- About
- With 500+ faculty, staff and students and three campus locations, the Batten School & VIMS are equipped to tackle pressing challenges through research, education and advisory service.
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- Research & Advisory
- Purple marsh crabs are significantly disrupting carbon cycling in salt marshes along the East Coast of the U.S., according to a study led by Batten School & VIMS scientists.
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- Batten School
- The R. Todd Stravitz Scholars Program will provide full tuition support for students pursuing the new bachelor’s degree in coastal & marine sciences at the Batten School & VIMS.
  
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- Engage
- Popular, free camps enable rising third through eighth graders to learn about the Chesapeake Bay, coastal ecosystems and environmental stewardship.
  
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- News & Events
- National TRAP Program funds large-scale cleanup of discarded fishing gear, first round of subawards totaling more than $1.4M supports 11 projects focused on removing derelict fishing gear from coastal waters in nine U.S. states and Palau.
  
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- Giving
- As an expression of parental pride in their daughter, Taylor Spencer ‘83 and Martha Spencer recently established an undergraduate field research endowment at the Batten School & VIMS.
  
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Chesapeake Bay NERR in Virginia

Reserve Component Natural Resources Management Plans

Catlett Island Natural Resource Management Plan - Reilly, E., S. Lerberg, D. Hunt, W. Reay, E. Shields, A. Demeo, and G. Brooks. (2025) Catlett Islands Reserve Component Resource Management Plan. Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve - Virginia. Gloucester Point, VA. doi: 10.25773/8178-tn46

Goodwin Islands Natural Resource Management Plan - Erdle, S.Y. and K.E. Heffernan. 2005a. Management Plan for Goodwin Islands: Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve - Virginia. Natural Heritage Technical Report #05-03. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage. Richmond, VA. 45pp. plus appendices.

Sweet Hall Natural Resource Management Plan - Myers, R.K., K.E. Heffernan, P.P. Coulling, N. Van Alstine, A.C. Chazal, and S.Y. Erdle. 2007. Management Plan for Sweet Hall Marsh Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Natural Heritage Technical Report #07-09. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage. Richmond, Virginia. 39 pp. plus appendices.

Taskinas Creek Natural Resource Mangement Plan - Myers, R.K., K.E. Heffernan, P.P. Coulling, A. Belden, A.C. Chazal, and S.Y. Erdle. 2007. Management Plan for Taskinas Creek Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Natural Heritage Technical Report #07-10. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage. Richmond, Virginia. 35 pp. plus appendices.

Dragon Bridge Tract Natural Resources Management Plan - Stamp, S.E. 2008. Management Plan for Dragon Bridge Tract: Virginia Estuarine and Coastal Research Reserve. Dragon Run Special Area Management Plan #08-00. Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission. Saluda, Virginia. 34 pp. plus appendices.