings include year-round
interpretive field programs for general adult audiences, field classes for students, workshops for teachers and
youth leaders, traveling exhibits, and presentations to community groups and service organizations. Resource
materials, research results, existing data bases, site brochures, maps, trail guides and curriculum materials are
distributed as well. Interpretive exhibits about the Reserve are located at the Trailside Museum and Zoo near
Iona Island in Bear Mountain State Park and at the Coxsackie boat launch near Stockport Flats.

RESEARCH PROGRAM: A wide variety of research projects have been conducted at the four Reserve sites.
These include physical, biological and chemical characterizations, studies of ecosystem processes, and
investigations of exchanges between wetlands and the main stem of the Hudson. The Reserve sites represent
the range of salinity regimes found in the estuary, as well as the gradient of watershed development density,
creating many excellent opportunities for examining research questions related to coastal management issues.
The sites are also fed by sizeable tributaries. Railroad causeways separating two of the Reserve's wetlands at
the Tivoli Bays from the main stem of the estuary offer unique opportunities to quantify interactions between
the tidal wetlands and the river. The Hudson also has a large selection of natural and man-made chemical
markers that make possible the historical analysis of sediment deposition. Finally, the Reserve co-sponsors the
Polgar Fellowship Program, an opportunity for graduate and undergraduate students to conduct indpendent
research on the Hudson River Estuary.

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM: The Hudson River Reserve is assisted by volunteers on four advisory committees,
as well as those involved in site characterizations and other key tasks.

FACILITIES: The Reserve's headquarters is at the Bard College Field Station on Tivoli South Bay. The Field
Station houses laboratories, a library, herbarium, bunkrooms, boats and field gear that are available to
researchers working in the Reserve.




                                                     23












          FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:

          Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve
                     Bard College Field Station
               Annandale-on-Hudson, New York 12504
                          (914) 758-5193



Map 12 - Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve






Albany                                                               PQi 


      I  N


Coxsackie *'?j                                                       NY
        I  C---STOCKPORT FLATS
          iHudson                           |
 Catskill



      I' TIOUL BAYS

Kingston 5gF     B  S




            Poughkeepsie



  Newburgh 


     West Pomin
IONA ISL4ND &     Peeki

                 Croton


            Nyack .   Tarrytown

  PIERMONT MARSH  Y      4ne



               1: ( Manhattan

         Jersey City.
        Newark 











                                 24







       NARRAGANSETT BAY NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE

                                                                                       Designated in 1980

LOCATION: The Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is located in the geographic center
of Narragansett Bay, twelve miles from Newport, Rhode Island to the south and twelve miles from Providence.
Rhode Island to the north.

SITE DESCRIPTION: The Reserve is composed of 1,035 acres of land on Prudence, Patience, and Hope
Islands and 1,591 acres of water adjoining the islands out to the 18-foot isobath. The land area includes 737
acres on North Prudence, 204 acres on Patience Island and 94 acres on Hope Island. The islands contain
diverse aquatic and terrestrial habitats and are nesting sites for numerous species of birds.

SIGNIFICANT PLANT AND ANIMAL SPECIES: The Reserve is home to white-tailed deer, raccoons, eastern
red fox and eastern cottontail rabbits. The bird population in the Reserve includes the great blue heron,
green-backed heron, little blue heron, great egret, snowy egret, black-crowned night heron, and the glassy ibis.
Soft-shell clams, quahogs, lobster, striped bass, black-back flounder and sea trout are found in the Reserve's
tidal deepwater. During the winter, harbor seals occasionally use the Reserve's exposed offshore rocks as
haulout and resting sites.

ON-SITE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND INTERPRETION PROGRAMS: An extensive trail system reaches the
major ecological features of the Reserve. A seasonal ferry brings school classes, organizations and individuals
to the Reserve. An interpretive program is provided.

OFF-SITE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND INTERPRETION PROGRAMS:  The Reserve is associated with the
Narragansett Bay Project and is involved in special off-site educational programs to increase appreciation of the
site.

RESEARCH PROGRAM: The research program is focused on the salt marshes and aquatic habitats of the
Reserve. The program is designed to promote the understanding necessary for restoration and protection of
the nation's estuaries.

MONITORING PROGRAM: A long-term atmospheric monitoring effort is underway and will be coupled to a
water quality program designed to characterize, detect change, and assess trends in marine water quality.

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM: Prudence Conservancy, Inc., a publicly supported, non-profit organization
participates in the monitoring program and selected educational events.

FACILITIES: Public facilities within the Reserve include docking space at north Prudence Island, a small
interpretive area at the dock, and interpretive panels at the site of a farm established by John Brown twenty to
thirty years after the Revolutionary War.
                             FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:

                           Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
                                Department of Environmental Management
                                              9 Hayes Street
                                           Providence, RI 02908
                                              (40.) 277-2771










                                                    25







I           ~~~~~Map 13 - Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research




                               -   E&~~~ST







 I~~~~~~~~~~~~2 BARRINGO 


             I~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~IE


                 EAST

I~~~~~~~~~GENC  200    0EO0CNWAAST            ,   O

            I~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~T~RO

               I~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~L







                  'OUT"



  I~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~'E



                                             NA/ARA GANSETr BAY~
           I                         /      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~MA









                                              26






         NORTH CAROLINA NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE

                                                                                       Designated in 1982
LOCATION: The North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve includes three sites along the North                      I
Carolina coast. The Reserve includes: the Zeke's Island component in New Hanover and Brunswick Counties.
the Rachel Carson component in Carteret County, and the Currituck Banks component in Currituck County. A
fourth component at Masonboro Island in New Hanover County is proposed for designation.

SITE DESCRIPTION: The Zeke's Island component encompasses approximately 1,165 acres of upland,
intertidal, and shallow water areas. The Rachel Carson component includes 2,625 acres of upland area,
marshes, intertidal flats, tidal creeks, and shallow estuarine waters. The proposed Masonboro Island
component includes 5,046 acres of salt marshes, maritime forests, dunes, grassy flats, shrub thickets, eel grass
beds, and mud and sand flats. Finally, the Currituck Banks component covers 964 acres of beach, dunes,
maritime forest, marshes and flats, sound-side islands and a portion of Currituck Sound.

SIGNIFICANT PLANT AND ANIMAL SPECIES: The Atlantic Loggerhead sea turtle, a federally-listed
threatened species, occasionally nests within the Reserve. Other endangered or threatened fauna found in the
Reserve include: the southern bald eagle, piping plover, peregrine falcon, eastern brown pelican, and the green
turtle. Feral horses are found on the Rachel Carson component.

OFF-SITE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION PROGRAMS: Slide presentations and video
tapes are presented at the North Carolina Aquarium and the North Carolina Maritime Museum.

RESEARCH PROGRAM: To date, most f DAA-funded research has been focused on the Rachel Carson                                 I
component of the North Carolina NERR. Research has included a quantitative description of plan succession
on dredge spoil islands and changes as a result of transformations in plant species composition; habitat
mapping; and effects of feral horses on the production, distribution, abundance and stability of salt marsh
plants. Research funds for baseline studies on sediment dynamics of Currituck Sound at the Currituck
component have been awarded.

FACILITIES: While there are no public facilities at the Reserve, the following entities provide information and
offer field trips to the Reserve: the North Carolina Aquariums at Roanoke Island, Pine Knoll Shores, Fort
Fisher, and the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort.
                            FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:
                            North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve
                                     Division of Coastal Management
                                              P.O. Box 27687
                                         Raleigh, NC 27611-7687
                                              (919) 733-2293


                                                                                                                      I

                                                                                                                      I


                                                                                                                      I


                                                                                                                      I


                                                    27







           Map 14 -North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve









                                            I~r                       C T   -   -   -  8AfiUC KK  SiTE



                                I  brI .                             K.;y Hfawi







                                       tic









                                                     RACNEL. CARSrS  (CARROT ISLANO)

                             I        Caoe Lookou:




                          BAONOMt  ISLAXQ SITE (PROPM5ED)

 I':  Seou~rt  Car~iifia'g34
I~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


                       ZEKE'S LSLAND  SIT   E     ROQSED








                                                              GA   \   Ci









                                           28







        OLD WOMAN CREEK NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE

                                                                                         Designated in 1980

LOCATION: The Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve is located on Lake Erie, two miles
east of Huron, Ohio.

SITE DESCRIPTION: This is the smallest Reserve in the National Estuarine Research Reserve System with a
total of 571 acres. Old Woman Creek is a drowned stream mouth that drains into Lake Erie and is considered
to be a Great Lakes-type freshwater estuary. Within the Reserve several aquatic and terrestrial habitat types
have been identified. These include open water, barrier beach, remnant embavment marshes. mudflats,
oak-hickory upland hardwood forests, and a swamp forest. Aquatic vascular plants typical of the estuary are
American water lotus, white water lily, arrow arum, sago pondweed, duckweeds, smartweeds, sedges. rice
cutgrass, and cattails.

SIGNIFICANT PLANT AND ANIMAL SPECIES: Hundreds of species of algae, vascular plants, invertebrates.
mammals, fishes, and birds have been recorded in the Old Woman Creek Reserve. Several are threatened,
endangered, or species of special concern. Some examples include the American bald eagle, sharp-shinned
hawk, spotted turtle, eastern fox snake, Blanding's turtle, and several emergent plants. The Reserve also serves
as an important nursery and spawning area for numerous Lake Erie forage and sport fish species.

ON-SITE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION PROGRAMS:  These programs range from
multi-media presentations and aquatic ecology field trips to college-accredited workshops for students and
teachers as well as lectures open to the general public. Programs concentrate on topics directly related to the
Reserve and its management, such as, water chemistry, nutrient-level monitoring, fish ecology, aquatic insects,
estuarine plant communities, primary productivity, food web relationships, migratory birds, and lake shore and
beach ecology. The Reserve maintains a reference library, educational materials file, and bibliography of
wetland educational resources.

OFF-SITE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION PROGRAMS: Off-site programs include
lectures, slide presentations, mobile displays, and inter-agency cooperative workshops. Technical reports and
annual operations reports are distributed regularly to state, Federal and local agencies.

RESEARCH PROGRAM: The long-range goal of the Old Woman Creek research program is to develop a
better understanding of the Great Lakes-type freshwater estuarine ecosystem. A secondary objective is to
determine the extent that Great Lakes-type freshwater estuaries perform natural functions similar to marine
estuaries. Information from this research program is made available to coastal zone managers and
decisionmakers for the Great Lakes region. A significant portion of the Reserve staff's job is to encourage
members of the academic community to undertake field studies within the coastal zone, with special emphasis
on research in the estuary.

MONITORING PROGRAM: A watershed-wide water quality monitoring program began at the Reserve in
1980. The purpose of this on-going project is to provide basic temporal information about the water chemistry
of the estuary. In 1984, the monitoring program was expanded to include a study of the role of storm events in
changing the chemical makeup of estuarine waters and the effects of these storms on the microscopic plant
populations which are the foundation of the estuarine food chain. Routine monitoring of phytoplankton,
zooplankton, aquatic plants, invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, fish, and birds is carried out on a
seasonal basis by members of the Reserve staff.

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM: The volunteer program enlists 25-30 persons to assist the staff with operation of
the Visitor Center, public programming, and maintenance of facilities and hiking trails. Volunteer program
materials have been developed for use in training sessions.

FACILITIES:  The Reserve's administrative offices are located in the Ohio Center for Coastal Wetland Studies
which overlooks the eastern shore of the estuary. The Center also provides laboratory space for research, and


                                                    29






houses exhibits that serve as a focal point for public visitation and educational programming. An on-site
dormitory provides overnight accommodations for researchers and workshop participants.
                         FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:

                       Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve
                                    2514 Cleveland Road, East
                                       Huron, Ohio 44839
                                         (419) 433-4601


            Map 15 - Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve



               ,.                                          .                            I
                                           tke Erk

              2














                                                            .. ONO ,    .'W  for casse

                                                ï¿½4~         2.Edlld WpW Tnl

                                                           4 Obseyado Dede



                 Ur-~nd For, 'f





                                                                     7    .. .             PA
                                                                 IN            O:






                                              30








          SAPELO ISLAND NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE

                                                                                       Designated in 1976

LOCATION: Sapelo Island is located seven and one half miles northeast of Darien, Georgia in McIntosh
County in the Duplin River system.

SITE DESCRIPTION: The Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve includes most of the Duplin
River watershed and contains extensive marsh, southern hardwood forest, pure stands of pines, dunes, and
beaches. The Reserve is bound to the northwest by the Mud River, to the west by New Teakettle Creek, and to
the southwest by Doboy Sound. The Reserve encompasses 5,905 acres, of which 3,811 acres are marshland and
2,094 acres are high ground at the south end of Sapelo Island.

SIGNIFICANT PLANT AND ANIMAL SPECIES: Broad-leafed evergreens and Spanish moss are abundant in
the Reserve. During the warm months, the Duplin River serves as a nursery for shrimp and the juvenile forms
of menhaden, sea trout, blue crabs and sea bass.

ON-SITE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION PROGRAMS: Guided tours are conducted on
Wednesdays and Saturdays from September through May, and on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays between
Memorial Day and Labor Day. Field trips are given for schools on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

OFF-SITE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION PROGRAMS: Approximately twenty off-site
programs for civic organizations and schools are conducted annually.

RESEARCH PROGRAM: The University of Georgia Marine Institute (UGMI) is located at the Reserve. The
Institute, which was founded in 1953, has been a center for nearshore geological and ecological research since
its inception. Research at the Institute has generated more than 600 publications, many addressing the general
ecology and system enereetics of the marshes of Sapelo Island. In addition to UGMI-sponsored research, the
Reserve has attracted a variety of estuarine research proposals funded by other Federal agencies such as the
National Science Foundation and NOAA's Sea Grant Program. Currently the NERRS program is funding the
development of a Geographic Information System for the Island that may provide a prototype system for other
Research Reserves.

MONITORING PROGRAM: The Reserve is working in conjunction with the University of Georgia Marine
Institute to establish three remote Hydro Lab 2020 units and three weather stations. Two units operated by
UGMI already exist. In addition, Georgia's Environimental Protection Division does quarterly sampling of 22
physio-chemical parameters and annual sampling of metals and pesticides in water, oysters and sediment. The
Coastal Resources Division conducts bi-monthly water quality sampling as part of its shellfish program at four
sites within the Reserve.

FACILITIES: The University of Georgia Marine Institute is located at the Reserve. Facilities at the Institute
include: offices, laboratories, dormatories and permanent housing for resident and visiting scientists, a
flowing-seawater laboratory, a library and computer facilities. The Marine Institute also manages a conference
center on the island available for use by academic groups and state agencies. Two research vessels are also
maintained by the Institute. The facilities for casual visitors to the Reserve include a passenger ferry to the
Island from the main dock in Meridian, and a small visitors facility at the Meridian Dock. The Department of
Natural Resources conducts tours of the Reserve on a regularly scheduled basis and has interpretive displays
and descriptive brochures at the Administration offices on Sapelo Island.

                             FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:

                             Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve
                                     Department of Natural Resources
                                             Post Office Box 19
                                          Sapelo Island, GA 31327
                                               (912) 485-2251


                                                     31





                  IMap 16 - Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve





                     Sapelo Island
I        ~  ~~~~~~National Estuarine
                   Research Reserve





      I~~~~~~~~~
      I~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



              I~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~T

                 I~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

             I~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~LG





       I~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~3







            WAQUOIT BAY NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE

                                                                                         Designated in 1988

LOCATION: W'aquoit Bay is located in the towns of Falmouth and MNashpee in Barnstable County,
Massachusetts. The Bay is adjacent to Nantucket Sound on the south side of Cape Cod.

SITE DESCRIPTION: The Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve includes areas of intense,
moderate and low human impact. The boundary of the Reserve encompasses several distinct water bodies and
upland areas within and adjacent to the Bay. The waters within the Reserve include all of Waquoit Bay; Jehu.
Hamblin, Bourne, Bog, Caleb, Sage Lot and Flat Ponds; the Great and Little Rivers; and portions of the
Quashnet/Moonakis River. Upland and major marsh areas within the Reserve include Washburn Island, South
Cape Beach, a small acreage at the head of the Bay known as the Swift Estate, and wetlands areas adjacent to
the ponds mentioned above. The Reserve encompasses 2,199 acres of marsh, open water and upland fields
and forest.

SIGNIFICANT PLANT AND ANIMAL SPECIES: The Reserve is one of only two confirmed localities in the
Commonwealth where the endangered plant Sandplain Gerardia is found. The Piping Plover, currently listed
as Federally threatened on the East Coast, resides on Washburn Island.

ON-SITE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION PROGRAMS: The Reserve's education project
entitled Coastal Resources Education--Discovering an Estuarine Ecosystem is designed to increase public
awareness of estuarine ecosystems and create curriculum materials and a field guide for visitors. Children from
the public schools have been introduced to the Reserve through this project. In addition, lectures are given on
research currently underway at the Reserve. Opportunities for college students are offered to learn about
estuaries and research methods through field trips to the Reserve or by working closely for a period of time with
researchers at the Reserve.

RESEARCH PROGRAM. The following research projects are being conducted at the Reserve in conjunction
with various state agencies, universities and institutes. Declines of Eelgrass in Estuarine Research Reserves
along the East Coast of the United States: Problems of Pollution and Disease; Comparison of
Young-of-the-Year Nekton Growth and Survival in Seagrass Beds and Marshes; The Potential Effects of Sea
Level Rise and Development on the Importance of Wetlands and Benthic Denitrification in Reducing the Input
of Groundwater Transported Nitrogen to Coastal Waters; Effects of Eutrophication on Growth and
Productivity of Macroalgae in Waquoit Bay; Osprey Productivity Project; The Distribution and Productivity of
Juvenile Winter Flounder in Waquoit Bay; Continued Studies of Vegetation and Nutrient Changes in Waquoit
Bay. This latter project has lead to a Land Margin Ecosystem Research (LMER) grant for an ecosystem-level
experiment in Waquoit Bay to assess the effects of varying nutrient loading rates on primary production of
phytoplankton and macroalgae looking specifically at nutrient inputs from septic tanks. This grant is jointly
funded by National Science Foundation (NSF), the Environmental Protection Agency and NOAA.

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM: A very active group of volunteers serves on the Reserve's Advisory Committee and
three sub-committees. In addition, there is currently an effort to recruit volunteers to become involved in
day-to-day operations, assisting in tasks such as reception, patrolling lands, grounds work, cataloguing the
library, photography, monitoring of endangered plants and animals, etc.

FACILITIES: The Swift Estate is the site for the Reserve Headquarters and Visitors Center. The Swift Estate
is located in Falmouth on a bluff thirty feet above the waters at the north end of the Bay. Site improvements on
the property include a 100 year-old, three-story Victorian mansion, a carriage house, a gate house, and a
two-story boat house. Major renovations are planned for this site in the near future. Upon completion of
renovations, the Reserve will be an on-site base for research, education and interpretation, and monitoring
activities. South Cape Beach, which is inside the Reserve boundaries, is a state park passive recreational area
for swimming, hiking and birding. Future plans include a small visitor's center, bath houses and boardwalks.




                                                     33








                IFOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT.

                Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
                            Post Office Box 92W
                            Waquoit, MA 02536

                              (508) 457-0495

       Map 17 - Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve





               I



                                wua Wqzt V grac


I~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~















  iiW4





                                  I A. 'SH          ï¿½ 
                        Z11mm-~~~~









                                                     IrNYR
              ~~~iad  Pe~~~~~~~~~~~so                     UA






                                                       IT _       _














                                  I34







                 WELLS NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE

                                                                                         Designated in 1984

LOCATION: The Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve is located in southern Maine on the Atlantic
coast in the Town of Wells.

SITE DESCRIPTION: The Reserve encompasses approximately 1,550 acres of undeveloped marsh system
and transitional upland fields and forests, occurring along two contrasting watersheds--the Little River estuary
and the Webhannet River estuary.

SIGNIFICANT PLANT AaND ANIMAL SPECIES: Two Federally endangered species have been found within
the Reserve: the Bald Eagle and the Peregrine Falcon. Five species of state concern are also found: piping
plover, least tern, slender blue flag, eastern joe-pye weed, and arethusa.

ON-SITE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND INTERPRETION PROGRAMS: The Wells Reserve has seven miles of
trails that wind through woodland, freshwater wetland, salt marsh and beach habitats. Two-hour guided tours
are available year round for the general public and community groups. The Reserve is also open Tuesday
through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. for self-guided tours. A Visitor Center is located at the Laudholm
Farm site, and houses exhibits, staff offices and a research library. Special programs concerning the natural
resources of the coastal area are given periodically. A pilot program, "Researchers for a Day", for fourth
graders is given by trained volunteers in the fall and spring. Other grades may use the facilities at the Reserve
with prior arrangements.

OFF-SITE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND INTERPRETION PROGRAMS: Programs and displays on the
importance of the Reserve are available for local civic groups, conservation organizations and special events.

RESEARCH PROGRAM: Sedimentation and hydraulic studies have been conducted on both the Webhannet
and Little River estuaries. Other studies have compared productivity between the Reserve's marsh systems and
those of the rest of the Gulf of Maine. The Wells Reserve was one of four sites that hosted a coast-wide study
that resulted in the isolation of the causal organism of eelgrass wasting disease. Enteric viruses occurring within
Reserve estuaries have been sampled and catalogued. Investigation into fishery habitat requirements , :
northern high marshes is ongoing.

MONITORING PROGRAM: Environmental characterization of Wells Reserve has progressed to include
inventories of vegetation, breeding birds, and small mammals. Pilot programs commencing in 1989 will monitor
rainfall, fresh water runoff, salinity, tidal currents and tidal height within the Webhannet River estuary, as well
as water quality in the tributaries of the Webhannet River, over the course of a year. Results of the studies will
serve as a model for developing a long-term monitoring program at the Wells Reserve.

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM: A corps of volunteers runs the tour program at the Reserve. Docents receive forty
hours of training prior to leading school programs. In addition, training/class opportunities are offered
throughout the year which are especially designed to enhance a volunteer's ability to conduct guided tours for
the public. Volunteers also act as receptionists at the Visitor Center, design exhibits, develop educational
programs, and maintain the buildings and grounds of the Reserve. In 1988, volunteers contributed over 8,000
hours to assist in the Reserve programs.

FACILITIES: The former Laudholm Farm, a unique example of a 19th century saltwater dairy is located within
the Reserve. The farm's Greek Revival mansion is being restored and transformed into a Visitor Center with
administrative offices, exhibit rooms, a map room, research library and classrooms. The barn and out buildings
provide additional space for educational activities, analytical field and microscopy laboratories and collection
storage.





                                                     35







                           FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:

                              Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve
                                          RR .#2, Box 806
                                        Wells, Maine 04090
                                           (207) 646-1555


                    Map 18 -Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve



































                                                                           Pt<~~NS
I~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~IX









                      ~te                ==








                                                36