Americorps member Nina Quaratella shows kids a sea spider at Touch Tank Tuesday. This summer’s Touch Tank Tuesday brought in more than 1,100 visitors, 40 different species of aquatic plants and animals and a broad range of reactions, from sheer terror to awe. “Some of the kids and adults were apprehensive about touching the animals,…
The North Carolina Coastal Federation’s southeast office in Wrightsville Beach has been expanding its community outreach by beginning a partnership with the Blue Ribbon Commission on the Prevention of Youth Violence (BRC). One of the federation’s priorities is to reach underserved communities through education and outreach programs. Ted Wilgis, the southeast region’s coastal education coordinator,…
Tracy Skrabal, a coastal scientist and southeast regional manager at the North Carolina Coastal Federation, was named “Woman of the Year — Local Hero/Beach Culture” by the Wrightsville Beach Museum of History last week. As part of that recognition, she will be inducted into the Wrightsville Beach Waterman Hall of Fame. Mike Giles, coastal advocate…
Estuaries do it all — they serve as nurseries for juvenile fish, help support the economy, filter polluted stormwater runoff, preserve centuries-old cultures and traditions and serve as unique educational resources. Sept. 17-24. is National Estuaries Week, which is hosted by Restore America’s Estuaries (RAE) and its member organizations. Since 1988, this week has celebrated the…
The sun was blazing on Aug. 16, but 27 volunteers removed over 100 cubic feet — an entire trailer full — of weeds and cattails that were invading the rain gardens and wetlands at Bradley Creek Elementary School in Wilmington. The volunteers were from Guilford College, UNC-Wilmington’s College of Health and Human Services Department and…
Volunteers helped the North Carolina Coastal Federation complete the fifth phase of its restoration work at the Morris Landing Clean Water Preserve near Stump Sound in Holly Ridge in Onslow County. On Wednesday, July 27 — the hottest day of the year so far — 18 volunteers worked to enhance and restore salt marsh habitat along the…
The North Carolina Coastal Federation hosted a meeting and tour for the Cape Fear Chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers on May 24 that focused on stormwater runoff solutions in Oak Island. Engineers, public officials and residents alike showed up to learn more about about stormwater runoff reduction measures the town has implemented. The walking…
The North Carolina Coastal Federation celebrated grassroots efforts yesterday, joining community members and other environmental groups in celebrating eight years of hard work against Titan America’s plan to build a cement plant in Castle Hayne. More than 200 people enjoyed free music, food and speakers at the Titan-Free Jamboree at Battleship Park in Wilmington. Titan…
May is National Teacher Appreciation Month. The Coastal Federation is lucky to call Sandie Cecelski, an influential and respected teacher, a board member. Sandie has spent the last 30 years teaching marine science in New Hanover County. She helped to launch the Marine Science Academy at E.H. Ashley High School, which offers college credit courses…
Meet our Partners: Chris Connaway Our work touches the lives of everyone who lives, plays, and works at the coast. One of our contractors, Chris Connaway of Connaway Marine Construction, has worked with us on many restoration projects including living shoreline projects, causeway removal at Permuda Island, and oyster reef restoration projects in Stump Sound…