Heeia National Estuarine Research Reserve Receives Over $600,000 to Protect Coastal Resources
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) today announced that the Heeia National Estuarine Research Reserve (HeNERR) will receive $673,000 in grant funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for research, education, and stewardship activities.
“Estuarine reserves serve a vital role in providing researchers and natural resource managers with the knowledge and tools to effectively protect valuable coastal resources for communities in Hawaii and across the nation,” said Senator Hirono. “By promoting good stewardship of our lands and waters, today’s funding will ensure that the Kaneohe Bay estuary and the ecosystem it supports can continue to thrive.”
Managed in partnership with the State of Hawaii, UH Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, and NOAA, HeNERR promotes the cultural traditions and stewardship of Hawaii’s coasts and estuaries through innovative research, education, and training.
Senator Hirono is a strong advocate for the National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) program, supporting federal funding for NERR each year. Located within the Kaneohe Bay estuary on Oahu, HeNERR was designated as the 29th NERR on January 19, 2017 and is the largest sheltered body of water in Hawaii.
For more information about HeNERR, click here.
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