Summary
Do you value the Kachemak Bay Research Reserve? It's time to let Congress know.
Photo: Research Reserve staff beach seine to improve understanding of nearshore fish populations.
Proposed National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) funding cuts for 2026 will eliminate KBNERR’s base funding which supports Research Reserve staff, students, and facilities. This would eliminate our ability to provide education and outreach to the region, as well as most of our monitoring and research.
For 25 years the Research Reserve has supported community monitoring for invasive species and harmful algal blooms; maintained weather and water quality monitoring; supported research on headwater salmon streams, watershed ecology, nearshore and marine ecology, and oceanography; offered hands-on, place-based education for K-12 students, supported teacher trainings, undergraduate and graduate student internships; and supported decision-makers with trainings & technical assistance in accessing local science and data to address coastal management issues (e.g., drinking water source protection; stormwater management; salmon headwater stream habitat).
We need your help – please share with Congress, State Legislators and local leaders the value that KBNERR brings to the communities of Kachemak Bay, the state of Alaska and the nation, by the end of August.
Please write to Senator Murkowski, Senator Sullivan, and Rep. Begich to:
1) Share why you value KBNERR
2) Request they provide full funding for the National Estuarine Research Reserve System in fiscal year 2026
3) Request they sign onto Dear Colleague Letters to reauthorize and fund the NERRs
This small amount of NOAA’s budget is an excellent deal for the Federal Government, the State of Alaska, and local citizens. KBNERR has 25 years of practice making every dollar count, and leveraging partnerships and collaboration across the region.
Sign onto the National Estuarine Research Reserve Association (NERRA) support letter here. More than 2,100 people have signed.
KTOO, Juneau article highlights how KBNERR students join Alaska’s workforce: Proposed NOAA cuts could shutter research institutes that train the next generation of Alaska scientists
Homer News published an article on July 10th: Proposed funding cuts threaten research reserve
Photos: Generations of data for generations of fish – Reserve partnerships and programs leverage every dollar to ensure productive fisheries and shellfish industries support our economies, keeping Alaska open for business.