Learn Today . . . Stewards Tomorrow

     "In the end we will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand. We will understand only what we are taught." This popular Baba Dioum quote encompasses the goals of the North Carolina Coastal Federation's newly expanded Habitat Restoration and Education program. Based on the past success of our student restoration projects and new opportunities, NCCF is now focusing on student-directed habitat and shoreline restoration projects. This emphasis on restoration more closely aligns educational activities with NCCF's mission to provide opportunities for individuals to take an active role in the stewardship of our coastal waters and habitats. NCCF's Habitat Restoration and Education program is also further developing its classroom curriculum, teacher workshop opportunities and other activities that support these projects.
     The NCCF Habitat Restoration and Education Program seeks to restore some of our most threatened environments while simultaneously increasing the public's appreciation for the value and beauty of a variety of coastal habitats. This is coupled with providing hands-opportunities in their stewardship. Whether this be through growing Spartina Alterniflora seeds, bagging oyster shell to place on newly restored reefs, or offering information through workshops, NCCF believes hands-on restoration is the first step in becoming an active participant in coastal awareness.

NCCF Achieves Education Goals Through the Following Projects:

• Student Wetland Nurseries: The Wetland Nursery Program gives middle school students a sustained and hands-on opportunity to learn about wetlands and water quality, construct wetland nurseries at schools, cultivate wetland plants from seed, and use these plants to restore coastal shorelines in their communities.
• Oyster Education: High school students learn about oyster reef monitoring, the life cycle of the oyster, and help to collect data for use in future reefs.
• Habitat Restoration: The Habitat Restoration and Education Team works to integrate student involvement into many restoration projects, including living shorelines and oyster habitat restoration.
• Coastal Curriculum: NCCF's supplemental classroom curriculum focuses on specific North Carolina environmental issues and includes activities for use with all ages.
• Public Education: Information through our monthly cable show, NCCF publications, including our annual State of the Coast Report, workshops, and the Daland Nature Library, can be imperative to knowing more about what's happening in and around the coast.