Fragments of Plastic Everywhere In the words of the North Carolina Coastal Federation’s Assistant Director of Policy, Ana Zivanovic-Nenadovic, “Plastic is everywhere.” We use plastic in almost every facet of modern life–to store food, to make clothing and package products we buy, to name a few. This has created many environmental issues, one of the…
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OCEAN, NC — This spring, the North Carolina Coastal Federation partnered with Carteret Community College, the Town of Oriental, Carteret County, the Town of Pine Knoll Shores, community volunteers, students and contractors to complete several large-scale living shoreline projects in Carteret and Pamlico counties. Over 100,000 salt marsh and wetland grasses were planted, including smooth cordgrass,…
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OCEAN, NC — Heavy rains, on top of already saturated soils, frequently cause houses, yards and roads to flood. These flood waters then become polluted runoff, degrading coastal waterways. The Town of Pine Knoll Shores and the North Carolina Coastal Federation recently completed a project with support of the N.C. Land and Water Fund to tackle…
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OCEAN, N.C. – Today, the North Carolina Coastal Federation released the North Carolina Oyster Blueprint for 2021-2025, an action strategy created by more than 50 contributors across the state to advance restoration, protection and harvest of oysters. This is the fourth edition of the Blueprint, which was first issued in 2003. “Our ambitious vision for oysters in…
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OCEAN N.C. – The installation of pervious parking spaces is one of many projects recently implemented by the Town of Swansboro in partnership with the North Carolina Coastal Federation. Using funding from the EPA Section 319 grant program, project partners removed sections of asphalt and compacted turf, and replaced it with rock-filled permeable paving grids…
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WANCHESE, N.C. – Whether you live or farm within the Lake Mattamuskeet watershed, or visit the lake because you love to fish, hunt, or enjoy viewing waterfowl and wildlife, you can learn and ask questions about the latest actions to restore the lake from the comfort of your home. A virtual public meeting will take place on…
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WANCHESE, N.C. – The Lost Fishing Gear Recovery Project led by the North Carolina Coastal Federation in January, involved 60 commercial watermen and women who worked throughout the northeast and central coasts of North Carolina. Their efforts were focused on collecting lost crab pots as part of a marine debris removal effort to improve habitat, water…
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OCEAN, N.C. – The North Carolina Coastal Federation is honoring three graduating high school seniors with outstanding dedication to our coastal environment with the 2021 Coastal Stewardship Award. High school seniors from the 20 North Carolina coastal counties were invited to apply for the award and share their accomplishments and activities that make them a…
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Ocean, N.C. – The North Carolina Land and Water Fund recently supported an innovative stormwater project that is transforming a typical paved street in the Town of Beaufort into a stormwater treatment device. The North Carolina Coastal Federation and Town utilized the grant funding to ensure a scheduled capital improvement project to upgrade pipes and…
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OCEAN, N.C. – This spring, Conservation Corps North Carolina (CCNC) will work alongside the North Carolina Coastal Federation to complete several restoration projects. This partnership is made possible by a generous grant from Duke Energy Foundation. “We’re pleased to support projects like this that protect and expand access to North Carolina’s natural treasures, especially as…
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TOPSAIL, N.C. – The Town of Topsail Beach is partnering with the North Carolina Coastal Federation to install four living shoreline demonstration projects to reduce soundside erosion and maintain valuable fisheries habitat. Restoration Systems will begin construction on the first phase of the living shoreline this week along Banks Channel, near the soundside public access…
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OCEAN, N.C. – Once seaworthy vessels, now damaged or sunk along the coast, are slated for removal beginning in March. Working with state and local partners, the North Carolina Coastal Federation is ramping up efforts to tackle large-scale marine debris by focusing on the removal of unsightly vessels that were damaged and linger in the…
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N.C. Wildlife Commission partners with North Carolina Coastal Federation and Dare County Tourism Board to renovate the Washington Baum Bridge Boating Access Area parking lot. WANCHESE, N.C. – The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s Washington Baum Bridge Boating Access Area will soon be renovated to include a section of permeable parking to soak in the rain.…
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Plan offers resilience solutions for roadways, buildings, farms and communities Ocean, N.C. – On the heels of 2020 becoming North Carolina’s second wettest year ever, the North Carolina Coastal Federation is releasing a plan to address more frequent and intense rain events that cause communities to flood, and pollute waterways across the state. The…
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On Jan. 27, President Biden signed an Executive Order that directs the Secretary of the Interior to pause new oil and natural gas leases on public lands and offshore waters to the extent possible. This action represents a significant step towards the permanent protection of our coast from the impacts of offshore oil and gas…
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OCEAN — For the seventh year in a row, the North Carolina Coastal Federation has earned a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator—the highest possible rating from the nonprofit evaluator. According to Charity Navigator, this is a level of consistent excellence that only 7% of charities achieve. “Being one of the top environmental non-profits is something…
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Formerly, Atlantic white-cedar was a well-established ecosystem in the peatlands along the Alligator River and in the Great Dismal Swamp. The trees thrived in the waterlogged, peat-rich soil, which is made up of partially decayed plant material. However, in the 1700s these lands were ditched and drained for timber and access. Ultimately, many of these acres were converted…
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Chefs and diners covet what they consider to be the “Cadillac” of oysters that grows in Stump Sound in Onslow County. The clean fresh and salt water that mix together in the sound is perfectly balanced to produce large, firm and tasty oysters. Now thanks to a $75,000 grant to the North Carolina Coastal Federation…
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OCEAN – This year, the Town of Swansboro and the North Carolina Coastal Federation will continue their partnership to work for clean coastal waters. Plans are in the works to reduce polluted runoff entering Ward Creek from an existing street end outfall. The team will design and install an infiltration chamber at the public right-of…
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OCEAN, N.C. – The North Carolina Coastal Federation is pleased to announce thecontinuation of the Coastal Stewardship Award in 2021. The federation is offering three$1,000 awards coastwide. The winners will be announced on April 1, 2021. The Coastal Stewardship Award was launched in 2019, providing one award of $1,000to a graduating high school senior with…
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WANCHESE – The North Carolina Coastal Federation is set to begin its seventh year of the Lost Fishing Gear Recovery Project this week. Thirty-one commercial watermen along the northern and central coast will set out into the sounds to collect lost crab pots. With the help of various partners, commercial fishermen and women are hired…
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HATTERAS, N.C. – The North Carolina Coastal Federation announced that the 2021 Hatteras Island Oyster Roast will not proceed, but the non-profit has plans to move forward with the event in 2022. This would have been the eighth roast for the Federation, with the first taking place in 2014. Over 500 people attended the 2020…
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OCEAN, N.C.—Given that 2020 was such a difficult year, the North Carolina Coastal Federation is pleased to share some really remarkable and encouraging accomplishments. Thanks to the significant contributions of many partners and supporters, the federation has continued protecting and restoring the state’s coast this year. The federation overcame many challenges and tested out new…
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The hard surfaces of parking lots usually contribute to polluted stormwater runoff and flooding by directing it to storm drains or surface waters. However, a new project at UNC-Wilmington is reversing this course and reducing runoff The North Carolina Coastal Federation partnered with engineering firm Coastal Stormwater Services, Inc., Flora Landscapes, UNC-Wilmington and the City…
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Applications to assist with the Lost Fishing Gear Recovery Project in 2021 are open until Dec. 15, 2020. WANCHESE — Every year, crab pots and other fishing gear are lost in our sounds, creating hazards for boats and marine life. The North Carolina Coastal Federation is seeking applications to help clean up this debris through…
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