N.C. Coastal Reserve & 
National Estuarine Research Reserve 
Tidal Flat 
October 2017
 
Working together to control stormwater and protect water quality
Tour at the stormwater control workshop
Stormwater management has been a common theme for the N.C. Coastal Reserve's  Coastal Training Program (CTP) this year. This spring, CTP presented a workshop for real estate professionals on Low Impact Development for water quality protection and a workshop on watershed restoration planning for engineers, landscapes architects, and other professionals. CTP Coordinator, Whitney Jenkins, has also been involved in the Beaufort Stormwater Advisory Committee and is now the committee facilitator. Read more here.
Understanding vulnerabilities of coastal habitats to climate change
A s changes in climate affect our coastline, it is increasingly important to understand potential impacts and to increase the resilience of coastal habitats to these changes. To enhance resilience through management actions, the Reserve is using a new tool to  help guide and prioritize management decisions. This tool assesses habitat vulnerability to climate stress using the knowledge of Reserve staff and local experts. Learn more about this project !  
Reserve staff enhance climate science interpretation skills
Climate science is a complicated issue that can invoke strong reactions or negative feelings in many. The Reserve's education and training staff, Lori Davis and Whitney Jenkins, attended a National Network for Ocean and Climate Change Interpretation training to reinforce their knowledge of climate change science as well as learn tactics to communicate it to the public in a way that is understandable, relatable, and leads the audience toward solutions. Read more.
How to be a responsible user
#9. Get educated !
The best way to enjoy the N.C. Coastal Reserve is to be prepared. Learn more about Reserve sites and policies, and please contact us with questions!

Record sea turtle nesting season at the Masonoboro Island Reserve
2017 was a record season for sea turtle nesting at the Masonboro Island Reserve. Monitoring is still in progress, but check out the latest stats above.
2018 NC Coastal Research Fellowship applications open
The North Carolina Coastal Reserve & National Estuarine Research Reserve and North Carolina Sea Grant are accepting applications for the 2018 North Carolina Coastal Research Fellowship. The fellowship provides North Carolina-based graduate students with an opportunity to conduct research within the boundaries of one or more of the 10 Coastal Reserve sites. Review the full request here.
Upcoming Events
October 17:
NOAA Tools Training
 
October 21:
Carteret Big Swee p clean-up at the Rachel Carson

November 2:
Coastal Explorations Educator Workshop

November 30:
Coastal Government Workshop: Open Space Workshop - Wilmington

December 5:
Coastal Government Workshop: Open Space Work shop - Plymouth

Fall Local Advisory Committee Meetings are currently being scheduled - check the event calendar for more details. 
  
Information about all of these events is available on the event calendar.

In the News
Seeds to Shoreline Program awarded new grant to expand using hydroponics to grow marsh grass . 

Invasive species experts discuss ways to address Phragmites in North Carolina at CTP workshop.

Oyster reefs as carbon sink? UNC researchers find that location matters at Rachel Carson Reserve. 

Duke University Marine Lab drones help map Bird Shoal before & after hurricanes 

NC Coastal Reserve System Wide Monitoring Program projects featured in NERRA newsletter

National Estuaries Week featured in Sam's Field Notes, Coastal Review Online!

Reserve Welcomes New Communications
Specialist
Michelle Brodeur Recently joined the Reserve team as the Communications Specialist. She recently completed her PhD at UNC Institute of Marine Sciences and has a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Maine. As a graduate student, she worked in the Rachel Carson Reserve to explore how interactions within oyster reef communities affect oyster reef growth and restoration. Michelle has always had a passion for science communication and brings her knowledge of estuarine ecosystems and her experience communicating research to broad audiences through formal education, public outreach events, and films.


Facebook Favorites 
Newport Middle School grew marsh grass in their classroom as part of our Seeds to Shoreline initiative. Thanks to this class of green thumbs, we have Spartina to plant out on the Reserve!
Southern Pearly Eye butterflies are found in large numbers on native bamboo at the Reserves' northern sites in summer. Unlike most butterflies that eat nectar, these get their nourishment from decaying plants and animals or tree sap!
Thanks to all who came out to the NC Maritime Museum for Estuaries Day! Visitors tested their shell identification skills, tried to flap their wings as fast as a loon, and learned about how to work together to protect our estuaries. See you all next year! 
Here's a glimpse into the inaugural Summer Camp for Adults. Researchers guided us through marking the Crystal Skipper Butterfly, a NOAA Marine Debris Clean up at the Rachel Carson Reserve, and visited Duke University Marine Lab Marine Robotics & Remote Sensing Facility. 


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