RESEARCH

COMMITTED TO LEARNING EXPERIENCES

LEARN MORE

COMMITTED TO LEARNING EXPERIENCES

The Research Department monitors water, weather, and wildlife to detect short-term events and long-term change. Like watchdogs for wildlife and wild places, researchers can detect differences before they become problems for the environment, community, or local businesses.

Scientists also conduct research projects, develop maps for scientific, management, and educational projects, and encourage graduate students and visiting scientists to take advantage of the 110,000 acres of protected water and land to increase understanding of our unique habitat and natural resource management.

E-Library: Fact Sheets, Reports, and other Publications

GIS MAPPING

Learn More

MONITORING

Learn More

COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH

learn more

COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH

Collaboration | Rookery Bay Research Reserve
Rookery Bay Estuarine Research Reserve is a platform for visiting scientists and student training to have the opportunity to study our unique ecosystem. Within our research department, we have grant proposal development, technical assistance, as well as collaborative engagement.

OPPORTUNITIES

Opportunities | Rookery Bay Research Reserve
The Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Fellowship is a two-year opportunity for a graduate student to address a key coastal management question through research that will help scientists and communities understand coastal challenges.

The NERR Science Collaborative, managed by the University of Michigan, offers resources, webinars, and tools for collaborative programs with NERRs. Check here for new funding announcements.

MANGROVE SYMPOSIUM

Rookery Bay Research Reserve celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2018 with a mangrove symposium that featured historic and current research on mangrove ecology within southwest Florida. Working groups developed plans for long-term research, management goals, and holistic restoration.

CURRENT PROJECTS

We coordinate with science and management partners to investigate coastal challenges and assess solutions. Examples of our current and recent work include:

  • Mapping Habitat Change
  • Modeling Ecosystem Services
  • Hurricane Resilience for FL and Puerto Rico
  • Blue Carbon for Fruit Farm Creek
  • Acoustic Monitoring
  • Mangrove structure after hurricane Irma
  • ACUNE

VISITING SCIENTISTS

Learn More
Drone Image of Rookery Bay Research Reserve | National Estuarine Research Reserve

Make a Difference

The Research Department oversees monitoring programs and collaborates with scientists globally on projects impacting our local environment.  Collectively, these efforts serve as the backbone for science-to-management decisions impacting our coast today and 50 years into the future.

Become a Friend of Rookery Bay

When you choose to support Rookery Bay, know that you are contributing to the preservation of this unique ecosystem.
Donate Today