Green Drinks Kickoff
July 17 @ 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Green Drinks is a casual monthly gathering for people who care about our coast. Whether you enjoy boating, beach days, or simply want to keep our waters clean and our communities strong, this is a relaxed space to connect with others, hear from local voices, and stay up to date on important coastal topics. Each month, we’ll highlight a different issue—like salt marsh restoration, oysters, or local happenings that impact the coast—and talk about how we can work together to protect the places we all enjoy. Grab a drink from the bar and join the conversation—these events are free and open to the public.
Who: Anyone who loves our coast!
What: A relaxed, come-as-you-are meetup featuring a new coastal topic each month
Where: Rooftop Bar at Jack’s on the Waterfront – 513 Evans St, Morehead City, NC 28557
When: One Thursday a month from 5:30–7:00 PM
First Meeting: Jul 17, 2025
Speaker: Ryan Bethea, Oysters Carolina
Other 2025 Dates:
August 21, September 11, October 9
About our Speaker
Ryan Bethea is the owner of Oysters Carolina, a mariculture operation based in Harkers Island, known for its famous salty oysters called Native Sons. Originally from Durham, he grew up vacationing at the coast, but his passion for oysters didn’t develop until his 20s. Today, he takes pride in providing fresh, local oysters that are always harvested the day they’re eaten, selling exclusively within North Carolina. His oysters earned 2016 Oyster of the Year at the North Carolina Seafood Festival’s Shuck, Rattle and Roll event, and have been featured in Our State magazine and on Samantha Brown’s Places to Love television program. Before starting his farm, he worked as a middle school teacher. Ryan holds a degree in Earth and Environmental Sciences from North Carolina Central University and an MBA in Finance from UNC. He is active in the North Carolina Shellfish Growers Association, which represents the interests of the shellfish industry and its advancement, and serves on the board of the North Carolina Coastal Federation.
Location:
The North Carolina Coastal Federation, Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability in its programs or activities.