
TheSan Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (San Francisco Bay NERR) is one of 30 reserves established as part of theUnited States National Estuarine Research Reserve System.[1] The reserve is used to promoteSan Francisco Baywetlands andestuary research, education, and stewardship.[2]
The reserve’s headquarters is located atSan Francisco State University's Romberg Tiburon Campus.[2]

In the 1990s, Dr. Roger Crawford from SFSU received a grant from NOAA to explore the potential for establishing a NERR in San Francisco Bay. Dr. Mike Vasey was then appointed to lead the designation process. Dr. Vasey and a team of scientists recommended that the reserve be designed to include some of the last remaining high-quality tidal wetlands in the San Francisco Estuary. The reserve was designated in August 2003.[2]
The San Francisco Bay NERR consists of two sites in theSan Francisco Bay Area which total 3,710 acres:[2]
The reserve's lead federal agency is theNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the lead state agency isSan Francisco State University.[2]
There are numerous other agencies and organizations involved with the reserve, including:[2]