At more than 27,000 acres, the Buckridge Reserve in Tyrrell County is already the largest of the 10 sites in the state's Coastal Reserve program. But it's about to get even bigger. Thanks to a grant from the National Coastal Wetlands Program and additional funding from the U.S. Air Force, the Reserve will soon acquire an additional 2,040 acres, an area known as the Woodley Tract.
Invasive Moth Wreaks Havoc at Buxton Woods Reserve
The gypsy moth, measuring at around three centimeters, is taking a major toll on the largest tract of maritime forest left standing on the Carolina coast. Buxton Woods Reserve is home to over 1,000 acres of maritime evergreen forest and shrub swamp. The vast expanse of maritime habitat that makes the site unique also makes it particularly vulnerable to the gypsy moth because the oak trees in the forest canopy are the moth's preferred source of food. In an effort to slow the impacts of this invasive species, state and federal agencies are coordinating trapping and treatment for gypsy moth across the state.
New Year Brings New Training Opportunities
Last year the N.C. Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve reached a total of 671 realtors and technical professionals through workshops led by the Coastal Training Program (CTP) covering topics such as barrier island development, low impact development, and living shorelines. This year the Reserve's CTP is shifting focus. So far, the 2016 lineup has included a successful citizen science workshop in February and a sustainable tourism workshop in March. This coming May, professionals are invited to Beaufort for a free wetlands workshop.
Learn more about these opportunities and stay tuned as we add more trainings to the calendar in the coming months.
Undergrads Study Water Quality and Wild Horses
Two N.C. State University undergrads have spent their semester at the Rachel Carson Reserve monitoring water quality and managing the wild horse population as part of the inaugural semester at CMAST program. This program provides students the opportunity to work alongside professionals and gain exposure to all facets of marine science. Those who applied were able to select from a list of potential projects proposed by researchers and natural resource managers in Carteret County's marine science community.
Bird Banding at Masonboro Island Reserve
Between 34-39 nesting pairs of American oystercatchers have been documented at Masonboro Island Reserve in recent years, which is approximately 10% of the state's nesting oystercatcher population. Threats like loss of habitat and recreational disturbance impact oystercatcher populations along the east coast, which is why Reserve staff are collaborating with partners to
study the population at Masonboro Island Reserve.
Upcoming Events
May 17: Getting to Know Your Wetlands Workshop
May 19: Sea Turtle Monitoring & Information Session
June 2: Community Paddle to Masonboro Island Reserve
WNCT Channel 9 News interviewed the Reserve's Training Coordinator, Whitney Jenkins, about the Sustainable Tourism Workshop for Crystal Coast businesses.
Coastal Conservation Fellows Summer Camp
The Coastal Conservation Fellows summer camp, offered by the Reserve in partnership with the N.C. Maritime Museum in Beaufort, is designed to teach 7-10th graders about the balance of managing and conserving natural resources and human activities on our coast. This year the camp will focus on the rare crystal skipper butterfly, which is only found near the Crystal Coast. Students will learn about conservation challenges surrounding the butterfly from a crystal skipper expert/NASA scientist and Reserve staff. Other topics of study include wildlife tracking and marine debris. Call
252.728.7317 to register.
Legislative Updates
Reports studying the
removal of the New Inlet Dam at Zeke's Island Reserve and
moving the Reserve program from the Department of Environmental Quality to the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources are available.
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Aerial view of Middle Marsh, part of the Rachel Carson Reserve (photo by Mike Greene)
Campers learn about monitoring water quality at Summer Science School
Sunrise over the dunes at Masonboro Island Reserve
Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve received two inches of snow over the winter season
