| Another month is already in the books, and spring has arrived. This time of year always brings so much energy to the coast, as the weather warms, plants green up, and waters begin to stir. Before we run wide open into the rest of the season, let’s take a look back at what’s happened so far this year, including an incredibly successful lost fishing gear recovery project and several other significant Federation accomplishments and events. As we move forward, I’m also excited about all of the events taking place this month in celebration of Earth Day, and for all of the major restoration projects we have underway. I hope you are all having a great start to the season, and I hope to see you soon at the coast! Braxton Davis -Executive Director 
This winter and early spring, commercial fishing crews collected more than 2,400 lost or abandoned crab pots from coastal waters, continuing the success of this long-running marine debris removal program. For the past 10 years, the Federation has hired crews to find and remove lost crab pots as part of the lost fishing gear recovery program. In that time and with the expert knowledge of the crews, we’ve been able to clean up more than 20,000 lost crab pots. This year, the Federation’s recovery efforts expanded from the northeast coast to also include the waters in and around Emerald Isle down to Sunset Beach. The NC Commercial Fishing License Resource Fund supported this year’s program. Check out this news story by WRAL to learn more about the Lost Fishing Gear Recovery Program.  Exciting news! The Federation has teamed up with Recover, an environmentally and socially responsible apparel company for Earth Month this April. We’ve created three limited-edition athletic shirts that are now available to the public for purchase, and Recover is printing and selling them on our behalf. The best part? For every purchase made a portion of the proceeds will support our work to protect and restore the coast. Not only will you be doing your part to help the planet by supporting sustainable fashion but you’ll also be able to gear up before the busy outdoor season. So, why not treat yourself to some new stylish apparel and support a great cause at the same time? Head over to Recover’s website to check out our storefront and get your hands on one of these limited-edition shirts. Let’s make a difference together! 
 It’s almost time to celebrate Earth Day, which is on Monday, April 22. This year’s theme is close to the Federation’s heart; Planet vs. Plastic.
Our staff has several events and volunteer opportunities taking place around Earth Day, including EarthFair OBX which will take place at Jockey’s Ridge State Park on April 20 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. On April 27, we will have a display table at the Eco-Fun Festival from 1:00- 4:00 pm, at the MLK Jr. Memorial Park in Morehead City, hosted by the Student Ecology Association from West Carteret High School. Be sure to subscribe to our calendar to see all of the upcoming events! 
Our partner, EarthShare NC, is hosting its annual Earth Day Impact Challenge. The app-based program teaches people about sustainability and encourages them to take actions that allow them to see the impact made in real time. On the app, you can record metrics on the amount of water you conserved, any waste you were able to keep out of the landfill, and carbon kept out of the atmosphere. You can see more about the program here.  The Coastal Federation and the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center present The Coastal Cohorts’ beloved show King Mackerel & the Blues are Running, featuring the musical and story-telling talents of Don Dixon, Bland Simpson, and Jim Wann.
Join us on May 23-27 for an evening of tall tales, rollicking songs, and theatrical performances filled with music and stories about fishing and life along the Carolina coastline. Called “a pure salt watered delight” by the late Clive Barnes, New York Post theater critic, the lively cast of fishermen-musicians are sure to delight as they sing up a storm, tell fish stories and ghost stories, and relate accounts of first loves and ones that got away. Tickets are $35 ($30 for members of either organization). Sponsorships start at $250 and include VIP seating and an invitation to the cast party on Saturday night. Tickets and sponsorships are available now at either Core Sound Waterfowl Museum location (1785 Island Rd, Harkers Island, or 806 Arendell St, Morehead City). 
You can also get your tickets, here.  CoastalReview.Org is giving readers a deep dive into the 50th anniversary of the Coastal Area Management Act. The series looks at the state’s landmark act, the policy, process, accomplishments, controversies, and challenges — past and present.
When the Act was first considered 50 years ago, North Carolina’s Coastal Area Management Act was considered controversial environmental legislation. Despite challenges over the years, it remains the state’s only attempt to forge a partnership for regional resource management. This is a series you’d want to miss out on, read all of the articles, at CoastalReview.Org. 
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