{"id":13682,"date":"2022-11-17T11:37:26","date_gmt":"2022-11-17T16:37:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/?page_id=13682"},"modified":"2023-12-15T12:02:05","modified_gmt":"2023-12-15T17:02:05","slug":"supporting-vibrant-coastal-ecosystems","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/solutions-for-coastal-nc\/supporting-vibrant-coastal-ecosystems\/","title":{"rendered":"Supporting Vibrant Coastal Ecosystems"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n<p>Land-use, property development, and rising populations in coastal and upland areas bring new challenges in protecting our state&#8217;s waterways. Degraded habitats and poor water quality threaten living resources and even can impact human health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>North Carolina Sea Grant brings together scientists, resource managers, and community stakeholders to facilitate research, outreach, and education about our state&#8217;s unique habitats and the species that rely on them. Projects like these below help to balance local and state needs while conserving the natural environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-mini-story ncst-askew-media-text has-custombg-two-background-color\"><div class=\"ncst-askew-media-text__container\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-text-column\"><h2 class=\"ncst-text-column__heading\">Coastal Landscapes Initiative<\/h2><p class=\"ncst-text-column__teaser\">We assist property owners throughout the entire process of sustainable landscaping, from initial planning and design to installation and ongoing management<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-buttons\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-button is-style-secondary\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/coastal-landscapes\/\" class=\"btn ncst-block__button-link\" data-ncst-lightbox=\"false\" data-ua-cat=\"Button Block\" data-ua-action=\"Button Click\" data-ua-label=\"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/coastal-landscapes\/\"><span class=\"text\">Learn More<\/span><span class=\"arrow-indicator\">\n<svg class=\"wp-block-ncst-wolficon wolficon\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-bold\" \/><\/svg>\n<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-media\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Chionanthus-virginicus-by-Will-Stuart-scaled-e1693928204819-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"a white fringetree in a field\" class=\"wp-image-17871\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Chionanthus-virginicus-by-Will-Stuart-scaled-e1693928204819-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Chionanthus-virginicus-by-Will-Stuart-scaled-e1693928204819-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Chionanthus-virginicus-by-Will-Stuart-scaled-e1693928204819-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Chionanthus-virginicus-by-Will-Stuart-scaled-e1693928204819-1536x865.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Chionanthus-virginicus-by-Will-Stuart-scaled-e1693928204819-2048x1154.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Neuse River heads east towards the coast of NC.                 PHOTO BY ROGER WINSTEAD<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-accordion ncst-accordion\"><div class=\"accordion\" id=\"ncst-accordion-0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-accordion-item ncst-accordion-item panel\"><a class=\"accordion-item__header collapsed\" href=\"#ncst-accordion-item-undefined-6\" id=\"ncst-accordion-item-heading-6\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#ncst-accordion-item-undefined-6\" aria-controls=\"ncst-accordion-item-undefined-6\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class=\"accordion-item__expansion-indicator\"><span class=\"ncst-plus-minus-toggle\"><\/span><\/span><h2 class=\"accordion-item__label h5\">Addressing Marine Debris<\/h2><\/a><div class=\"collapse panel-collapse accordion-item__content-container \" id=\"ncst-accordion-item-undefined-6\" aria-labelledby=\"ncst-accordion-item-heading-6\"><div class=\"accordion-item__content\">\n<p>Plastic and other litter threatens the environment and safe navigation of waterways &#8211; with potential implications for economic and human health in our state and beyond. Through a variety of projects addressing marine debris, North Carolina Sea Grant and our partners are helping to better understand and prevent adverse impacts on coastal economies and ecosystems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"791\" src=\"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Childs-Marine-Debris-PSA-1024x791.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18014\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Childs-Marine-Debris-PSA-1024x791.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Childs-Marine-Debris-PSA-300x232.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Childs-Marine-Debris-PSA-768x593.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Childs-Marine-Debris-PSA-1536x1187.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Childs-Marine-Debris-PSA-2048x1583.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Winner, 2012-2013, Keep the Sea Free of Debris art contest, from the<br>NOAA Marine Debris Program. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/research-to-identify-how-plastic-litter-reaches-pamlico-sound\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">New research<\/a> is investigating how much plastic travels from the upper areas of the Neuse River watershed into the Pamlico Sound. The study is among initiatives launched in collaboration with the <a href=\"https:\/\/marinedebris.noaa.gov\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">NOAA Marine Debris Program<\/a> to research, prevent, and remove marine litter.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <em><a href=\"https:\/\/nccoast.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/N.C.-Marine-Debris-Action-Plan-FINAL.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">North Carolina Marine Debris Action Plan<\/a> <\/em>provides a strategic framework for prevention and removal of marine debris along the North Carolina coast and is based upon a recent evaluation of past and current attempts to address the problem.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>North Carolina Sea Grant also has supported <a href=\"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/currents\/2020\/08\/covid-19-plastic-production-and-marine-debris\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">marine debris and environmental education research<\/a>. <\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The first reporting tool designed to document when and where marine debris harms animals in the Carolinas and Georgia is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.anecdata.org\/projects\/view\/861\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">now available<\/a>. The &#8220;Tangled in Trash&#8221; app relies on information from anyone who finds wildlife entangled or injured in marine debris and trash.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Efforts to remove derelict crab pots and other lost fishing gear from coastal waters expanded statewide in 2017 thanks to funding from the North Carolina General Assembly on a North Carolina Sea Grant project, with partners from the North Carolina Coastal Federation and the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>North Carolina Sea Grant also partners to reduce plastics and other litter in creeks, including in the <a href=\"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/coastwatch\/current-issue\/winter-2020\/plastic-plastic-everywhere-1\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Walnut Creek Watershed<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>We also partnered to develop a <a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1IMOilzRpz9jvnvrnclSpS-qrmiKUmrEY\/view?usp=drive_link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">guide on marine debris for classroom and informal educators<\/a> of students in grades 5 through 8, including activities that introduce litter, abandoned or derelict boats, and lost or abandoned fishing gear.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-accordion-item ncst-accordion-item panel\"><a class=\"accordion-item__header collapsed\" href=\"#ncst-accordion-item-undefined-1\" id=\"ncst-accordion-item-heading-1\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#ncst-accordion-item-undefined-1\" aria-controls=\"ncst-accordion-item-undefined-1\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class=\"accordion-item__expansion-indicator\"><span class=\"ncst-plus-minus-toggle\"><\/span><\/span><h2 class=\"accordion-item__label h5\">Assessing Algal Blooms, Making Seasonal Hypoxia Forecasts, and Monitoring Water Quality<\/h2><\/a><div class=\"collapse panel-collapse accordion-item__content-container \" id=\"ncst-accordion-item-undefined-1\" aria-labelledby=\"ncst-accordion-item-heading-1\"><div class=\"accordion-item__content\">\n<p>Under the right conditions, algae can multiply to high concentrations called <a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1xV0bZhrepvhl2LH3334t2DuSfcUSmvJK\/view?usp=sharing\">algal blooms<\/a>, diminishing water quality significantly, and, as a recent North Carolina Sea Grant fellow investigated, <a href=\"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/coastwatch\/current-issue\/spring-2021\/in-full-bloom\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">potentially impacting air quality<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1xV0bZhrepvhl2LH3334t2DuSfcUSmvJK\/view?usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>View the Algal Bloom factsheet<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>North Carolina Sea Grant also has a long supported water quality monitoring on the Neuse River estuary. An experimental model &#8211; developed by a team that includes researchers at North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill &#8211; has helped predict hypoxia (low levels of oxygen) and the likelihood of associated algal blooms in <a href=\"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/model-forecasts-severe-hypoxia-through-august-in-neuse-estuary\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2018<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/researchers-forecast-healthier-neuse-river-oxygen-levels\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2019<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/currents\/2020\/06\/midsummer-neuse-river-forecast-shows-greater-potential-for-fish-kills\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2020<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/currents\/2021\/06\/summer-2021-hypoxia-forecast-fish-kills-less-likely-than-usual-in-the-neuse-river-estuary\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2021<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"2560\" src=\"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Burkholder-Water-Quality-Neuse-River-edited-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18016\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Burkholder-Water-Quality-Neuse-River-edited-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Burkholder-Water-Quality-Neuse-River-edited-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Burkholder-Water-Quality-Neuse-River-edited-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Burkholder-Water-Quality-Neuse-River-edited-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Burkholder-Water-Quality-Neuse-River-edited-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Burkholder-Water-Quality-Neuse-River-edited-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Burkholder-Water-Quality-Neuse-River-edited-2048x2048.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Grad student checks on testing station on the Neuse River which is part of JoAnn Burkholder&#8217;s research on water quality. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This new models builds upon decades of water quality data collected through the Neuse River Estuary Modeling and Monitoring Project, also known as <a href=\"https:\/\/paerllab.web.unc.edu\/modmon\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ModMon<\/a>. This work increasingly relies on the involvement of stakeholders and <a href=\"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/coastwatch\/current-issue\/fall-2020\/science-needs-you\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">community members who contribute input and collect data<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-accordion-item ncst-accordion-item panel\"><a class=\"accordion-item__header collapsed\" href=\"#ncst-accordion-item-undefined-2\" id=\"ncst-accordion-item-heading-2\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#ncst-accordion-item-undefined-2\" aria-controls=\"ncst-accordion-item-undefined-2\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class=\"accordion-item__expansion-indicator\"><span class=\"ncst-plus-minus-toggle\"><\/span><\/span><h2 class=\"accordion-item__label h5\">Managing Aggressively Invasive <em>Hydrilla<\/em><\/h2><\/a><div class=\"collapse panel-collapse accordion-item__content-container \" id=\"ncst-accordion-item-undefined-2\" aria-labelledby=\"ncst-accordion-item-heading-2\"><div class=\"accordion-item__content\">\n<p><em><a href=\"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/hydrilla-a-concern-for-the-albemarle-sound-region\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hydrilla verticillata<\/a> <\/em>grows fast and forms thick mats at the water&#8217;s surface, outcompeting vegetation native to North Carolina and reducing biodiversity. The plant hinders water-based recreation, angling and commercial fishing, and local economies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Hydrilla-by-Jade-Fortnash-edited.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18018\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Hydrilla-by-Jade-Fortnash-edited.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Hydrilla-by-Jade-Fortnash-edited-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Hydrilla-by-Jade-Fortnash-edited-768x576.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Hydrilla verticillata<\/em> from iNaturalist, posted by Jade Fortnash.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Communities and agencies are concerned about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.arcgis.com\/home\/webmap\/viewer.html?webmap=db9d2e8d7dec4153affd2caefa42c959\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Hydrilla <\/em>in the Albemarle Sound and surrounding rivers<\/a>, where conditions do not appear to limit the plant&#8217;s spread, making it difficult to eradicate. Catching <em>Hydrilla <\/em>early allows for more efficient control and greater potential to protect coastal rivers and sounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>North Carolina Sea Grant and our partners raise awareness about <em>Hydrilla<\/em> and how best to respond to it to maintain healthy coastal ecosystems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Hydrilla<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/ncseagrant_docs\/products\/2010s\/Hydrilla-brochure.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">one-page fact sheet<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Read &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/coastwatch\/previous-issues\/2015-2\/spring-2015\/naturalists-notebook-evicting-an-invader-reducing-the-spread-of-hydrilla\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Evicting An Invader: Reducing the Spread of&nbsp;<\/a><em>Hydrilla<\/em>&#8221; in <em>Coastwatch<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-accordion-item ncst-accordion-item panel\"><a class=\"accordion-item__header collapsed\" href=\"#ncst-accordion-item-undefined-3\" id=\"ncst-accordion-item-heading-3\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#ncst-accordion-item-undefined-3\" aria-controls=\"ncst-accordion-item-undefined-3\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class=\"accordion-item__expansion-indicator\"><span class=\"ncst-plus-minus-toggle\"><\/span><\/span><h2 class=\"accordion-item__label h5\">Restoring Dunes and Creeks<\/h2><\/a><div class=\"collapse panel-collapse accordion-item__content-container \" id=\"ncst-accordion-item-undefined-3\" aria-labelledby=\"ncst-accordion-item-heading-3\"><div class=\"accordion-item__content\">\n<p>From the mid-1990s through 2010, North Carolina Sea Grant and North Carolina State University implemented a <a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1b2N8C1vvw_IqTPppA72ddVGRvDwAQugu\/view?usp=drive_link\">stream restoration and greenway plan to renovate Rocky Branch<\/a>, an urban creek that runs through the heart of the university campus. The restoration improved water quality, enhanced aquatic and wildlife habitat, and integrated the creek into the campus environment.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" src=\"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Litzenberger-Rocky-Branch-Creek-Water-Quality-1024x681.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18019\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Litzenberger-Rocky-Branch-Creek-Water-Quality-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Litzenberger-Rocky-Branch-Creek-Water-Quality-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Litzenberger-Rocky-Branch-Creek-Water-Quality-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Litzenberger-Rocky-Branch-Creek-Water-Quality-1536x1021.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Litzenberger-Rocky-Branch-Creek-Water-Quality-2048x1362.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">College of Natural Resources&#8217;s Hannah Litzenberger checks levels of parking lot run-off headed down stream in Rocky Branch Creek by Derr Track. Photo by Roger Winstead<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>More recently, we have continued with similar work through projects addressing <a href=\"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/coastwatch\/current-issue\/winter-2020\/plastic-plastic-everywhere-1\/\">plastics and debris in the Walnut Creek Watershed<\/a> and reducing runoff into Black Creek<a href=\"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/currents\/2018\/12\/young-minds-enjoy-new-green-infrastructure\/\"> by engaging schoolchildren to create solutions through green infrastructure<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our collaboration on stormwater master plans for 20 schools in the Neuse and Tar River Basin resulted in design and implementation of new stormwater wetlands, while a local watershed plan provided the impetus for projects that addressed stormwater runoff in Raleigh, as well as&nbsp; job training that led young adults to improve a wetland park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>North Carolina Sea Grant also has helped conserve dune habitats on the coast through efforts to save the crystal skipper butterfly, as well as providing seminal resources like <em><a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1dy7opF_3A25SKa7u9XW-Xozy5XW38taw\/view?usp=drive_link\">The Dune Book<\/a><\/em>, a comprehensive look at sand dune formation, vegetation, erosion, and management practices.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition, when homeowners on Topsail Island and local officials sought natural options to encourage dune recovery after storms, they followed North Carolina Sea Grant\u2019s guidance \u2014 and the dunes showed significant growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Read about <a href=\"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/coastwatch\/previous-issues\/2019-2\/spring-2019\/return-of-the-dunes-the-science-of-post-florence-recovery\/\">the science of sand dune recovery after Florence in <em>Coastwatch<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-accordion-item ncst-accordion-item panel\"><a class=\"accordion-item__header collapsed\" href=\"#ncst-accordion-item-undefined-4\" id=\"ncst-accordion-item-heading-4\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#ncst-accordion-item-undefined-4\" aria-controls=\"ncst-accordion-item-undefined-4\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class=\"accordion-item__expansion-indicator\"><span class=\"ncst-plus-minus-toggle\"><\/span><\/span><h2 class=\"accordion-item__label h5\">Mapping Shifting Inlets<\/h2><\/a><div class=\"collapse panel-collapse accordion-item__content-container \" id=\"ncst-accordion-item-undefined-4\" aria-labelledby=\"ncst-accordion-item-heading-4\"><div class=\"accordion-item__content\">\n<p>North Carolina\u2019s coastal history is closely tied to changes in its barrier islands and to the inlets that link protected sounds to the open ocean.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Water-of-Mason-Inlet-at-Figure-Eight-Island-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18020\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Water-of-Mason-Inlet-at-Figure-Eight-Island-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Water-of-Mason-Inlet-at-Figure-Eight-Island-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Water-of-Mason-Inlet-at-Figure-Eight-Island-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Water-of-Mason-Inlet-at-Figure-Eight-Island-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Water-of-Mason-Inlet-at-Figure-Eight-Island-2048x1367.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Tide flows out at Mason Inlet at Figure Eight Island.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Since our initial publication in 1999 of <a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1N9MnxJ4xGGy1EAWdaK1zLZshpOVY6lce\/view?usp=drive_link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Shifting Shorelines: A Pictorial Atlas of North Carolina Inlets<\/em><\/a><em>,<\/em> many significant changes have occurred within the N.C. inlet systems and along the adjacent shorelines. Using a tool called \u201cTime Machine,\u201d NC&#160;State\u2019s Center for Geospatial Analytics worked with Sea Grant to create a <a href=\"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/shifting-shorelines-inlet-atlas\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">virtual tour of N.C. inlets<\/a>, revealing how they fluctuate over time.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-accordion-item ncst-accordion-item panel\"><a class=\"accordion-item__header collapsed\" href=\"#ncst-accordion-item-undefined-5\" id=\"ncst-accordion-item-heading-5\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-target=\"#ncst-accordion-item-undefined-5\" aria-controls=\"ncst-accordion-item-undefined-5\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span class=\"accordion-item__expansion-indicator\"><span class=\"ncst-plus-minus-toggle\"><\/span><\/span><h2 class=\"accordion-item__label h5\">Protecting Marshes<\/h2><\/a><div class=\"collapse panel-collapse accordion-item__content-container \" id=\"ncst-accordion-item-undefined-5\" aria-labelledby=\"ncst-accordion-item-heading-5\"><div class=\"accordion-item__content\">\n<p>The extensive freshwater marshes of Currituck Sound are a globally rare ecosystem and provide habitat to all kinds of wildlife. Audubon North Carolina and the Currituck Sound Coalition recently developed a landmark <a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1S2MHtbC2ma0_gxa3gfpSVZVMWIZZKTdA\/view?usp=drive_link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Marsh Conservation Plan<\/a>, which identifies the complex web of threats facing Currituck Sound and offers a blueprint of how best to protect and restore this invaluable coastal ecosystem for wildlife and people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Currituck-Banks-Reserve-NC-Wetlands-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18021\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Currituck-Banks-Reserve-NC-Wetlands-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Currituck-Banks-Reserve-NC-Wetlands-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Currituck-Banks-Reserve-NC-Wetlands-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Currituck-Banks-Reserve-NC-Wetlands-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Currituck-Banks-Reserve-NC-Wetlands-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Currituck Banks Reserve on the sound side. Photo by NC Wetlands<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The Currituck Sound Coalition includes Sarah Spiegler, coastal resilience specialist for North Carolina Sea Grant, and Bo Dame, on faculty at Chowan University and a past recipient of a <a href=\"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/coastwatch\/previous-issues\/2017-2\/winter-2017\/collaborative-research-on-the-outer-banks\/\">Community Collaborative Research Grant<\/a> to work on Currituck Sound ecosystem studies.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Land-use, property development, and rising populations in coastal and upland areas bring new challenges in protecting our state&#8217;s waterways. Degraded habitats and poor water quality threaten living resources and even&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":77,"featured_media":0,"parent":13635,"menu_order":3,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"ncst_custom_author":"","ncst_show_custom_author":false,"ncst_dynamicHeaderBlockName":"ncst\/floating-box-header","ncst_dynamicHeaderData":"{\"backgroundColor\":\"custombg_one\",\"boxPosition\":\"left\",\"ctaNum\":\"one\",\"useCTA\":false,\"imageURL\":\"http:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/NC.Currituck.7104-scaled-e1683909615672.jpg\",\"imageID\":17286,\"imageAlt\":\"Sea oats on dunes along the Outer Banks\"}","ncst_content_audit_freq":"","ncst_content_audit_date":"","footnotes":""},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Supporting Vibrant Coastal Ecosystems - North Carolina Sea Grant<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/solutions-for-coastal-nc\/supporting-vibrant-coastal-ecosystems\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Supporting Vibrant Coastal Ecosystems - North Carolina Sea Grant\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Land-use, property development, and rising populations in coastal and upland areas bring new challenges in protecting our state&#8217;s waterways. 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