| Dear Friends of the Coast, This month has been a busy one for staff here at the Coastal Federation. Last week, some of our team was able to travel up to Washington D.C., to take part in the Restore America’s Estuaries Conference, where they presented our work on oysters, water quality, salt marshes and marine debris to a national audience and spent time collaborating with a wide range of federal, state, and local partners. This newsletter also has updates on everything from oyster “shellebrations” to educational excursions to new merchandise – there’s plenty to explore and get involved in. Finally, we want to take a moment to recognize the devastation that Hurricane Helene brought to western North Carolina. Those communities have supported our recovery from many past storms, and we are here for them now. If you haven’t already, we hope you’ll consider joining us in making a donation to your charity organization of choice to support their ongoing recovery efforts. We hope to see you soon at the coast! Braxton Davis -Executive Director  The Federation and TowBoat US along with support from the Town of Morehead City and other partners recently removed a 32-foot sailboat anchored near Big Rock Landing that had succumbed to the heavy rainfall and sunk to the bottom of the channel. Abandoned and Derelict Vessels (ADVs), such as this, pose major threats to recreation, wildlife, and water quality. After many years of navigating the world of ADV removal, we know the faster these vessels can be removed, the better for the environment and the safety of other boats out on the water. The boat removal process itself can take several hours and requires a lot of work from crews utilizing inflatables and water pumps in a coordinated effort to bring the sailboat up. The process of gathering the correct permissions and coordinating crews for ADV removals is often slow. Thanks to the recent adoption of City Ordinance NO. 2024-O-10 by the Town of Morehead City the Federation and its partners were able to get this job done in record time!  Longer, dryer droughts, warmer seasons year-round — the outlook for wildfires is increasingly grim as North Carolina rapidly grows with already more acreage considered wildland-urban interface than any other state. Explore the growing concern about the state’s wildfire risk and the factors causing this increased danger in the latest series from Coastal Review Assistant Editor Jennifer Allen. Read More!   October is designated as NC Oyster Month and we have been shellebrating our favorite bivalve so far this month and there are still plenty of opportunities to join us at an upcoming event! In the northeast region, you can jump on a kayak and join us for our Oysters Uncovered: A Farm-to-Fork Experience. Where you’ll not only get to paddle out on our demonstration oyster lease and learn all about oysters and oyster farming you’ll also get to enjoy samples of amazing fresh oysters at Dune Street Rawbar & Grill. Reserve your spot today! 
Oysters are considered one of the most important species to our estuaries for the number of benefits they provide including helping to filter and clean water, providing habitat for countless other species, and they are pretty amazing to eat too! As you enjoy oysters this fall we hope you’ll also remember to recycle your oyster shells at one of our drop-off locations around the coast.The Federation uses these shells in many of our restoration projects. 
Recently, we had the pleasure of hosting 26 students from Elizabeth City State University’s HBCUs Outside cohort for an unforgettable day of exploration and learning at Jockey’s Ridge State Park. The weather was perfect, with sunny skies and perfect conditions for adventure! Before joining us at Jockey’s Ridge, the students had the chance to explore the maritime forest Nags Head Woods, another intriguing coastal habitat. For many students, this was their first time visiting Jockey’s Ridge, and it was an incredible opportunity to experience the park’s diverse ecosystems. Our day began with a visit to the Jockey’s Ridge Visitors Center, followed by lunch and an engaging private program led by Park Ranger Justin Barnes. The group then embarked on a guided hike across the living dune, exploring various habitats on the way to the living shoreline. Just in time for National Estuaries Week, we learned about the estuarine system near the dunes, explored the water and nearby trails, and even had the chance to contribute to the Coastal Federation’s restoration project by planting salt marsh cord grasses. It was a day filled with learning, fun, and connecting with nature. We were thrilled to see how enthusiastic this group was about all they learned! 
 Fall birding cruises are happening right now and we hope you’ll sign up and join local birding experts for an educational cruise on the White Oak River in Swansboro. The group will slowly cruise on a covered ferryboat through the estuaries in and around the White Oak River and Bogue Sound, including Huggins and Bear Islands, looking for resident and migratory birds. Participants will meet at the Lady Swan Boat Tours dock in downtown Swansboro and are asked to bring their binoculars, water, and a snack, and dress appropriately for the weather. The next birding cruise will be on October 20, but there are several more scheduled over the coming months so be sure to secure your spot! Reserve your spot today! 
 Thank you to everyone who has inquired recently about completing charitable distributions from an individual retirement account (IRA). For those of us aged 70½ and older, giving to the Federation through your IRA is a qualified charitable distribution that, in most cases, can count toward your required minimum distribution. You can also support the coast by donating stock to the Federation. Both of these giving options are easy to do and now is a great time to cross this off your list! Please contact Sarah King via email or at 252-393-8185 for more information, and so we can be on the lookout for your gift!  As the weather cools down, we have partnered with Recover, an eco-friendly clothing brand, to introduce new hoodie and t-shirt options! We hope you’ll take advantage of this limited-edition offering. 
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