N.C. Coastal Reserve & 
National Estuarine Research Reserve 
Tidal Flat 
Fall 2016

 
Removing Marine Debris with the Help of Drones
The Reserve recently received a competitive grant award from the NOAA Marine Debris Program to map and prioritize the removal of medium and large items of marine debris from the Rachel Carson Reserve in an effort to restore and protect coastal habitats. The project also aims to demonstrate how drones can be used to provide a technically sound and efficient way of assessing marine debris, prioritizing its removal and monitoring habitat recovery in North Carolina estuaries and beyond. Education and outreach efforts, including experiential learning opportunities, will target community members, students, teachers, scientists, and coastal managers. Read more here.
Building Skills in the Field: 
A Summer Job at the Reserve
This summer we had the pleasure of working with 12 interns and seasonal staff at the N.C. Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve offices in Beaufort and Wilmington. Four of these positions were funded by the Youth Advocacy Involvement Office (YAIO) and the remaining positions were supported by the Reserve. This group of undergraduate and graduate students assisted on a full suite of Reserve projects relating to research, education and stewardship. 

"My favorite part of working for the Reserve was getting the feeling that the work I was doing was making a real difference in the natural world." - Zach Taneyhill, sea turtle monitoring intern

Accomplishments from the Living Shoreline Strategy
In February of 2014, the Living Shoreline Strategy was published to address research, financial incentives, and short and long-term implementation actions needed to advance the use of living shorelines in North Carolina. Living shorelines include a suite of options for shoreline erosion control that preserve existing connections between upland, intertidal, estuarine, and aquatic areas which are necessary for maintaining water quality, ecosystem services, and habitat values. The DCM and the NC Division of Marine Fisheries recently published the Living Shoreline Strategy Accomplishments Report which details progress relating to all ten actions. The major outcomes are summarized for you here.
Applications Open for 2017 
NC Sea Grant/NC Coastal Reserve Research Fellowship
The North Carolina Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve and North Carolina Sea Grant are accepting applications for the 2017 North Carolina Coastal Research Fellowship. The fellowship provides North Carolina-based graduate students with an opportunity to conduct research within one or more of the 10 sites that constitute the Coastal Reserve.  Review the request for proposals here to learn more.
North Carolina Coastal Reserve Rules  Public Comment Period
The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality is seeking public comment on its existing rules for the N.C Coastal Reserve as part of a periodic rules review process required by G.S. 150B-21.3A. This process requires that the agency classify each rule as necessary with substantive public interest, necessary without substantive public interest, or unnecessary. The agency's initial determination was informed by input provided by the Reserve's Local Advisory Committees and the N.C. Coastal Resources Commission. We value your comments and encourage you to review the rules per these instructions.
Upcoming Events
October 25:
Coastal Explorations Workshop

Fall Lecture Series @ UNCW Center for Marine Science:

October 20: Blue Crab Basics & Beyond

November 3: Barrier Island Mammals & Reptiles

Information about all of these events is available on the event calendar.
Summer Field Trips at the Reserve
The summer of 2016 was an excellent season to visit Reserve sites on a guided field trip. We are grateful to all of the hardworking volunteers who led these efforts.

Bird Island Reserve:
15 field trips
893 participants
Led by a dedicated group of 14 trained volunteers
 
Rachel Carson Reserve:
5 nature hikes
8 boardwalk trips
4 circumnavigation cruises
180 participants
Led by a dedicated group of 5 trained volunteers


Welcoming Our New Northern Sites Manager
Kate has a Bachelor's degree in Biology with a minor in Environmental Studies from the College of Charleston and a professional degree in Landscape Architecture from The University of British Columbia. She is a current resident of the Outer Banks and most recently worked with The Nature Conservancy in natural area management of the Nags Head Woods Preserve and served as the GIS analyst and community engagement coordinator for the NC Coastal Resilience project. Additionally, Kate has landscape design and planning experience in residential and municipal settings and currently serves on the Town of Nags Head's Planning Board. 
Welcoming Our New Communications
Specialist
Elise has a Bachelor's degree in Animal Behavior. Shortly after graduating, she moved to Thailand and spent two years working as a research assistant for a non-profit organization that studies Asian elephant cognition and promotes wildlife conservation. It was through this experience that she recognized her passion for science communication. She then held a position at a marine conservation field station in Mexico working as a media and communications specialist. 
Facebook Favorites 
It's National Estuaries Week and we want to help spread the #EstuaryLove!
Sara was so inspired by participating in the Reserve's recent Coastal Conservation Fellows camp that she decided to do field work on her own that will support the conservation of the crystal skipper butterfly. #GirlsInScience #GirlsInSTEM
Healthy estuaries are critical for the long-term success of many bird species. #EstuariesWeek
Rain gardens greatly improve the quality of stormwater runoff. Do you want to create your own backyard rain garden? Click here to learn more.