The Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research
Reserve (ESNERR) is located in the northeastern part of the estuary.

ESNERR is owned and managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, in partnership with NOAA and with support from the non profit Elkhorn Slough Foundation.  Kerstin Wasson is employed as Research Coordinator of ESNERR. Home to many marine mammals such as the endangered southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris), Elkhorn Slough falls within the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary limits with a marked border of mean high tide. To see a more detailed outline of the estuarine jurisdiction, click here.