Celebrate National #EstuariesWeek with 5 #NOAAScholars!

This summer, five NOAA Scholars got their feet wet working in these important ecosystems.

(Left to Right) Alena Reynolds (Western Washington University), Dr. Jude Apple (mentor) and Hollings Scholar Danielle Siegert conducting field studies at Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Washington.

(Left to Right) Alena Reynolds (Western Washington University), Dr. Jude Apple (mentor) and Hollings Scholar Danielle Siegert conducting field studies at Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Washington. (Image credit: Nicole Burnett)

Estuaries, where freshwater rivers meet the salty ocean, are among the most productive ecosystems in the world. Estuaries provide nursery grounds for 75% of commercial fish species, naturally filter for runoff, and protect the coast from storms. Since 1988, National Estuaries Week offsite link (#EstuariesWeek) has been raising awareness of estuaries and celebrating the many benefits we derive from these unique ecosystems. This estuaries week, September 17-24th, we are featuring estuarine projects from our Hollings Scholars.

The NOAA Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship Program prepares students for careers as scientists and environmental educators. Each year, National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) sites throughout the US host Hollings Scholars as summer interns. The Reserve System provides living laboratories for students to study estuarine ecosystems. The Research Reserves also provide opportunities to develop locally relevant education and public outreach projects.

Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, one of 28 NERRs throughout the US.
Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, one of 28 NERRs throughout the US. (Dana Russell)

The National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) is a nationwide network of 28 ecologically significant coastal sites that are studied by scientists. Protecting 1.3 million acres, the Reserve System is managed by partnerships between NOAA and the coastal states. The system’s mission includes stewardship, research, training and education.

This year, five Hollings Undergraduate Scholars conducted their summer internships at Research Reserves throughout the country. We’re excited to introduce you to the scholars and share their research and education efforts. For more information on the Hollings Scholarship Program, visit our website and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Sadia Crosby - South Slough NERR (Charleston, Oregon)

Hollings Scholar Sadia Crosby using electroshocking equipment to study the population dynamics of juvenile lamprey at South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve in Oregon. Sadia helped out with several research projects during her summer internship at the Research Reserve.
Hollings Scholar Sadia Crosby conducting research at South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve in Oregon. (Jenni Schmitt)

An environmental science major at Roger Williams University, Sadia Crosby worked on seagrass monitoring at South Slough NERR in Charleston, Oregon. She studied the distribution of eelgrass and the dispersion of a non-native eelgrass species across the estuary. Read more❯ 

Hallee Meltzer - Tijuana River NERR (Imperial Beach, California)

Hallee Meltzer, a NOAA Hollings Scholar from the University of Miami.
Hallee Meltzer, a NOAA Hollings Scholar from the University of Miami. (Hallee Meltzer)

This summer, Hallee Meltzer, an environmental science major at the University of Miami, studied estuarine responses to El Niño at Tijuana River NERR in Imperial Beach, CA. Read more❯ 

Dana Russell - Guana Tolomato Matanzas NERR (Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida)

Hollings Scholar Dana Russell leads a middle school summer camp during her summer internship at Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve.
Hollings Scholar Dana Russell leads a middle school summer camp during her summer internship at Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve.

A biology education major at Temple University (PA), Dana Russell spent her summer at Guana Tolomato Matanzas NERR in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, developing online modules about estuarine ecosystems for teacher professional development. Read more❯ 

Danielle Siegert - Padilla Bay NERR, (Mt. Vernon, Washington)

Hollings Scholar Danielle Siegert, from the University of North Carolina Wilmington, conducting research during her summer internship at Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
Hollings Scholar Danielle Siegert conducting research during her summer internship at Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (Heath Bohlmann)

Danielle Siegert, a marine biology and oceanography major at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, studied carbon cycling in eelgrass beds this summer at Padilla Bay NERR in Mt. Vernon, WA. Read more❯ 

Celeste Venolia - Chesapeake Bay-Virginia NERR (Gloucester Point, Virginia)

Hollings Scholar Celeste Venolia, from Smith College, teaches middle school campers about seagrass biology during her summer internship at Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.
Hollings Scholar Celeste Venolia teaches middle school campers about seagrass biology during her summer internship at Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. (Sarah Nuss)

A rising senior at Smith College (MA) studying biology, environmental science and policy, Celeste Venolia interned this summer at the Chesapeake Bay-Virginia NERR in Gloucester Point, VA. She helped lead day camps for 1st-2nd and 5-6th graders, and an overnight camp for 7-8th graders, and developed a seagrass-focused lesson plan for middle school students. Read more❯