GREAT BAY NERR MANAGEMENT PLAN 2020-2025

PUBLIC INPUT SESSION FEBRUARY 24 2020

AGENDA

6:00 Welcome

6:05 Purpose and context

6:10 An orientation to the plan

6:25 Review highlights from the plan

7:00 Questions and comments

8:00 Adjourn

PURPOSE AND DRIVERS OF THE MANAGEMENT PLAN

NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE MISSION AND GOALS

Vision: Resilient estuaries and coastal watersheds where human and natural communities thrive.

Mission: To practice and promote stewardship of coasts and estuaries through innovative research, education, and training using a place-based system of protected areas.

Goal: Enhance and inspire stewardship, protection, and management of estuaries and their watersheds in coastal communities through place-based approaches.

Goal: Improve the scientific understanding of estuaries and their watersheds through the development and application of reserve research, data, and tools.

Goal: Advance environmental appreciation and scientific literacy, allowing for science-based decisions that positively affect estuaries, watersheds, and coastal communities.

NH FISH AND GAME MISSION

As guardian of New Hampshire's fish, wildlife, and marine resources, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department works in partnership with the public to:

Conserve, manage, and protect these resources and their habitats;

Inform and educate the public about these resources;

Provide the public with opportunities to use and appreciate these resources.

COASTAL NH DRIVERS

ORIENTATION TO THE PLAN

Where to find it: www.greatbay.org

There is an integrated strategic plan, and a plan for each required program: Research, Education, Stewardship, Research and Monitoring, Coastal Training Program and we also include our Volunteer Program

There are also chapters associated with administration, land protection, public access, and facilities planning

Each chapter has background information that explains the current status; identifies partners, opportunities and challenges; and states goals, objectives and strategies.

GBNERR STRATEGIC PLAN

GOAL 1

Coastal scientists and managers understand how Great Bay is functioning now, how it may function in the future, and how that is influenced by and will impact people in the watershed.

OBJECTIVES

1.1: To understand, protect, and restore the structure and function of Great Bay estuarine ecosystems

1.2: To understand the vulnerability and resiliency of Great Bay ecosystems and communities in relation to key stressors.

1.3: To protect representative habitats within the NERR that support native wildlife.

GBNERR STRATEGIC PLAN

GOAL 2

People make personal and professional decisions that help restore and protect ecosystem function while advancing social priorities.

OBJECTIVES

2.1: Reserve staff understand how people make professional and personal decisions that could impact Great Bay.

2.2: People have clear information that translates local science.

2.3: People understand the potential consequences and trade-offs of their actions and decisions.

2.4: People recognize that they are an integral part of the Great Bay ecosystem and are inspired to and supported in making choices that protect and restore Great Bay.

RESEARCHADVANCE THE SCIENTIFIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE CONDITION, STRUCTURE, AND FUNCTION OF GREAT BAY ESTUARINE ECOSYSTEMS.

R1: Publications, data sets, regional assessments, national products, GIS tools, maps, guidance documents, and white papers produced at the Reserve are used by the scientific and management communities.

R2: High quality datasets contribute to regulatory decisions related to water quality and habitat protection and restoration.

R3: GBNERR creates, improves, or contributes to standards, protocols, and templates for collecting and analyzing data across geographies.

R4: Restoration and land protection prioritization tools and maps created by or in partnership with GBNERR are used by NHFG and land management partners.

RESEARCHADVANCE THE SCIENTIFIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE CONDITION, STRUCTURE, AND FUNCTION OF GREAT BAY ESTUARINE ECOSYSTEMS.

R5: New protocols and tools are tested and implemented to enhance monitoring efforts in Great Bay.

R6: Existing partners are well-coordinated and new partnerships are developed to fill physical and social science gaps.

R7: GBNERR is a valued contributor to national and regional NERRS projects and products.

R8: New Hampshire Fish and Game and GBNERR education, stewardship, and CTP sectors are supported by the science that is generated within Great Bay and have access to expertise to plan and implement their programs.

R9: Students, citizens, and volunteers are engaged in GBNERR science and understand how their efforts are connected to the GBNERR mission and the overall health of the estuary.

EDUCATIONADVANCE ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS, APPRECIATION, SCIENTIFIC LITERACY, AND STEWARDSHIP OF ESTUARIES, COASTAL HABITATS AND WATERSHEDS THROUGH INTEGRATED AND INNOVATIVE INTERPRETATION OF SOLID SCIENTIFIC PRINCIPLES.

E1: Students who participate in K-12 programming have the opportunity to apply age appropriate STEM concepts through hands on activities.

E2: Everyone who participates in an education program at GBNERR has increased understanding of the natural and/or cultural history of Great Bay.

E3: Everyone who participates in an education program at GBNERR is aware of how people are connected to estuaries and has the opportunity to create a personal connection with Great Bay.

E4: Everyone who participates in a GBNERR education program is inspired and supported to make personal decisions that can help maintain or improve the condition of Great Bay.

E5: Students and volunteers that assist with GBNERR education programs are well prepared, well supported, and have opportunities for personal and professional growth at GBNERR.

EDUCATIONADVANCE ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS, APPRECIATION, SCIENTIFIC LITERACY, AND STEWARDSHIP OF ESTUARIES, COASTAL HABITATS AND WATERSHEDS THROUGH INTEGRATED AND INNOVATIVE INTERPRETATION OF SOLID SCIENTIFIC PRINCIPLES.

E6: Teachers who attend trainings at GBNERR are inspired, prepared and supported in teaching estuarine concepts to meet educational requirements.

E7: GBNERR education programs incorporate GBNERR site features, local science, NOAA science, and NERRS science in programs, messaging and exhibits.

E8: The diversity of stakeholders involved in GBNERR estuarine education programs is expanded.

E9: The effectiveness of GBNERR education programming is better known through continual evaluation.

COASTAL TRAINING PROGRAMPROMOTE AND SUPPORT SCIENCE-BASED DECISIONS THAT POSITIVELY AFFECT ESTUARIES, WATERSHEDS, AND COASTAL COMMUNITIES

CTP1: By 2025, 75% of CTP participants will recognize the Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve as a leading source of scientific information pertaining to coastal resource management.

CTP2: By 2025, 90% of CTP participants report the intent to apply the products and services provided through the Coastal

Training Program to make decisions that will sustain estuarine ecosystems.

CTP3: By 2025, 75% of CTP participants report increased knowledge about how their management decisions have an impact on coastal resources.

CTP4: By 2025, 60% of CTP participants report enhanced relationships and/networks with stakeholder groups and service providers to address coastal issues.

CTP5: By 2025, GBNERR CTP incorporates five new science, stewardship, and education efforts to integrate CTP with the Reserve and NHFG science and expertise.

VOLUNTEER PROGRAMSTRONG PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY ENHANCE PROTECTION AND STEWARDSHIP OF THE GREAT BAY ESTUARY.

V1: Programmatic needs of GBNERR staff are understood and incorporated into volunteer and internship opportunities.

V2: Volunteers and interns know what is expected and are trained and supported by both the Volunteer Coordinator and the respective program coordinator in completing their work.

V3: Volunteers and interns feel connected to Great Bay and to GBNERR’s mission as a result of their time with the organization. They understand the GBNERR presence/properties around GB and the connection to NHFG and NOAA.

V4: Volunteers and interns feel valued by GBNERR and understand how their efforts are connected to important work in the estuary.

RESOURCE PROTECTION AND STEWARDSHIPPRACTICE AND PROMOTE LAND PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES THAT SUSTAIN WILDLIFE AND WATER QUALITY

NR1. Reserve lands are managed in accordance to applicable federal and state regulations and policies and enforced to conserve habitat and water quality.

NR2. Rare and endangered species and associated habitats are protected within GBNERR.

NR3. Land protection and management practices at GBNERR support maintaining or improving habitat conditions and water quality within the Great Bay watershed.

NR4. Human impacts on wildlife habitat and water quality are understood and minimized through conservation education, outreach, and communication.

PUBLIC ACCESS AND VISITOR USE VISITORS AND PARTNERS INCREASE ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS AND APPRECIATION, SCIENTIFIC UNDERSTANDING, AND PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL STEWARDSHIP OF ESTUARIES WHEN THEY VISIT RESERVE LANDS AND WATERS.VUPA 1: Maintain and improve appropriate public access sites within the GBNERR boundary to ensure they are safe, well marked, and interpreted when appropriate.

VUPA2: Promote sustainable and compatible public visitation of GBNERR lands and water through communicating with the public and creating resources for them to learn about Reserve properties and how to enjoy them.

VUPA3: Visitors to GBNERR have experiences that deepen their appreciation for Great Bay and inspire actions that will protect and restore it.

VUPA 4: Visiting scientists and students use GBNERR as a platform for biophysical and social science research.

VUPA 5: Educators and training partners seek out GBNERR as a place to conduct programs and connect to Great Bay.

FACILITIES DEVELOPMENT DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN FACILITIES THAT SUPPORT THE PROGRAMMATIC WORK OF THE RESERVE, INSPIRE VISITORS TO CARE ABOUT AND FOR GREAT BAY, AND DEMONSTRATE SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCE BEST PRACTICES.

F1. Reserve staff have the space to adequately perform their education, training, stewardship, research, administrative, and community engagement work.

F2. Volunteers, interns, fellows, key programmatic partners, and the Great Bay Stewards have appropriate space to operate in partnership with Reserve staff.

F3. Participants in Reserve programming and visitors to GBNERR increase their willingness and ability to act in the interest of the Great Bay watershed because if their experience at the Reserve campus.

LAND ACQUISITIONADVANCE THE PROTECTION OF CRITICAL ESTUARINE RESOURCES AND ASSOCIATED UPLANDS OF THE GREAT BAY ESTUARY

LA1: Land protection partners have the science and tools needed to prioritize land protection efforts.

LA2: NHFG and Great Bay Resource Protection Partnership land protection priorities are implemented through GBNERR land protection efforts.

LA3: Land protection partners have the technical assistance needed to complete projects that advance the Great Bay Resource Protection Partnership goals.

LA4: Land protection partners in the Great Bay region explore creative funding sources and partners to implement priority projects.

LA5: Land conservation goals and land use planning efforts use shared science, messaging, and goals to advance ecosystem health.

ADMINISTRATIONENSURE THAT THE GREAT BAY NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE HAS THE FACILITIES, PARTNERS, STAFFING, FINANCIAL RESOURCES,AND APPROPRIATE POLICIES TO FULFILL THE GBNERR MISSION

A1: Ensure that GBNERR staff are well trained, motivated, function as a team and contributing to the goals of the organization.

A2: Continually improve administrative processes to improve budgeting, accounting, and planning practices.

A3: Promote awareness and understanding of local, regional, and national issues affecting the health and resilience of the nation’s estuaries through a variety of print and virtual media, outreach activities, and partnerships.

A4: Create effective communication and administrative pathways to facilitate opportunities to work with other NHFG divisions, Great Bay Stewards, NOAA, and other key partners in the region.

ADMINISTRATIONENSURE THAT THE GREAT BAY NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE HAS THE FACILITIES, PARTNERS, STAFFING, FINANCIAL RESOURCES,AND APPROPRIATE POLICIES TO FULFILL THE GBNERR MISSION

A4: Ensure the relevance and increase the visibility and impact of GBNERR work through intentional engagement with the Great Bay community and Reserve partners.

A5: Ensure that GBNERR people and infrastructure are safe and resilient through emergency and disaster response planning and preparedness activities.

A6: Create integrated programs that support improved understanding about Great Bay and an engaged citizenry that is prepared to act.

A7: A more diverse community of people are engaged in GBNERR, and therefore connected to Great Bay and coastal management issues.

QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS

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Photo credit: Andy Morffew