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Spring 2006
image: Buxton, NC, shoreline.

Spring 2006

A Million Reasons to Love North Carolina

Now, leaders from across the state are rallying around the "One North Carolina Naturally" banner to help balance the integrity of natural systems with pressures of inevitable growth. Among the flag-bearers are supporters from local governments, state agencies, industry, land trusts and conservation organizations, military reservations, academia and citizen groups.

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More From Spring 2006

blue stormy ocean waves with white foam

Cruising Into History: Dismal Swamp Canal Scenic, Peaceful

As Capt. Merritt Walter steers the Bonny Blue through a narrow strip on the Dismal Swamp Canal, he points out the water's reflection — a calm mirror of green trees.
Melanie Doyle, Randy Westbrooks and Rick Iverson examine what remains of beach vitex on the back of a dune.

Beach Vitex: Kudzu of the Coast?

A coastal menace is creeping onto shorelines along the Carolinas. Like all crafty invaders, this plant travels well, conquers quickly and has a good disguise. It's seeds and broken stems float on ocean currents to root and colonize new areas. It grows rapidly, choking out native plants. And its beguiling purple flowers will turn heads this summer — some out of admiration for its unique blooms, others out of loathing for its tenacious assault on North and South Carolina dunes.