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Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (WBNERR) is a living laboratory
and regional resource at one of the Northeast’s most studied estuaries. Slated for
development, most of the Reserve lands were bought by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
at the urging of the Citizens for the Protection of Waquoit Bay (CPWB) in the early
1980’s. In 1988, the Reserve was designated a National Estuarine Research Reserve
for the purpose of studying this area in order to improve the understanding of coastal
ecosystems and human influences on them, then translating that information to promote
more informed decision making regarding coastal resources. Waquoit Bay is a representative
example of shallow bays throughout the Northeastern U.S., so research here improves
the understanding of these areas in general and promotes stewardship of the coast
throughout the region. Today, the Reserve continues to work with partners to preserve
land and water and related ecosystems, investigate compelling issues facing our
coast, and provide education to students, teachers, coastal decision-makers and
community members.
The Reserve is part of the Massachusetts State Parks system and is one of 27 sites
in the U.S. that comprise the National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS).
The Waquoit Bay Reserve is administered by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation
and Recreation in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
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