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NATURALIST’S NOTEBOOK: North Carolina’s Coastal Treasures

Naturalist’s Notebook

Sep 1, 2016

NATURALIST’S NOTEBOOK: The Quiet Decline of the Humble Eel

Standing at the end of a dock on the Neuse River, a young John Fear would cast, wait for a bite, and soon feel the thrilling tug at the end of the line.
Hydrilla map

Mar 1, 2016

NATURALIST’S NOTEBOOK: Focus on Hydrilla

Hydrilla awareness also has increased in recent years, as have efforts to control and manage it. Last year, partners from state and local agencies met to discuss the plant in areas around the Albemarle Sound. Some members formed a Technical Advisory Group to develop science-based recommendations to address Hydrilla management in the watershed.
Shoreline along the Albermarle Sound that features some trees

Sep 1, 2015

NATURALIST’S NOTEBOOK: CAROLINA BAYS: Another Man’s Treasure

The Waccamaw Siouan Indians say thousands of years ago, the night sky flared incandescent as a meteor fell ablaze from the west and struck earth. As surrounding swamps and rivers flowed into the concaved ground, cooling the basin and its waters to hues of blue and green, Lake Waccamaw was created.
image: Alligator in the grass.

Jun 1, 2015

NATURALIST’S NOTEBOOK: NC Alligator Population Growing, Still Vulnerable

Though slow growing and late to mature, alligators in North Carolina nonetheless appear to be thriving in the Coastal Plain, according to a recent study by North Carolina State University researchers.
hydrilla closeup

Apr 9, 2015

NATURALIST’S NOTEBOOK: Evicting An Invader: Reducing the Spread of Hydrilla

“When we think about a plant like Hydrilla in some of our coastal systems — and what those coastal systems mean to the state of North Carolina — there could be some major, major problems and impacts,” says Brett Hartis, an aquatic weed scientist who earned his doctorate at North Carolina State University.
People talk in front of a large tank at the N.C. Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores.

Aug 26, 2014

NATURALIST’S NOTEBOOK: Coastal Scientists Boost K-12 STEM Education

SciREN allows scientists to share the results of their work with a broad audience. Their research is communicated to K-12 educators and, ultimately, to their students. Sustained collaboration with educators after the workshop can lead to more effective delivery of the research to the community.
A tagged shad is held in the waters by researchers.

Dec 15, 2013

NATURALIST’S NOTEBOOK: Silver Spawners: Restoring Shad to the Cape Fear

But the silvery shad, a favorite of anglers, should find the Cape Fear a bit more welcoming these days. Returning spawners will discover fish-friendly improvements advanced by the Cape Fear River Partnership — a coalition of 23 state and federal agencies, municipalities and conservation groups.
mollusk collection

Sep 1, 2013

NATURALIST’S NOTEBOOK: A Shell’s Life

Sometimes, the beach can yield unexpected treasures. Fourteen-year-old Anne Fogleman made the pages of the News & Observer for her rare find on a recent seashell hunt with the N.C. Shell Club. She was beachcombing at Shackleford Island when she spotted a tropical cockscomb oyster attached to a buoy.
Jared Flowers, Michael Loeffler and Charles Combs netted and tagged this Atlantic sturgeon in the Roanoke River in fall 2012.

Mar 1, 2013

NATURALIST’S NOTEBOOK: Dinosaurs in the Rivers?

A prehistoric species, Atlantic sturgeon were a common menu item along the East Coast in the 19th century. However, Atlantic sturgeon are making news these days for placement on a different list: the federal endangered species list.
New research suggests the extinct megalodon shark might have been nearly 60 feet long. Photo courtesy of N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher.

Sep 1, 2012

NATURALIST’S NOTEBOOK: North Carolina’s Coastal Treasures

Anthony stepped off the school bus. He raised his head to view the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. His science class with Mrs. Baker was about to discover more about the coast.