Our staff is thankful for all things related to the coast and to our work. See what they had to say:

Todd Miller, executive director of the federation, is thankful for “fall fishing trips that double as environmental sampling.”
Mark Hibbs, editor of Coastal Review Online, is thankful for “being able to work and live here where (he) was born.”
Caroline Lamb, communications specialist, is thankful for “the opportunity to surround (her)self with people dedicated to protecting coastal communities.”
Christine Miller, assistant director, is thankful for “fall walks on the beach.”
Brittany Ellenberger, finance manager, is thankful for “our gracious donors, for without you, none of work would be possible.”
Laura Alexander, director of administrative services, is thankful for “all our native plants finding a good home.”
Ashita Gona, reporting fellow for Coastal Review Online, is thankful for “learning something new about our beautiful coast every day.”
Danielle Herman, communications specialist, is thankful for “people who want to learn more about the coast.”
Nina Quaratella, Americorps member at the Wrightsville Beach office, is thankful for her “amazing and supportive Coastal Fed family.”
Karen Dunn, clean communities coordinator, is thankful for “volunteers.”
Tracy Skrabal, coastal scientist, is thankful for “clean fishable, swimmable, surfable waters.”
Jessica Gray, coastal outreach associate, is thankful for “being able to work to protect our coast and keep it healthy for future generations.”
Mike Giles, coastal advocate, is thankful for “natural beaches and inlets.”
Nick Krebs, an intern at the Wrightsville Beach office, is thankful for “fresh, local seafood.”
Ted Wilgis, coastal education coordinator, is thankful for “being able to share the wonder of our coast with students and the public.”
Sam Bland, coastal specialist, is thankful for “natural habitats and the wildlife they support.”
Bree Tillett, coastal fellow, is thankful for “productive estuaries.”
Lexia Weaver, coastal scientist, is thankful for “living shorelines.”
Kelly Bodie, membership director, is thankful for “our members.”
Lauren Kolodij, deputy director, is thankful for “our coastal partners who help us protect our waters.”
Rachel Bisesi, coastal education coordinator, is thankful for “our stupendous volunteers.”

Here at the North Carolina Coastal Federation, we have plenty to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. We are thankful for our supporters — all 16,000 of them. We could not work to protect the coast without your time and efforts.

We are thankful for local businesses and groups that support our work. Your investment in our coast makes a profound difference.

Most of all, we are thankful for the beautiful North Carolina coast. Our coast is worth protecting, and we are grateful to have been able to work with so many people this year who are equally passionate.

In 2016, thousands of volunteers helped us with so many projects, from planting marsh grass to speaking out against Titan America. Here’s to the victories:

  • The people of New Hanover County defeated Titan. In March, Titan America announced it was abandoning its plans to build a coal-powered cement plant in Castle Hayne. Together we won an incredible eight year battle.
  • North Carolina’s coast was removed from consideration for offshore oil and gas exploration. We are thankful for the people who spoke out and for the 31 local governments that passed ordinances against offshore drilling and/or seismic surveying.
  • After months of advocacy and education efforts, Figure Eight Island homeowners voted against an unnecessary and expensive terminal groin. Our Save Rich Inlet campaign helped protect recreational access and habitat for threatened species.
  • Hundreds of feet of living shoreline and oyster reefs were added all along the coast, helping prevent erosion and provide habitat for many animals.
  • Volunteers, school groups and staff removed thousands of pounds of debris and litter from the coastal environment.
  • More than 300 individual volunteers helped out at cleanups, shoreline assessments, oyster reef constructions and other events.
  • Nearly 600 volunteers from 37 groups worked on various projects or at different events for the federation.
  • More than 550 teachers and students helped out with restoration projects along the coast.

Thank you for sharing these accomplishments with us. We can all be thankful for the progress we made this year.

Happy Thanksgiving!