What’s New

The Center for Coastal Protection and Restoration

Major Accomplishments:

77 acres

were secured in partnership with Carteret County in March 2020

$8.0M

raised through a capital campaign as of 12/31/23

2 miles

of nature trails were blazed in 2021

371 feet

of living shoreline were installed along the waterfront wetlands in 2021

Key Milestones

2019

Completed visioning process, preliminary designs, and cost estimates for the Center

2020

Launched a capital campaign to raise the funding needed

March, 2020

Purchased the 77-acre property in partnership with Carteret County. The Federation paid for 10 acres and helped raise funds to secure the remaining 67 acres as a county park.

2021

Installed a living shoreline and nature trails
December 2021 – reached the halfway point of the capital campaign

2022

Completed final designs and selected general contractor

December, 2022

Raised more than 70% of the funds needed through the capital campaign

2023

Completed civil engineering plans, site plans and construction documents, submitted permit applications, and solicited bids from subcontractors

2024

October 2024 – Began Work at the Sites

View Our Final Designs

YouTube player
By Bowman, Murry, Hemingway Architects

Coming Soon at the Center

    • Additional features on the two-mile Chris B. Smith Nature Trail are planned, including loops around two wetland ponds, new trailhead accesses, and trail signs and maps.
    • Final designs of the main entry road from Highway 24 and the boat ramp are underway under the leadership of Carteret County. Stay tuned for more updates and ground-breaking announcements later this year!
    • Plans for comprehensive native landscaping are underway to guide our portfolio of work and long-term plans for native plant conservation, stormwater management, and habitat transition. Selective thinning of weak and storm-damaged trees will give native pine and hardwood trees room to grow. The Coastal Federation will supplement existing trees with native, storm-resilient species such as live oak trees and longleaf pines.
    • Construction is anticipated to take place for 18 months in 2024-2026, with a grand opening tentatively planned for the fall of 2026!

Thank you to all our supporters and volunteers, including teams from Conservation Corps NC, local businesses, and scouts, for their help in bringing the Center to life!

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Visitors explore the site on a gorgeous summer day.
Visitors explore the site on a gorgeous summer day.
Students from ECU help establish the nature trails and trim vegetation at the Center.
Volunteers from Conservation Corps NC help build the nature trails at the new Center.
Two miles of nature trail will lead visitors from views of the sound through stands of live oak and pine trees, and even around wetland ponds like the ones shown here.
An old road provides temporary access to the site.
A section of the new trail.
Two miles of nature trail will lead visitors from views of the sound through stands of live oak and pine trees, and even around wetland ponds like the ones shown here.
View of the completed oyster sill with healthy wetland grasses flourishing behind it.
: Volunteers plant wetland plants behind the oyster reef sill as part of the living shoreline that will reduce erosion, provide habitat, and improve water quality.
Local volunteers plant wetland plants as part of the living shoreline at the Center.
Newly planted Spartina alterniflora sprigs will mature into a healthy, productive wetland.
Students from ECU enjoy helping install the living shoreline at the Center. Photo by Lauren Howard.
Construction Begins at the Sites- October 2024
Construction Begins at the Sites- October 2024
Members of the Federation’s Board of Directors, Capital Campaign Cabinet, the design and construction team and Federation staff celebrate the groundbreaking for the Center

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About the Center
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Visitors explore the site on a gorgeous summer day.

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