3609 Hwy 24 (Ocean) | Newport, North Carolina 28570

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 29, 2003

Hope Sutton, Tidal Creek Co-Op
910-799-2667

Sally Steele, NC Coastal Federation
252-393-8185
sallys@nccoast.org

Celebration of Oysters Involves
Community in Oyster Reef Restoration

Date: November 8,2003
Time: 11am - 5 pm
Place: Tidal Creek Co-op and Grounds

     Wilmington – Oyster populations in New Hanover, Brunswick, and Pender counties have been declining for several decades as a result of water quality degradation and habitat alteration. Efforts are currently underway to restore oyster populations in the region. The North Carolina Coastal Federation conducts projects that return discarded oyster shell to local waters, building new oyster beds from stacked bags of oyster shell. The beds become habitat for larval oysters, juvenile fishes, and other marine creatures.
     Oysters and oyster beds play significant roles in the culture, economy, and ecology of coastal North Carolina. Oysters filter up to 50 gallons of water per day and provide habitat for a variety of marine organisms. Historically, they have been an economically significant fishery and have been central to traditional family celebrations in the coastal area.
During the Celebrate the Oyster event on November 8th, the public is invited to aid in these efforts by helping fill shell bags with oyster shell and by dropping off clean oyster shell that can be used in future projects. The goal for the day is to fill 200 bags to be used in ongoing habitat initiatives in Hewlett's Creek and Masonboro Sound.
     The day's events will include opportunities to meet Ted Wilgis, the Cape Fear Coastkeeper, and Tracy Skrabal, the Coastal Federation Senior Scientist and restoration expert, and learn more about Coastal North Carolina restoration efforts. Tidal Creek Co-op proudly sponsors the event, which will feature live music, free food, organic wine tasting, hands-on educational activities, environmental games, and recycled material arts and crafts.
     The day's events also serve as a benefit for the North Carolina Coastal Federation, the state's largest non-profit working to protect and restore the coastal environment, which relies largely on private donations and membership fees to fund its work. A raffle will be drawn at 5 pm; prizes include a Yak-board kayak, a boat trip with the Coastkeeper, and gift baskets from area businesses.
     More information about the North Carolina Coastal Federation can be found at www.nccoast.org
     More information about the events at Tidal Creek Co-op can be found at www.tidalcreek.coop