VIMS prof honored for contributions to national estuary network
Reay directs Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
Dr. William Reay of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science was honored with the highest award given by the National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) and its non-profit arm during their annual meeting in early November.
NERRS is a state-federal partnership established in 1972 through the Coastal Zone Management Act to protect and study estuarine systems. The 29 NERRS sites encompass more than 1.3 million acres along the nation’s coastline—from Chesapeake Bay to San Francisco Bay and from Florida to Alaska. The sites are managed on a daily basis by a state agency or university with input from local partners, with funding and national guidance from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
In presenting the award, Erica Seiden, Ecosystem Services Manager for NOAA's Office for Coastal Management, said “Willy’s accomplishments are significant and varied and speak to the variety of [his] skills. He believes wholeheartedly in the NERRS mission and is dedicated to ensuring we are living laboratories and national leaders in providing high quality, long-term data on estuaries.”
Lisa Auermuller, president of the National Estuarine Research Reserve Association, offered a list of quotes honoring Reay’s contributions. Read anonymously, these included: “An example of exemplary leadership and sustained commitment,” “A leading national voice and advocate for the NERRS,” “One of the most genuine, caring, and hardworking individuals I’ve ever worked with,” “Hands-on and willing to literally jump right in,” and “A constant reminder that even the small things make the biggest difference.”
Reay has a long history of outstanding contributions to NERRS, including service as NERRA president from 2013-15. A comment in Reay’s nomination package notes that his stint as NERRA president came at a difficult time, as “the national recession had caught up to the federal and state budget processes and the reserves were having a hard time with funding both at NOAA and with state partners.” Despite these challenges, Reay’s leadership helped NERRS add a new reserve, complete a Blue Ribbon Panel that positioned the system for strategic growth, and explore opportunities to create new partnerships.
During his time as director of CBNERR, which began in 1997, Reay has significantly enhanced the program’s service and offerings, including expansion of the Virginia Estuarine and Coastal Ocean Observing System (VECOS), assistance with deployment and operation of NOAA's York River CBIBs buoy,
Previous recipients of the NERRS/NERRA Outstanding Contributions Award are Elizabeth Blair (2017), Cory Riley and Edward Buskey (2016), Ginger Hinchcliff (2015), Dwayne Porter (2014), Laurie McGilvray and Lee Edmiston (2013), Gary Lytton and Chris Feurt (2012), Paul Dest and Steve Rumrill (2011), Cathy Angell and Peter Wellenberger (2010), Kate Barba and Michael Kennish (2009), Michele Dionne (2008), Terry Stevens (2007), and Mike DeLuca (2006).