Volunteers at a past cleanup with the N.C. Coastal Federation. Photo: Coastal Federation
The North Carolina Coastal Federation’s northeast office is looking for extra hands from 9-11:30 a.m. Feb. 6 to help with debris cleanups of estuarine shoreline and roadsides.
There will be cleanups in Wanchese, Nags Head and Rodanthe. Trash bags, gloves and other cleanup materials will be provided.
Participants will be required to wear a mask or face covering while they work in their small groups and maintain safe distances during the cleanup.
Bring water, a snack and dress appropriately for the weather. Sturdy shoes for walking in wet areas are also recommended, especially boots. Feb. 7 is the rain date.
Researchers and volunteers at Stump Sound in Onslow County. Photo: N.C. Coastal Federation
A $75,000 grant will go toward plans to improve and maintain the water quality of Stump Sound in Onslow County, known for its oysters.
The North Carolina Coastal Federation received the grant from North Carolina Land and Water Fund for the development of a plan to address water quality and reduce localized flooding.
Stump Sound is designated as Outstanding Resource Waters, open shellfish waters, and a primary nursery area by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality.
While the classifications are to protect the existing uses of the sound for shellfishing, in recent years water quality has declined. Shellfish beds are now often closed to harvest following more frequent rain events because of larger amounts of polluted stormwater runoff flowing into the sound from surrounding land uses.
About 140 million oysters are now living on 43 acres of newly created oyster reefs. Photo: N.C. Coastal Federation
The North Carolina Coastal Federation and partners nearly tripled their goal to restore 50 million oysters in coastal waters.
Through its 50 Million Oyster Initiative to build acres of new oyster reef and support at least 50 million oysters, there are now 140 million oysters on 43 acres of newly created oyster reefs in coastal North Carolina.
Oyster sanctuaries are areas dedicated to oyster repopulation that are open to fishing but not harvest. The adult oysters in the sanctuary will produce spat, or oyster larvae, that drift and attach to other oyster reefs.
The North Carolina Coastal Federation and Clean Air Carolina have petitioned the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission seeking state action to reduce heat-trapping carbon dioxide emissions from power plants.