The National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) Science Collaborative is dedicated to supporting science that informs coastal and estuarine decision-making. Managed by the University of Michigan’s Water Center under a cooperative agreement with NOAA, the Collaborative works to address essential coastal management challenges faced by reserves. Its mission is to enhance collaborative research programs that deliver meaningful project opportunities and maximize benefits for the NERRS and its stakeholders.

The Collaborative provides a range of services, including funding for user-driven research, capacity building for reserves, and the sharing of vital research outputs. Through initiatives like the Collaborative Science for Estuaries Webinar Series, the team fosters knowledge exchange among stakeholders, ensuring that critical coastal issues are addressed with informed expertise.

Since its inception in 1997, the Collaborative has evolved to focus on user engagement, adapting its approaches based on ongoing assessment and feedback. By continuously iterating its processes and priorities, the NERRS Science Collaborative remains committed to improving coastal decision-making through responsive and engaged scientific collaboration.