DC Download: September 2025

More than 3,100 people around the country love their Reserve! In a letter to Congressional leaders, people around the coasts urged full funding for the National Estuarine Research Reserve System.

Unfortunately, in late August, the Office of Management and Budget finalized its Spend Plan for FY 2025 funding and directed NOAA to cut $4 million in funding for the NERRS budget line item. This resulted in the elimination of the NERRS Science Collaborative funds that stood to benefit all 30 Reserves. Fortunately, over the coming year, Reserve staff and colleagues at the Collaborative will be able to continue to share the results of important applied research that benefits communities.

In other DC news, Congress is joining Reserves and their communities in celebrating National Estuaries Week. Big thanks to Reps. Brian Mast (R-FL), Rick Larsen (D-WA), Mike Haridopolos (R-FL), and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) for introducing a House resolution (H.Res.733) designating September 20–27, 2025 as “National Estuaries Week,” and to Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) for leading the Senate version (S.Res.418).

The end of the federal fiscal year is approaching quickly (September 30th), and all eyes are on Congress to see if they will pass a continuing resolution to extend the current budget. This would allow more time for Reserve supporters to reach out to key House and Senate members to request the needed higher operations funding levels. Stay tuned!