|
|
Historical Highlights
- NCCF merged its education program into its restoration program, giving NCCF a unique niche within the environmental education community. The shift in programming ties student curriculum and projects to NCCF's successful restoration efforts and enables students to have an active role in the stewardship and restoration of coastal and estuarine habitats.
- North Carolina Wildlife Federation presented NCCF the prestigious Governor's Conservation Achievement Award for 2004 Land Conservationist of the Year. The award was given for NCCF's North River Farms restoration project, the largest private wetlands restoration project in North Carolina history.
- NCCF purchased 52-acres near Holly Ridge in Onslow County at Morris Landing on Stump Sound on February 27. The waterfront landing, purchased through the NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund, was dedicated on May 7th. The sound front shoreline will be protected and restored using one of NCCF's "Living Shoreline" rock sill and marsh planting projects. The site will be used for education and public access as well as by the NC Division of Marine Fisheries to recycle, stockpile and load oyster shells onto its barges to restore oyster reefs in nearby waters.
- The Cape Fear Coastkeeper Ted Wilgis participated in a coalition led by the Division of Marine Fisheries to implement the oyster shell-recycling program in North Carolina. Recycling bins are now available in many coastal counties including New Hanover, Pender and Onslow counties. Along with shell recycled from oyster roasts and restaurants the collected oyster shell will be used in local oyster restoration projects.
- Rachael Wagaman was hired in March as a full-time Volunteer Coordinator to meet the growing needs for active volunteers in all areas of NCCF program work.
- Sarah King was hired in March as our first Habitat Restoration Specialist to assist with NCCF's expanding restoration program.
- NCCF hosted an "Encore for Oysters" Conference March 16-17 in Morehead City. The conference was attended by almost 300 participants who heard about successful restoration efforts in the nation, recent research, and the plan for oyster habitat restoration and water quality protection for North Carolina.
- On behalf of NCCF and several other plaintiffs, the Southern Environmental Law Center filed a suit against the Rules Review Commission (RRC) for rejecting stormwater rules created by the Environmental Management Commission (EMC) and challenging the constitutionality of the RCC.
- The first Go Native Plant Sale held in April at NCCF headquarters was a blooming success. The three-day plant sale and workshops coordinated by the Cape Lookout Coastkeeper Frank Tursi encouraged the use of native plants in landscaping and raised funds for the Coastkeeper Program.
- The Festival Park Restoration Team (of which NCCF was a member) was awarded a 2004 Coastal America Partnership Award for its restoration project at Roanoke Island Festival Park in Manteo.
- NCCF and the Shellfish Growers Association, represented by the Southern Environmental Law Center, settled the federal Clean Water Act lawsuit with Holly Ridge Associates. The agreement resulted in environmental restoration of ditched wetlands, 200 acres of conservation easements, agreement to remove the filled causeway at Permuda Island, and the offsite restoration of 15 acres of freshwater wetlands.
- Coastal Cohorts, Don Dixon, Bland Simpson and Jim Wann, donated their talents for a summer run of King Mackerel & The Blues Are Running. The very popular show featured coastal stories and songs with sellout crowds each night of the two-week show.
- A stormwater demonstration project was completed at the Crystal Coast Visitor's Center in Morehead City. The project included the construction of a wetland to treat stormwater, stream restoration, and shoreline and bank stabilization.
- As part of the Coastkeeper outreach program, the Cape Fear and Cape Hatteras Coastkeepers conducted summer BeachWalks, and the Cape Lookout Coastkeeper held fishing workshops at Cape Lookout National Seashore. More than 500 individuals joined a Coastkeeper for a summer program.
- NCCF helped to promote ten Coastal Habitat Protection Plan (CHPP) meetings around the state so that citizens could provide input on recommendations resulting from public meetings held in 2003.
- The Cape Lookout Coastkeeper worked with Harkers Island citizens to successfully oppose a proposed marina that violated the county's land-use plan.
- With a head's up from the Cape Hatteras Coastkeeper Jan DeBlieu, the NC Division of Coastal Management and the US Army Corps of Engineers cited the state Department of Transportation for illegally dredging a channel in Currituck County.
- NCCF was awarded a grant from the NC Division of Water Quality for a water quality monitoring project in the White Oak River, following a shellfish closure. NCCF staff and volunteers will monitor the river and develop a Total Maximum Daily Load Limit (TMDL) for pollution sources in the White Oak River.
- Sarah Phillips took over the reins of Education Coordinator in July from Jenn Beck who decided to pursue a masters degree in habitat restoration.
- Seven schools participated in NCCF's Student Wetland Nursery Program, cultivating spartina plants in wetland nurseries built at schools, and planting 12,500 plants to restore 3,000 feet of coastal shoreline.
- NCCF's annual State of the Coast Summit was held October 1 in Morehead City. The 10th State of the Coast Report was released, and addressed Global Warming and its impacts on coastal NC. Pelican Awards were presented to 21 individuals for outstanding efforts to protect and restore the coast. Willie and Feather Phillips received NCCF's Lifetime Achievement Award.
- NCCF's staff lobbyist worked with Rep. Danny McComas (R-New Hanover) to craft a legislative compromise for Fort Fisher State Recreational Area that allows beach driving during fall and winter months, but bans beach driving during spring and summer months when shorebird foraging and sea turtle nesting on the beach is high.
- Permit applications prepared by North Carolina State University were submitted to restore 111 acres of wetland at North River Farms. Restoration features include 53 acres of bottomland hardwood forest, 35 acres of tidal marsh, 23 acres of riparian freshwater wetlands, 1,900 feet of freshwater stream, 4,577 feet of tidal creeks, and 2,118 feet of tidal creek fingers. Construction on the project should begin in early 2005.
- The Carteret County Commissioners appointed Jim Stephenson, NCCF Program Analyst, to a three-year term on the Carteret County Beach Commission in October. The beach commission is charged with making recommendations on the expenditure of funds for shore protection and beach public access.
|
|
09-03-02: Wildlife refuge recovering after fire
