ORAL PRESENTER TITLE: Designation of a new National Estuarine Research Reserve for the bay of Green Bay ABSTRACT: The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay is leading the designation of a new National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) on the bay of Green Bay. The NERR system is a national network of 30 sites across the coastal US, including the Great Lakes, designed to protect and study estuaries and their coastal wetlands. At the local level, a Bay of Green Bay NERR will offer a coordinating force to manage, restore, and protect the Green Bay ecosystem, with a programmatic focus on four sectors: research, education, stewardship, and training. This presentation will review progress on the designation, including selection of the natural area sites and preparation of the first Management Plan. We will share the components of the management plan, which include the NERR’s programmatic foundations, visitor use plan, and resource protection plan. We will also discuss proposed priority coastal management issues and a timeline for community feedback. Find information about the Bay of Green Bay NERR designation at www.uwgb.edu/national-estuarine-research-reserves BIO: Emily Tyner is the Director of Freshwater Strategy at UW-Green Bay and the state lead on the designation of a new National Estuarine Research Reserve for the bay of Green Bay. Previously, she spent five field seasons as a biological technician at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Emily has experience in informal water education and developing and managing citizen science programs.