A Taste of the Coast Celebration

Time is quickly running out to grab your tickets and join us at the Taste of the Coast Celebration on Saturday, September 20, at the Crystal Coast Civic Center. This is the Federation’s signature event and one you don’t want to miss! With a sampling of delicious local NC Oysters, amazing food, curated wines, live music, and a silent auction, there is something for everyone. Secure your tickets today! 

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2025 Pelican Awards

On Saturday evening, the Federation will be celebrating a group of outstanding coastal stewards who truly represent what it means to Work together for a Healthy Coast at our 22nd annual Pelican Awards.

“This year’s Pelican Award honorees continue to inspire us through their meaningful actions and lasting contributions to protect and restore our coast,” said Coastal Federation Executive Director Braxton Davis. “They remind us how special our coast is and how much it relies on active stewardship to thrive. These recipients—both longtime supporters and new partners—have generously shared their time, talents, and resources to advance the Federation’s mission.”

Read more about each of our award recipients on our website. 

Save the Coast, Become a Member!

Did you know that almost half of the Coastal Federation’s annual budget comes from gifts from people just like you? Your membership helps support our efforts to protect and restore our invaluable North Carolina coast, and right now is the perfect time to join us! If you sign up to become a member before September 27 (or refer a friend), you’ll be entered into our raffle for a chance to win an amazing weekend getaway.

You could win:

  • Weekend stay for two with breakfast at the Aloft Wilmington at Coastline Center
  • $100 gift certificate to PinPoint Restaurant

Refer a Friend!

After you join (or if you’re already a member), use this form to send an e-card to a friend inviting them to join the Federation. For each ecard you send before 5:00 pm EST on Sept. 27, 2025, you’ll get one entry into the raffle.

Join Today!

National Estuaries Week

This weekend marks the start of National Estuaries Week, and our staff is gearing up for a busy week celebrating these crucial ecosystems! Estuaries are semi-enclosed coastal bodies of water where freshwater from rivers and streams mixes with saltwater from the ocean, creating a unique and productive ecosystem.

National Estuaries Day was started in 1988 to promote the importance of estuaries and the need to protect them. In partnership with the National Estuaries Program, National Estuarine Research Reserve Association, Restore America’s Estuaries, and many other organizations, we have extended the festivities to a whole week. It is an annual celebration and campaign aimed at increasing public awareness of estuaries and encouraging people to become involved in the protection of these important natural resources.

Be sure to follow along on social media for fun facts on estuaries, and subscribe to our events calendar if you’d like to join us at any of the National Estuaries Week events, including Day at the Docks in Hatteras on Saturday, Sept. 20, and Estuaries Day at the Olde Beaufort Farmers’ Market on Sept. 27.

Reducing Stormwater Runoff

Recently, the Coastal Federation and partners completed two projects in the Wilmington area to help reduce stormwater runoff. The first project was completed at UNC Wilmington’s Brooks Field, where a 250-foot hard, compacted service road was retrofitted with permeable pavers that now soak up to 19,500 gallons of water each time it rains. The pavers help reduce nuisance flooding and the volume of polluted runoff flowing into the Bradley Creek watershed. 

The second project also involved the installation of permeable pavers, this time in the parking lot of Mad Mole Brewing. These pavers are designed to collect and soak in rainwater from the roof to reduce runoff flowing into the Bradley Creek watershed.

These projects are two of many completed by the Coastal Federation, UNCW, and the City of Wilmington’s Heal Our Waterways Program to implement the Bradley and Hewletts Creek Watershed Restoration Plan, with support from the North Carolina Division of Water Resources’ EPA Section 319 Water Quality Program.

Learn more about the Bradley and Hewletts Creek Watershed Restoration Plan by visiting our website. You can also watch this video by Fox Weather to learn more about the project at Mad Mole Brewing!

Fox Weather News Story

Oyster Month

October is Oyster Month in North Carolina, and we’re excited to shell-ebrate our favorite bivalves throughout the month! All month long, we’ll be highlighting the mighty oyster and efforts to restore their populations. Oysters play an important role in coastal communities. In the environment, oysters improve water quality and create habitat for other animals. Their unique flavor makes them a desirable dish, supporting the livelihoods of watermen and local economies across the state.

You can do your part to help oysters thrive by recycling your oyster shells. They are an important part of our restoration efforts and are desperately needed. The Coastal Federation maintains 30 public oyster shell drop-off locations along the coast and in the Raleigh area. 

Our staff are participating in several events related to oysters during NC Oyster Month. Be sure to follow us on social media to stay up to date!

A Roast for the Coast

Join the North Carolina Coastal Federation this fall at the beautiful New Hanover County Arboretum for our 2025 oyster roast, “A Roast for the Coast!” Enjoy a classic oyster roast featuring steamed local North Carolina oysters, a low-country boil, vegetarian options, and other southern favorites. 

Your registration includes two drink tickets for wine or beer, along with unlimited non-alcoholic beverages. 

Proceeds from this event will support the Federation’s efforts to restore our native oysters. This includes recycling oyster shells to create new oyster reefs along the coast and restoring local reefs in the lower Cape Fear River. The event will take place rain or shine, so please dress appropriately for the weather!

Register by 5:00 pm on Sept 30 and enjoy 10% off your ticket price, using the discount code EARLY.

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North Carolina Climate Week

NC Climate Week is happening from September 29 to October 3. The second annual NC Climate Week is organized by EarthShare NC and aims to empower individuals, businesses, nonprofits, and governments to collaborate on climate solutions and resilience across North Carolina.

Some of the Federation’s staff and partners will participate in various discussions and panels throughout the week; you can learn more about NC Climate Week here.

In the News