\u201cCoastal ecosystems are dynamic by nature, and this is especially true for a freshwater sound separated from the Atlantic Ocean by a narrow barrier island,\u201d Bowler says. \u201cWe want to make sure Currituck Sound and the birds, fish, and people who depend on it are able to adapt to the changes that are coming, even as we work to reduce the most pressing and immediate threats.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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\u201cAs our community faces the challenges of a changing environment and sea level rise, the Town of Duck has set a course to become a model for sustainability and coastal resilience,\u201d says\u00a0Joe Heard, director of community development, Town of Duck<\/strong>. \u201cWe greatly appreciate the support of the Currituck Sound Coalition and guidance from the Marsh Conservation Plan as our community designs and implements nature-based solutions that benefit the environment, economy, and social fabric of the community.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
\u201cLoss of marshes and changes in uplands of Mackay Island and Currituck National Wildlife Refuges bordering the Currituck Sound reflect the changes driven by sea-level rise,\u201d says\u00a0Mike Bryant, the National Wildlife Refuge Association’s regional representative for N.C. & S.C<\/strong>. \u201cSustaining the migratory bird habitat values associated with these refuges is essential to meeting both the refuges\u2019 purposes and the mission of the Refuge Association. We appreciate Audubon\u2019s leadership and the collaboration of the Coalition. Both the process and the product meet the need of bringing everyone together to form a practical, science-based plan of action to effectively deal with the challenges in our future. A resilient and sustainable Currituck Sound ecosystem will help ensure these refuges can meet their purpose.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
“The creation of the Marsh Conservation Plan was truly a collaborative effort by many partners,\u201d says\u00a0Sarah Spiegler, coastal resilience specialist, North Carolina Sea Grant<\/strong>.\u202f\u201cContinued coordination and collaboration will be crucial in protecting these special places in northeast North Carolina, and throughout our coast.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
\u201cCurrituck Sound and its wetlands provide a unique ecosystem on the east coast, and Audubon and the Coalition members have made significant progress in the development of this plan to help protect and restore our Estuary of National Significance,\u201d says\u00a0William Crowell, director, Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Partnership<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
\u201cThe Marsh Conservation Plan benefits the overall health and resilience of coastal marsh wetlands and habitats of Currituck Sound,\u201d says\u00a0Rebecca Ellin, program manager, North Carolina Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research\u00a0Reserve<\/strong>. \u201cUnderstanding where and how this critical habitat is vulnerable, and developing a collaborative proactive approach to managing these resources, this plan and future practices will help counteract some of these vulnerabilities, ultimately resulting in a stronger more sustainable environment in the Currituck Banks Reserve and throughout the Currituck Sound.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
\u201cCurrituck Sound\u2019s marshes are critical for sustaining the region\u2019s natural and human communities,\u201d says\u00a0Bo Dame, professor of biology and physical science, Chowan University<\/strong>. \u201cThe natural environment that draws people to the area and is at the heart of the region\u2019s culture is fundamentally based on the persistence of an abundance of healthy marshes. Based on the most up to date science and understanding of coastal processes, this plan outlines the major threats, identifies gaps in knowledge, and provides recommended actions. It is a valuable resource for policy makers, resource managers, researchers, educators, and anyone interested in protecting and maintaining these important wetlands.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
\u201cBy collectively working together to conserve and protect these important wetlands in Northeast NC we can retain this unique feature of Currituck Sound for future generations,\u201d says\u00a0Lora Eddy, community resilience specialist, The Nature Conservancy<\/strong>. \u201cOne organization or individual cannot tackle this alone and with this plan directing our work we can all contribute to preserving the sound\u2019s iconic feature \u2014 marshes waving green and golden along the shoreline as waterfowl glide overhead.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
\u201cThe Currituck Sound and its marshes are tremendously important, not only to the history of Currituck County but also to its present and future generations,\u201d says\u00a0Laurie LoCicero, planning director, Currituck County<\/strong>. \u201cWe are a coastal community with a dynamic environment and the Marsh Conservation Plan will provide valuable input for effective decision-making as the county continues to grow. The Currituck Sound Coalition is a great partner in helping us maintain the vitality of the Currituck Sound.\u201d<\/p>\n\n
Media Contact<\/strong>:\u202fBen Graham,\u202fben.graham@audubon.org<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n
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Today, the Currituck Sound Coalition announced the release of a landmark Marsh Conservation Plan\u00a0that 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. The Coalition includes NC Sea Grant, Audubon NC, and many partners.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"ncst_custom_author":"","ncst_show_custom_author":false,"ncst_dynamicHeaderBlockName":"","ncst_dynamicHeaderData":"","ncst_content_audit_freq":"","ncst_content_audit_date":"","ncst_content_audit_display":false,"ncst_backToTopFlag":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1447,1408,1405,1404,1448,1390,1],"tags":[1476,1477,1478,1479,1480,98,1481,92,404],"_ncst_magazine_issue":[],"class_list":["post-14010","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-coastal-communities","category-dei","category-ecosystems","category-resilience","category-sea-grant-partners","category-staff-news","category-uncategorized","tag-audubon-nc","tag-bo-dame","tag-chowan-university","tag-currituck-sound","tag-national-wildlife-refuges","tag-nc-coastal-reserve","tag-nc-nerrs","tag-nc-sea-grant","tag-sarah-spiegler"],"displayCategory":null,"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
Currituck Sound Coalition Announces Conservation Plan for Critical Marshes Adapting to Climate Change - North Carolina Sea Grant<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n