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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 19, 2004

Dan Oliver, Progress Energy
Sally Steele, NCCF Development Director
Progress Energy: 919-534-8946
NCCF: 252-393-8185

Progress Energy Backs Student
Wetland Program

     Ocean – This spring middle school students will be working to create new habitat along the coast. A $25,000 grant from the Progress Energy Foundation to the North Carolina Coastal Federation will enable the nonprofit environmental group to expand its student wetland nursery program. Dan Oliver, Community Relations Manager for Progress Energy presented the grant award to the Coastal Federation on February 19.
     "Progress Energy has a solid commitment to the environment and to education," said Mr. Oliver. "By funding this program, we are able to help students expand their understanding of the coastal environment and engage them in hands on projects that directly improve water quality and habitat. It's a great combination."
     The program, introduced last year with a grant from Progress Energy, proved to be successful by every measure. One hundred and seventy students participated in the construction of six wetland nurseries at their schools. Wetland grass seedlings were then delivered to the nurseries and grew under the watchful eye of students over a two to three month period. Once the grasses matured, students planted them at waterfront sites selected by the Coastal Federation as good candidates for restoration. Among those sites were the Duke Marine Lab, the NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores and North River Farms.
     NCCF Executive Director Todd Miller explained, "The students love rolling up their sleeves to build the nurseries, watching the wetland plants under their care and then planting the plants along a shoreline - knowing that their actions help to make the coast a healthier place. And the shoreline projects are all doing extremely well – even after Hurricane Isabel."
     The Progress Energy grant means that the Coastal Federation can now build on the success of its popular program for schools. In addition to growing wetland plants at the existing school nurseries, education staff will begin a seed collection program, reducing the number of plant seedlings that have to be purchased. Seeds are being cultivated now in the greenhouse next to the NCCF Learning Center. NCCF Educators will also conduct workshops for teachers so that teachers can make better use of the curriculum offered by the Federation, and will visit the classroom to conduct activities that support the program. And of course, NCCF staff is identifying suitable shorelines for the students' restoration projects.
     Dan Oliver summarizes why Progress Energy is attracted to this program, "We estimate that more than 200 students will be actively engaged in learning to nurture the environment, and more than 1,500 feet of shoreline will be restored in 2004 as a direct result of students' efforts. We think that's a good return on our investment."