Hurricane Season and Marine Debris

The 2024 hurricane season is upon us, and it is crucial to ensure that you, your home, and your property are prepared for any potential storms. In addition to making sure your hurricane kits are ready, it’s also important to ensure your home and property are prepared to weather any storm. Hurricane Florence in 2018 highlighted the vulnerability of many coastal properties to storm damage. Since 2019, the Federation has been working diligently to clean up storm-related debris, and our crews have removed over 3 million pounds of debris, including lumber, litter, and the remains of hundreds of docks and piers.

Aerial photo of a dock debris sitting within marsh grass.

The good news is there are steps we can take to prevent debris from entering our coastal waters. The Federation’s team has outlined a few measures you can take to ensure that you are not contributing to the marine debris issue in our state.

Tie it Down! A Coastal Property Owner’s Guide to Preventing Marine Debris

Wetland and Marsh Plantings

‘Tis the season for restoring marshes and wetlands! Over the past month, our volunteers have been busy helping Federation staff plant thousands of marsh grass plugs and wetland plants along several areas of our coast.

In late May and over two days in June, dozens of volunteers joined us at Fort Macon State Park to help place thousands of marsh grass plants alongside the Park’s new living shoreline.

This month volunteers also joined us at Carolina Beach State Park to help with a wetland restoration project by planting thousands of wetland plants. Their efforts are part of a 10-acre wetland restoration project within the park, which you can read more about, here.

The newly planted salt marsh and wetland grass plugs will help restore marsh and oyster habitats.

15 Years of Inspiring Young Minds

We recently welcomed over 200 enthusiastic sixth graders and their dedicated teachers from First Flight Middle School to our Living Shoreline in Jockey’s Ridge State Park. This unforgettable field trip, now 15 years running, is an extraordinary opportunity to bring learning to life through hands-on activities in the field. Throughout the day, students explored the park’s visitors center and the sound side shoreline during sessions led by the Federation, Jockey’s Ridge Park staff, Dare County Soil and Water representatives, and community volunteers.

The event also provided a great opportunity for students to plant nearly 2,000 salt marsh grass plugs for a valuable hands-on learning experience. Students learned about the vital role of coastal wetlands and estuaries in filtering pollution and protecting communities from floods to better understand and appreciate the importance of protecting and restoring our natural habitats.

Celebrate, Savor, Support: Join Us for a Coastal Extravaganza!

Join us on Saturday, August 3rd, for an unforgettable evening celebrating the best of the North Carolina coast!

The night begins at the esteemed 2024 Pelican Awards at Carteret Community College’s Joslyn Hall where we will honor those making outstanding contributions to our beautiful coast. Doors open at 5:00 PM for a wine and cheese social, followed by the awards ceremony at 5:30 PM. Please join us as we recognize some of our coastal community heroes!

Seating is limited. Be sure to reserve your spot for this free event below.

Reserve Your Spot at the Pelican Awards

At 7:00 PM the excitement will move over to the Crystal Coast Civic Center for the Taste of the Coast Celebration! This remarkable summer bash promises a fun-filled night with delectable food and wine pairings, fresh N.C. oysters, and live music. While you’re there, don’t forget to swing by our silent auction featuring weekend trips, boat tours and so much more!

Get your Taste of the Coast tickets by June 30th to get a 10% discount using code EARLY, and don’t forget to check out our event page to learn more and join in on the auction early! So mark your calendars for an evening of celebration, deliciousness, and coastal camaraderie.

Get Your Tickets Here!

Join, Share, and Win!

Join the Coastal Federation’s Summer Membership Drive and you could win an unforgettable weekend getaway for two in beautiful Beaufort, NC!

Become a member by 5 PM EST on September 28, 2024, and you’ll be entered into a raffle to win a luxurious stay at the award-winning Beaufort Hotel, complete with breakfast at 34º North. Your weekend will include a $50 gift card to Kitty Hawk Kites and a $25 gift card to Backstreet Pub, located moments away from the bustling Beaufort waterfront. 

Already a member? Increase your chances of winning by sending an e-card to your friends—each e-card earns you an additional raffle entry! Sign up today and start sharing the love!

Join Now!

Federation In the News

Here is a look at some of the latest news  featuring the Federation: