North Carolina boasts a large and productive estuarine system with 220,000 acres of salt marshes that provide vital habitats for fish, improve water quality, and protect against flooding. However, these marshes are threatened, and to ensure their protection, the Coastal Federation is leading a partnership to develop the North Carolina Salt Marsh Action Plan (NC SMAP), a five-year strategy to protect, restore, and preserve these vital ecosystems.

The plan is part of the larger South Atlantic Salt Marsh Initiative (SASMI), which prioritizes protecting and restoring nearly one million acres of salt marshes along the South Atlantic coast. The NC Salt Marsh Plan will serve as the foundation of the Coastal Federation’s New Marsh Program Goal that will focus on salt marsh conservation and restoration, facilitate salt marsh migration, and include our work to advance living shorelines along the coast.

Educating the next generation of coastal stewards is a critical part of the Federation’s work and it’s something our team of educators enjoys. Recently Coastal Education Coordinator, Rachel Bisesi led a lesson on the importance of oysters to a group of students in Carteret County.

“We love partnering with different community groups and were honored to work with Carteret Parks & Recreation at Fort Benjamin to help educate the next generation about the value of oysters and healthy waterways.”

During Rachel’s lesson, students had the chance to build an oyster reef of their own with the help of recycled egg cartons!

Here’s a look at some recent news featuring the Federation:

• Federation founder Miller to step back, Davis new director – CRO
• Founder of North Carolina Coastal Federation moves to new role – WITN
• Where and How to Recycle Your Oyster Shells After Using Them – WWAY
• NCCF Lost fishing gear recovery program underway – Carteret County News-Times
• Restoring a North Carolina Wetland – PBS
• Tickets on sale for Feb. 3 Hatteras Island Oyster Roast – CRO