Water Worth Protecting
August is National Water Quality Month, and ensuring our coastal waters are clean and healthy is part of the Federation’s core mission.
From helping improve stormwater systems and reducing runoff to restoring wetlands, the Federation’s water quality program is an integral part of our ongoing work to protect and restore the North Carolina coast for generations to come.
Fifty years ago, dumping toxic waste into bodies of water was legal. The Clean Water Act changed that in 1972, and the Safe Drinking Water Act followed in 1974 to protect what comes out of the tap.
While we’ve made progress, the work is far from over; emerging threats, like PFAS, remind us that protecting clean water requires continued attention, advocacy, and action.
Cheers to Clean Water
Every time you order oysters or take the kids to the beach, someone has already checked the water. You can meet him at this month’s Green Drinks speaker series in Morehead City, where the Water Quality Month Celebrations continue.
We hope you’ll grab a drink and join us for a conversation with Shannon Jenkins, who runs the state’s Shellfish Sanitation and Recreational Water Quality Section the team that decides when shellfish waters open and close and when a swimming advisory goes up.
Those calls carry a lot of weight on both sides. Close too slowly and people get sick; close too quickly and growers lose a harvest day, and towns lose a beach day. Shannon will explain the important work his team does to monitor coastal waters, make the call, and keep North Carolina’s seafood and beaches safe, and the industries that depend on them running.
This month’s Green Drinks event will once again be at the Rooftop Bar at Jack’s on the Waterfront on Wednesday, August 27, from 5:30 to 7:00 pm.
An Evening of Celebrating Stewardship
Earlier this month, the Federation had the honor of celebrating exceptional coastal stewards at this year’s Pelican Awards. From restoring habitat and protecting public lands to educating future generations, preserving coastal history, and strengthening communities, this year’s recipients demonstrate the many ways people can make a difference for our coast. They include Joy Cook, who recently retired after nine years as superintendent of Jockey’s Ridge State Park; Tom Kirmeyer and Nan Bowles, who sold their Wards Creek property in Carteret County at roughly half its market value so it would stay undeveloped; and Conserve the Point, the community group working to protect the south end of Topsail Island.
We also celebrated two individuals whose lifetime contributions have shaped North Carolina’s coast for generations. Glenn Blackburn and Dr. Stan Riggs both received Lifetime Achievement Awards: Blackburn for excellence in coastal history and conservation writing, and Dr. Riggs for his distinguished leadership and lifetime excellence in coastal research, science, and stewardship. Read More about each award recipient here.
Capturing the Coast
We’re excited to share that the Coastal Review team has once again been recognized as one of the best online publications. Coastal Review is taking home five NC Press Association Awards, including photographer Dylan Ray. Dylan is the 2026 Hugh Morton Photographer of the Year, which is considered the most prestigious photography award the NC Press Association gives out.
In addition to Dylan’s award, Coastal Review staff writer Trista Talton received first place in the News Enterprise Reporting category for her piece, “Oak Island residents say oceanfront lots unsuited for homes.”
Assistant Editor Jennifer Allen was awarded second place in the Multimedia Project category for “‘Smell of money’: Menhaden Chanteymen’s music still echoes.”
Catherine Kozak took home two awards: second place in Beat Feature Reporting for her coverage of red wolf recovery efforts, and third place in Beat News Reporting for her reporting on barrier island challenges, including the two-part series “Shifting sands, hardened beaches: A new review.“
Read more about the awards the Coastal Review staff took home here — and while you’re there, subscribe to get Coastal Review in your inbox each morning!
Sip and Savor the Flavors of the Coast
Have you made plans to join us on September 12 on Bogue Sound for the event of the summer?
There is still time to grab tickets for our annual Taste of the Coast Celebration. The festivities will include food and wine pairings, fresh N.C. oysters (raw and steamed), live music, a beautiful view of the sunset over the water, and a wonderful group of coastal supporters! You’ll also get to meet the oyster growers themselves, who will be serving their own harvests and can tell you firsthand what clean water means for their businesses.
Back again this year is the outstanding silent auction featuring the best of the coast, from weekend trips, boat tours, artwork, and more, as well as live music, local seafood, and great company. Bidding is open now and runs through the event!
We hope you’ll join us on Saturday, September 12, 6:30 to 9:00 pm, at the Crystal Coast Civic Center.
A Summer of Learning
Our team loved working with Seneca and Meaira this summer! As our 2026 Stanback Fellow, Seneca helped us with outreach events, educational programs, and restoration monitoring.
One of her favorite projects was donning a wetsuit to help survey and explore the incredible seagrass meadows. She also conducted several spatial analytics projects to create an interactive easement monitoring dashboard for the Federation, which helps us manage and protect more than a quarter million acres of coastal land.
In our southeast office, Meaira was a joy to work with! She spent her summer joining meetings and events like the Coastal STEM Career Fair, exploring the salt marsh, and witnessing the removal of an abandoned, derelict vessel.
And as we say goodbye to Meaira and Seneca, we are also welcoming Dustin Lamb.
This internship was made possible through funding from the New Hanover Community Endowment and was created in partnership with Cape Fear Community College’s Marine Technology Program. The goal of the internship is to provide a paid, hands-on learning opportunity for a CFCC Marine Technology student while supporting the Federation’s place-based summer youth education programming, field experiences, and community-based coastal stewardship efforts.
Dustin is a student in the Marine Technology Program at Cape Fear Community College with a passion for protecting North Carolina’s coastal environment. Originally from southeastern North Carolina, Dustin has participated in numerous field experiences throughout the Wilmington area, gaining firsthand knowledge of coastal habitats and the importance of connecting people to the natural resources around them.
As part of his internship, Dustin will help support our education programs, assist with field activities, prepare materials and supplies, and participate in hands-on coastal stewardship projects throughout the Southeast region. He may also have the opportunity to support marine debris-related fieldwork, restoration activities, and other projects that improve the health and resilience of North Carolina’s coast.
Dustin is eager to build on his field experience, expand his skills, contribute to meaningful conservation work, and learn from professionals working to protect our coastal resources.
Career Fair
Escape to Ocracoke
How does a weekend getaway for two in Ocracoke sound?
Well, we have an incredible opportunity just for you during the Federation’s summer membership drive raffle! Join us in our mission to protect and restore the breathtaking beauty of North Carolina’s coast, and you could be the lucky winner of a memorable weekend in Ocracoke! The prize includes two nights at Crews Inn plus special gift cards for local businesses. Picture yourself sipping coffee at Ocracoke Coffee and enjoying a delightful meal at the Back Porch Restaurant, all included!
Becoming a member enters you in the raffle. Join by 5:00 pm on September 26, and we’ll draw the winner on October 6.
Already a member? No sweat! Share the love by sending this e-card to your friends. For every card you send, you’ll earn an additional entry into the raffle. It’s a win-win! Together, we can make a difference while dreaming of sandy shores and sunny skies.
Don’t miss out on this chance to connect, relax, and enjoy!
Leave a Legacy
One of the easiest ways to help protect the North Carolina coast for generations to come is to include the North Carolina Coastal Federation in your will or estate plan. August is National Make-A-Will Month—a perfect time to create your will for the first time, or to review your existing estate plan to be sure it reflects your values and supports the people and causes that matter to you.
If you’d like to leave a lasting legacy for the coast, you can simply name the North Carolina Coastal Federation in your will or as a beneficiary on a retirement account. This simple act can make a lasting difference for our beautiful coast.
Questions? Contact Sarah King at sarahk@nccoast.org or 252-393-8185 for more information or to share any special requests.
In the News
- ‘If there’s magic’: Coastal Federation honors water’s guardians – Coastal Review
- Workshop aims to help NC coastal communities tackle abandoned boats, aging docks – WECT
- Oyster growers invited to help shape future shellfish lease siting in Pender, Onslow counties – WWAY
- Eight projects funded to strengthen environmental stewardship across Eastern NC – WCTI
- Wilmington’s ‘sick’ tidal creeks to get another look | Exclusive – Star News Coastal
- Federation honors 2026 Pelican Award recipients – Island Free Press