2022 National Estuaries Week Recap
By Rob Shane
During the week of September 17-24, tens of thousands of coastal restoration, management, and recreation enthusiasts celebrated National Estuaries Week 2022.
More than 11,400 volunteers participated in 36 events in 11 different states as part of this year’s event. These volunteers assisted with trash cleanups, native tree and grass plantings, paddling events, and other restoration and recreation activities all in the spirit of celebrating and learning about our coasts and estuaries.
Additionally, this year’s event, hosted by RAE, the Association of National Estuarine Research Reserves (NERRA) and the Association of National Estuary Programs (ANEP) received bipartisan support in Congress, with resolutions passing unanimously in both the House and Senate.
Particularly, we would like to recognize that Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (RI) and the co-chairs of the Bipartisan Estuary Caucus, Bill Posey (FL), Suzanne Bonamici (OR), Brian Mast (FL), and Rick Larsen, for their leadership in introducing the Resolution in their respective Chambers. In total, the Senate Resolution received 21 cosponsors and the House version included nine. The full list of Cosponsors is below:
Senate:
Sheldon Whitehouse (RI), Tammy Baldwin (WI), Cory Booker (NJ), Maria Cantwell (WA), Ben Cardin (MD), Tom Carper (DE), Bill Cassidy (LA), Chris Coons (DE), Dianne Feinstein (CA), Maggie Hassan (NH), Mazie Hirono (HI), Tim Kaine (VA), Angus King (ME), Jeff Merkley (OR), Chris Murphy (CT), Rob Portman (OH), Jack Reed (RI), Marco Rubio (FL), Jeanne Shaheen (NH), Chris Van Hollen (MD), Mark Warner (VA)
House of Representatives:
Bill Posey (FL), Suzanne Bonamici (OR), Brian Mast (FL), Rick Larsen (WA), Chris Pappas (NH), Peter DeFazio (OR), Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA), Ann M. Kuster (NH)
In addition to the above-mentioned success, supporters also made their voices heard across social media channels in support of Estuaries Week, taking advantage of a national stage to show off their own efforts and coastal communities. In total, more than 900 public posts were delivered using the #EstuariesWeek hashtag on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
We would also like to thank our partners at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of Coastal Management for their continued support of National Estuaries Week since its inception in 1988.
For more details, including comments in support from the Cosponsors, read Senator Whitehouse’s press release and Congressman Posey’s press release.
Rob Shane is the Communications Manager for Restore America’s Estuaries. He is based in Alexandria, VA. His favorite estuary is the Pamlico Sound but you can often find him in the waters of the Chesapeake Bay kayaking and fishing.
