The National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS or System) consists of estuarine areas of the United States and its territories designated and managed for research and educational purposes.
Each reserve within the system is chosen to represent a different bio-geographic region and to include
a variety of ecosystem types in accordance with the classification scheme of the national program as presented in 15 CFR § 92 1. By funding designated reserve agencies and universities to conduct land acquisition and construction projects that support the NERRS purpose, NOAA will strengthen protection of key land and water areas, enhance long-term protection of the habitats for research and education, and provide for facility and exhibit construction that meet the highest sustainable design standards possible.