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