The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has selected UW-Green Bay as a preferred National Estuary Research Reserve (NERR) site, making Green Bay the third site in the Great Lakes and the sole representative for the Lake Michigan-Huron biogeographic region. Support from the Fund will create a position at UW-Green Bay responsible for completing the necessary steps to obtain NERR designation. The designation comes with significant financial support from the federal government, educational programs and resources, and a local coordinating force to better manage, restore, and promote the Green Bay ecosystem.