From Maine to Alaska, more than 400 NERRds gathered for our very first virtual annual meeting. While this year’s experience was different, we’re still left with that glow that only time with our NERRS family can bring. Your enthusiasm, camaraderie, and patience made the challenge of planning this meeting worthwhile. We have so many people to thank for making this time together so special, but first and foremost—thank YOU. It took everyone pulling together to make our virtual meeting a success.

Thank You, Plenary Speakers

Our plenary speakers, Parker McMullen-Bushman and J. Drew Lanham of Clemson University, inspired us with their eloquence and vision for building diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice into our work with estuaries and the communities that depend on them.

Thank You, Davidson Fellows

Part of what made this year special was the opportunity to meet our first cohort of Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Fellows. Thank you, fellows, for introducing yourselves and your projects. We’re looking forward to spending more time with you in the coming years!

Thank You, Sponsors

The NERRS/NERRA Annual Meeting would not be the same without our incredible sponsors. Our heartfelt gratitude to them.

Thank You, Estuary Heroes

In a talented, hardworking group like the NERRS, there is no shortage of outstanding people doing extraordinary things. But this year four super-NERRds stood out in the eyes of their colleagues and the System. Warm congratulations to…

Technical Assistance Award Winners

• John Haskins, water quality monitoring scientist at the Elkhorn Slough Reserve. “He is the most patient and kind person I have ever worked with… Over 20 years, John has made me and many others believers in the power of water quality monitoring.”
  
• Gregg Sakowicz, field researcher at the Jacques Cousteau Reserve. “He is an innovator, teacher, and the most passionate technician I have ever worked with. He does it all!”

Impact Award Winner

• Atziri Ibanez, formerly the national education coordinator for NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management, now at NOAA’s Office for Education. “She’s passionate, hardworking, strategic, inspiring, and a profound role model… Her impact on the Reserve System lives on.”

NERRS-NERRA Award for Outstanding Contribution

• Coreen Weilminster, education coordinator at Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay Reserve. “What is most outstanding is the relentlessness of her commitment, dedication, and passion. She will not accept that a disabled child must wait in the parking lot while her peers have a learning experience in the estuary.”

Thank You, Cinema Buffs

Many of you grabbed the popcorn and joined us on Facebook Live for the seventh NERRS annual filmfest. Watch the replay and individual films on NERRA’s Youtube and don’t forget to follow us! 

Congratulations to the Chesapeake Bay Sentinel Site Cooperative for their winning video, Turning the Tide! They’ve won a GoPro 9 donated by Roca Communications.

These videos create an immediate connection to the special places, people, and programs of the NERRS.  Thank you, cinephilic NERRds, for always showing us in our best light!

Thank You, Auction Team

SOLD! Our incredible donors, auctioneers, and of course, bidders all contributed to a successful NERRA online auction. Kudos to the auction ‘Bidding Bunch’ for finding ways to make this year fun.

If you were an item donor, hold tight—we’ll be in touch with where to ship items to your lucky winners soon.