OCEAN — The North Carolina Coastal Federation received $1.088 million in funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to continue its oyster restoration work in Pamlico Sound. Construction on the second phase of the project is slated to begin next January. This is the second year the federation has received funding from NOAA’s Community-based Restoration…
Click the photos above to enlarge. The North Carolina Coastal Federation recently partnered with the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries and a private contractor, Stevens Towing Company, Inc., to add 15 acres of oyster reef to the Senator Jean Preston Oyster Sanctuary Network this summer. This project was slated to take six months,…
Good news — the just approved state budget makes important new investments in oysters, coastal restoration and marine debris cleanup. When combined with existing state funding, the $23 billion budget provides a total of $1.3 million next year to continue work on the Senator Jean Preston Oyster Sanctuary in Pamlico Sound, with $500,000 of the…
Late last week, the state House approved its version of the $23 billion state budget by a vote of 80-31. Now the House and the Senate go to what they call “conference” to iron out their differences and arrive at a final budget before sending it to Gov. Roy Cooper for approval. Oysters The North…
The North Carolina Coastal Federation brought its enthusiasm for oysters inland over Memorial Day weekend, setting up a booth at Chapel Hill’s Jaws Fest. Kelly Bodie, membership director for the federation, ran the booth while wearing the federation’s oyster costume. She talked to people about oysters and how they benefit North Carolina’s economy and environment…
Morris Landing A large group of volunteers joined North Carolina Coastal Federation staff at Morris Landing Clean Water Preserve in Holly Ridge on May 17 for marsh grass planting, monitoring and oyster bagging. The event brought in 50 volunteers, including 21 students from Eugene Ashley High School’s Marine Science Academy, the Green Team at the Blockade…
CARTERET COUNTY — Crews have started moving about 25,000 tons of limestone marl as construction is underway on the Swan Island Oyster Sanctuary. “After months of planning and preparation by our staff, as well as by the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries and other partners, it’s great to see Stevens Towing breaking ground on the…
The North Carolina Coastal Federation’s Wanchese office was the first stop during March’s NC Coast Oyster Eco Tour, which gave participants a unique and close-up opportunity to learn about oyster aquaculture and restoration. The oyster tour was part of the annual OBX Taste of the Beach event, which showcases local restaurants and cuisine through tours,…
Kelly Bodie, membership director for the North Carolina Coastal Federation, spoke with Ben Ball of The Talk Station’s Coastal Daybreak (WTKF-FM 107.1) on April 21 about the recently launched Adopt an Oyster program. Adopt an Oyster is designed to raise money for the federation’s 50 Million Oyster Initiative. By 2020, the federation and its partners will…