Spreading the Seeds of Estuary Health - NERRS/NSC(NERRS Science Collaborative)

Through this project, four southeast National Estuarine Research Reserves created a region-wide student-driven program for teachers that furthered understanding of estuarine habitat restoration. The project built on the successes of previous efforts that engaged students in smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) restoration. Students at 18 participating schools in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida grew and transplanted smooth cordgrass to eroded marsh and/or floating cordgrass islands near their school, learned about estuarine habitat, and built scientific and technical skills. Reserves supported teachers through each stage of the project by providing professional development opportunities, standards-based lesson plans, and an online interactive resource center. The project grew a community of practice among educators and reserves, expanded the use of salt marsh focused curriculum, increased plant growth in degraded ecosystems, and gave students the tools to be effective ecological stewards in their communities. This science transfer project was funded by NOAA through the National Estuarine Research Reserve System Science Collaborative to promote the use of science. It did not produce any new data.