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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 15, 2005

Lauren Kolodij
North Carolina Coastal Federation
252-393-8185

Katie Mosher
North Carolina Sea Grant
919-515-9069

2005 North Carolina Oyster
Restoration and Protection Summit

     Raleigh – In North Carolina, oysters are often described as a keystone species for the health of our coast. Not only are oysters harvested and cultured as a seafood delicacy, but they also filter our coastal waters. Oyster reefs also provide habitat for a multitude of species. Thus, the North Carolina Coastal Federation, in partnership with North Carolina Sea Grant, the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Program and Environmental Defense will host the 2005 North Carolina Oyster Restoration and Protection Summit.
     Shellfish harvesters, growers and gardeners, along with scientists, government officials, coastal residents and leaders of environmental groups have been invited to Raleigh for the summit designed to:

• Provide updates on oyster science and research;
• Describe existing and potential partnerships to fund restoration projects;
• Outline updates to a five-year Oyster Restoration and Protection Plan for the state.

     Media coverage of the summit is invited. The schedule includes:

Wednesday, Feb. 23
N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, Downtown Raleigh

• 12:30 to 4:45 pm in the museum auditorium: Summit opens with sessions including Funding Restoration: Coordination Pays! and Emerging Oyster Science: What Are We Learning?.
• 4:15 pm in the museum auditorium: Legislative Priorities with Marc Basnight, Senate President Pro Tempore.
• 6 to 8 pm in the museum lobby: Poster session and legislative reception will highlight two dozen current projects and partnerships.

Thursday, Feb.24
McKimmon Center at N.C. State University

• 8 am to Noon: Discussion groups on topics including oyster habitat and restoration; water quality protection and restoration; education and public involvement; and marketing and fisheries development.
• 1 pm: Comments from William G. Ross, secretary of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
  1:45 to 4 pm: Regional focus groups and closing remarks.

     A complete schedule is available from Lauren Kolodij at 252-393-8185, through Feb. 22. On Feb. 23-24, contact 910-232-6210. For a copy of the North Carolina Oyster Restoration and Protection Plan go to www.nccoast.org. For directions to the museum, go online to www.naturalsciences.org. For directions to the McKimmon Center, go online to www.mckimmon.ncsu.edu.