CONSERVATION PRIORITIES

WILMINGTON, N.C.

Revised November 2015

Notes:

Table of Contents

Cape Fear River Basin .................................................................................................................... 1

Basin Water Quality Problems .................................................................................................... 1

Basin Research Priorities ............................................................................................................ 2

Marine and Estuarine Threats ......................................................................................................... 3

Marine and Estuarine Conservation Recommendations ............................................................. 5

Coastal Habitat Protection Plan ...................................................................................................... 6

Recommendations ....................................................................................................................... 7

Potential Projects for Land, Water, and Wildlife Conservation ..................................................... 8

Pollinator Problem....................................................................................................................... 8

Colonial Waterbirds .................................................................................................................... 9

Stop Titan Action Network........................................................................................................ 10

NCWF Sound Solutions ............................................................................................................ 11

Green Swamp Preserve .............................................................................................................. 12

Masonboro Island Reserve ........................................................................................................ 13

Longleaf Pine Conservation ...................................................................................................... 13

Carolina Beach State Park ......................................................................................................... 14

Wrightsville Beach Sea Turtle Project ...................................................................................... 14

Holden Beach Turtle Watch Program ....................................................................................... 14

Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center ................................................... 14

Sunset Beach Turtle Watch Program ........................................................................................ 15

Caswell Beach Turtle Watch Program ...................................................................................... 15

Network for Endangered Sea Turtles ........................................................................................ 15

N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher ................................................................................................... 15

1

Cape Fear River Basin The following information can be found in the North Carolina Wildlife Action Plan

The Cape Fear River Basin is the largest river basin in North Carolina and has three distinct

regions; upper Cape Fear including the headwaters in the Piedmont, middle Cape Fear including

the fall line and Sandhill’s region, and lower Cape Fear including the coastal region, with

blackwater streams, peatlands, and swamps. The Cape Fear River flows across the Piedmont,

Sandhill and Coastal Plain regions before reaching Wilmington and entering the ocean. Most of

the headwaters flows directly through urbanized areas, which significantly impacts the basin,

water quality of the basin and estuarine areas along the coast that serve as fish nurseries.

Unfortunately, the area has suffered from

increased development in the last few decades.

More than half of the land cover in the basin is

still forested but the other half is used for

agriculture, urban areas and transportation. Most

pollution in the Cape Fear River is accrued as it

flows through cities and major development areas,

leaving Wilmington the last stop and the basin a

dumping ground for built up pollution. N.C.

Action Plan has listed Priority Aquatic Species of

the area, p. 366-367

Basin Water Quality Problems

According to the North Carolina Wildlife Action Plan, the Cape Fear River Basin has about 730

miles of waters affected by five main causes:

Impairment from sediment, fecal coliform, ammonia, chlorides, low dissolved oxygen,

turbidity, nutrients, mercury, and other point- and non-point pollutants.

Sedimentation from agriculture, forestry, construction, and stormwater discharge in

urbanized areas.

Locks and dams causing blocked migration routes for diadromous and resident species,

reduced recolonization and dispersal potential, and unnatural flow regimes.

Knowledge of aquatic species in area is inadequate and there is a poor understanding of

life history and habitat use of many species, knowledge that is critical for managing these

populations. Monitoring rare populations is difficult and there are few long term data

sets/monitoring sites.

Invasive species (e.g., flathead catfish, red swamp crayfish) have become established in

the basin and continue to negatively impact native species populations.

Cape Fear River Basin

2

Basin Research Priorities

Research is highly needed for species conservation of the basin. N.C. Action Plan, p. 368-369

Inventory of distribution and status surveys are needed to

complete the distributional status of fish, mussels, crayfish,

and snails (listed in order of need)

o Fish: surveys for Cape Fear shiner and Carolina

redhorse

o Mussels: surveys for rare and listed species

Taxonomic research should be done to support species

descriptions and diagnoses. Descriptions for known or

undescribed species are needed as well as investigations

aimed at resolving taxonomic or evolutionary status of

locally variable forms. Two main priorities are:

o To support genetic studies to improve understanding of the freshwater mussel

genus Elliptio

o To support species descriptions for undescribed taxa (Carolina redhorse)

Research to facilitate appropriate conservation actions should focus on life history studies

of priority species and for taxa, which little information is known. Main priorities

include:

o To determine vulnerability of species across all taxa groups to threats such as

dams, pollutants and sedimentation.

o To study the potential effects of non-native species on native species.

Long-term monitoring must be improved across species groups, habitats and management

actions. New monitoring plans must be developed in

coordination with existing monitoring efforts in order to

meet shared goals and objectives. Priorities include:

o Conduct long-term monitoring to identify

population trends of priority species

o Establish protocol, schedule and sites for long-

term population monitoring (collaborate with the

NC Division of Water Quality, NC Museum of

Natural Sciences, and the US Fish and Wildlife

Service)

o Conduct special purpose monitoring to assess performance of specific

conservation actions

o Assess the performance of stream restoration projects

o Assess the impacts of dam removal projects

o Determine distribution of non-native species (e.g., flathead catfish and introduced

crayfish)

Cape Fear Shiner

Carolina Redhorse

3

Marine and Estuarine Threats

The successful conservation of marine species will require the mitigation of threats both within

North Carolina borders and beyond. Interstate and international partnerships and cooperation are

critical components of marine species conservation. Descriptions of the threats listed below were

taken from various marine species recovery plans that can be accessed here.

Nesting threats (these threats primarily impact beach nesting sea turtles and birds)

o Beach erosion –results in partial or total loss of suitable nesting habitat, coastal

development and associated activities have accelerated erosion rates and

interrupted natural shoreline migration.

o Shoreline modifications – fortifications put in place as a result of shoreline

development (including sea wall, rip rap, groins, jetties) can accelerate erosion

rates and reduce available nesting habitat. Improperly placed drift fences can

impede nesting attempts and/or trap hatchlings or nesting female sea turtles.

o Beach nourishment – if nourishment occurs during nesting season direct impacts

can include burial of nests and nest disturbance; dissimilar sand sources can

impact site selection, digging behavior, incubation, and hatchling success. Beach

nourishment can also result in significant compaction or concretion of the beach.

o Artificial lighting – lighting associated with beachfront development

(condominiums, street lights, vehicles) can severely impact emerging hatchlings

by causing disorientation that drastically increases fatalities. Artificial lighting

causes hatchlings to head in the opposite

direction of the water, exposing themselves

to predators, entrapment in vegetation,

and/or vehicle strikes; adult nesting sea

turtles may abort nesting attempts at greater

frequencies near lighted areas.

o Beach cleaning – mechanical raking (using

heavy machinery) can compact or destroy

nests. Debris disposal near the dune line can

cover incubating clutches, entrap emergent

hatchlings and/or alter nest temperatures. o Increased human presence – disturbance to

nesting sea turtles is the most critical threat

caused by human presence on beaches. Night-time human activity can cause

female turtles to abort nesting attempts.

o Recreational beach equipment (including vehicular driving) – beach chairs, tents

and other recreational equipment can directly impact nests (covering or disturbing

incubating nests) or indirectly cause disturbances causing female turtles to abort

nesting attempts. Vehicle use on beaches has similar effects as heavy machinery

used in beach cleaning efforts (compact or destroy nests, entrap nestlings), vehicle

lighting can also disorient hatchlings and adults .

o Exotic dune and beach vegetation – non-native vegetation such as sea oats and

dune grass can outcompete native vegetation; and can lead to erosion and

degradation of nesting habitat.

Beach cleaning with mechanical rake

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o Nest depredation – Predators like ghost crabs, raccoons, foxes, or fire ants are a

significant threat to eggs and hatchlings (both sea turtle and shorebirds),

especially with disorientation of emergent hatchlings by artificial lighting, which

increases their chances of becoming prey.

• Marine threats (these threats may impact sea turtles, fish species, and marine mammals)

o Vessel interactions (including collisions) – propeller and collision injuries are a

significant threat, especially to marine mammals and sea turtles. These types of

injuries are reported at higher frequencies in areas that

have heavy boating and vessel traffic.

o Oil and gas exploration – oil spills impact respiration,

blood chemistry and salt-gland function in sea turtles,

and spills in the vicinity of nesting beaches can place

nesting adults, eggs and/or hatchlings in significant

risk. Oil deposits on the ocean floor can reduce food

sources for all marine species and result in ingestion

of tar balls.

o Dredging – dredging can result in direct destruction

or degradation of habitat and/or incidental take of marine species. Channelization

of inshore and nearshore habitats can result in the disposal of dredge material on

beaches and shallow habitats, which impact nesting success or foraging grounds. o Pollution – pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls and heavy metals have been

detected in marine species, though levels that result in adverse effects are difficult

to quantify.

o Fisheries – by-catch of marine organisms occur in a number of different fisheries

such as trawl, purse seine, hook and line, gill

net, pound net, long-line, and trap fisheries.

These interactions often lead to serious injury

or death. For the Fishing Line Recovery and

Recycling Program, click here.

o Power plant entrapment – saltwater cooling

intake systems at coastal power plants have

been reported to entrap marine species.

o Underwater explosions – use of underwater

explosives to remove abandoned oil platforms,

for military activities or for oil exploration can

result in injury or death to marine species in

the vicinity of the explosion.

o Entanglement – marine species can become entangled in a variety of materials

other than active fishing gear including steel or monofilament line, synthetic or

natural rope or discarded plastic material. This often resulting in injuries that can

lead to weakened sea life that are more susceptible to death by other factors or to

direct mortalities.

o Ingestion of marine debris – marine species may ingest a variety of potentially

harmful debris materials including plastic bags, balloons, Styrofoam, and tar balls.

Effects of debris ingestion can include obstructions of the gut, absorption of toxic

byproducts and reduced absorption of nutrients.

Tar ball

Sea turtle caught in fishing line

5

o Poaching – illegal harvest of marine species has declined considerably since the

development and enforcement of protection regulations however, arrests are still

made for illegal capture and possession of marine species.

o Noise –impacts of noise from shipping, industrial, or military activities on the

communication, behavior and distribution of whales and other marine species

remains unknown but is suspected to be significant.

Marine and Estuarine Conservation Recommendations

The North Carolina Wildlife Action Plan makes several recommendations for the conservation of

marine mammals, fish and habitats. The following recommendations apply broadly to all efforts

towards marine mammal and fish conservation.

• Continue and expand cooperation between NOAA Fisheries and the appropriate state

agencies to facilitate marine species management, protection and research especially for

listed species.

• Support the implementation of Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs) to manage and

protect marine species.

• Support and assist in the attainment of the goals, objectives, strategies and performance

measures set forth in the NOAA Fisheries Strategic Plan (NOAA 2003).

• Support the recommendations put forth in the Coastal Habitat Protection Plan to promote

fisheries habitat protection in North Carolina and to facilitate the necessary policy

decisions.

Marine conservation needs relative to North Carolina include:

• Development of more precise population estimates for all marine taxa.

• Genetics research to further understand stock structure in North Carolina and beyond

(e.g., bottlenose dolphin and pilot whale).

• Examination of pollution effects on coastal and estuarine species.

• Coordination between NOAA Fisheries and NC Division of Marine Fisheries to look at

gear modifications to reduce dolphin by-catch in fisheries; SeaGrant Fisheries Resource

Grants and NOAA Fisheries support much of this work.

• Public education and other efforts to reduce discarded “ghost” fishing gear to help reduce

marine species entanglement; potential development of a fishing line recycling program

(potential to model from Florida’s existing monofilament recycling program).

• Improved communications and coordination with other NOAA offices, state and federal

marine resource agencies and universities to combat common threats and develop

efficient and effective conservation strategies for all marine species and their habitats.

• Continued cooperation with fisheries resource managers, commercial fisherman and

regulatory agencies to reduce by-catch and unintentional take of protected marine

resources (e.g., explore diamondback terrapin by-catch in crab pots).

6

Coastal Habitat Protection Plan

Development of the Coastal Habitat Protection Plan (CHPP) was a provision of the 1997

Fisheries Reform Act. The CHPP was completed in 2004 and was adopted in 2005 by the three

regulatory commissions who oversee coastal and marine resources in the state (the

Environmental Management, Coastal Resources and Marine Fisheries

Commissions) to ensure a coordinated management approach. The CHPP

includes information on habitat descriptions, distribution, ecological role

and function for fish species, status and trends, threats and management

needs. The CHPP identifies recommendations to meet four goals for

protection of coastal fisheries habitat:

1. Improve effectiveness of existing rules and programs protecting coastal fisheries habitats

2. Identify, designate and protect all Strategic Habitat Areas

3. Enhance habitat and protect it from physical impacts

4. Enhance and protect water quality

During 2005, each commission will develop a Coastal Habitat Protection Implementation Plan,

which will use the threats, management needs and recommendations identified in the CHPP to

develop specific priorities, actions and measures of success.

We have relied on the CHPP to develop the following habitat sections. While the CHPP is not

focused on “species in greatest need of conservation,” it is the most comprehensive resource on

coastal and marine habitat protection available in the state and it provides critical direction for

protection of coastal and marine resources.

The discussions of the six major habitat types

demonstrate the importance of coastal fish

habitats, threats to those habitats and the need to

take actions to achieve the stated goal of the

CHPP as provided by the North Carolina General

Assembly: “long-term enhancement of coastal

fisheries associated with each coastal habitat.”

Management recommendations are based on

scientific studies cited in CHPP chapters 2–7,

deliberations of the Environmental Management,

Coastal Resources, Marine Fisheries

commissions, and citizen input (verbal comments

received in person or by telephone; written

comments received in person or via mail and e-mail) from two series of well attended public

meetings (20 in all) held during the summers of 2003 and 2004, as well as additional comments

obtained during the CHPP process.

The public cited coastal development as the issue most needing immediate attention, followed by

enforcement of existing statutes, rules and permit conditions, and then environmental education

and research. Threats associated with development included polluted storm water runoff,

wastewater discharges and wetland filling. Meeting attendees agreed that existing laws and rules

North Carolina Ocean Isle Beach

7

might be sufficient for habitat protection, but that they are not adequately enforced largely due to

insufficient staffing and resources. Educating the public about the importance of coastal habitats

and the threats they face was repeatedly mentioned as being critical for successful habitat

protection and enhancement. View further details in the N. C. Wildlife Action Plan p. 442-458.

Recommendations

The CHPP development process identified hundreds of management needs (summarized in

Tables 5C.3–5C.8 in the N. C. Wildlife Action Plan). The members of the three Commissions

reviewed the issues along with suggested management actions to address those needs. The

Commissions selected four general goals listed below in no particular order.

Improve Effectiveness of Existing Rules and Programs Protecting Coastal Fish Habitats

Identify, Designate, and Protect Strategic Habitat Areas

Enhance Habitat and Protect It from Physical Impacts

Enhance and Protect Water Quality

View further details in the N. C. Wildlife Action Plan p. 459.

8

Potential Projects for Land, Water, and Wildlife Conservation

NCWF works for land and water conservation whether it takes the form of public acquisitions of

game lands or support of wildlife habitat initiatives on private lands. Forest or field, public or

private, high country or cypress-ringed swamp—land is where conservation starts for wildlife.

Every acre matters, which is why NCWF's work on behalf of land stewardship encompasses

projects as diverse as landscape-scale planning for large public holdings and backyard habitat

improvements for homeowners. Conservation of all wildlife species in North Carolina ultimately

depends on habitat as the solution. Increasing public land and water conservation will remain a

top priority and this means investments. Advocating for robust and stable funding in North

Carolina’s Clean Water Management Trust Fund, Farmland Preservation Trust Fund and State

Park Trust Funds is at the top of the list for increasing conservation of wildlife habitat. In

addition, the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is the federal program to conserve

irreplaceable lands and improve outdoor recreation opportunities throughout the nation. The

program works in partnership with state and local efforts to acquire and protect inholdings and

expansions in our national parks, national wildlife refuges, national forests and national trails.

Pollinator Problem

Pollinators are crucial for the survival of many ecosystems. A variety of

animals serve as pollinators including bees, wasps, flies, moths, beetles,

birds, hummingbirds and bats. Several hundred thousand flowering

plants (North American crops included) depend on pollinators for

reproduction and the production of most fruits and vegetables. In 2009,

the attributed value of crops in the U.S. that were directly dependent on

insect pollination was estimated at $15 billion. Unfortunately, pollinator

populations, especially insects, have significantly declined in the last

few decades most likely due to habitat loss and destruction. More than

40 percent of honey bees in managed colonies died last year. This rapid

decline poses a huge threat to our food sources. The Washington Post

has more information on pollinators and National Geographic has an

article regarding honey bee decline.

The issue of pollinator decline and conservation has become a leading environmental concern for

President Obama. The June 2014 Presidential Memorandum, titled “Creating a Federal Strategy

to Promote the Health of Honey Bees and Other Pollinators” addresses four main themes central

to pollinator conservation. They are: “conducting research to understand, prevent, and recover

from pollinator losses; expanding public education programs and outreach; increasing and

improving pollinator habitat; and developing public-private partnerships across all these

activities.” The full Presidential Memorandum document can be viewed here. The White House

has also posted a blog about pollinator health, and at the bottom of the blog you can find official

documents that accompany the official report.

You can help make a difference for pollinators in your area by:

Planting a wide variety of native plants that bloom from early spring into late fall

Avoiding hybrid flowers (breeders often leave out pollen, nectar, and fragrance)

Eliminating pesticide use

Honey bee gathering pollen

9

Planting a butterfly garden

Building a bee box

Adding a hummingbird or bird feeder

For more information on what you can do at home, click here. You can also find more

information about gardening for pollinators at National Wildlife Federation’s website here.

Colonial Waterbirds

Colonial waterbirds are birds that nest in colonies, which can consist of thousands of birds.

Twenty-five species of colonial waterbirds call North Carolina home, many of which can be

found in the coastal region of the state. These birds use a variety of nesting habitats ranging from

barrier island beaches to maritime forests and swamps. Each species is also adapted to a

particular plant community. Data from biological surveys in recent years have shown that

colonial waterbird populations are declining, especially beach nesters. These declines are most

likely caused by commercial development and increased nest

disturbance and predation by humans and dogs. In fact,

marshes and many nesting islands are being converted to

housing developments and private getaways.

In order to protect nesting habitats, the N.C. Wildlife

Resources Commission prohibits entry during breeding season

(April 1 to August 31) on 21 state-owned islands every year.

Signs are also posted to notify anglers, outdoor enthusiasts and

other users of the protected nesting areas. The Commission

also works closely with the United States Army Corps of

Engineers to create habitat for the colonial nesting birds using dredged material.

This material is used to stabilize existing islands and create new islands that and

be used as alternative nesting sites relatively free of human disturbance. For more information,

click here.

Some ways you can help these declining nesting birds include:

Not entering posted nesting areas from April 1 through August 31

Keeping dogs on a leash when on the beach

Not leaving trash on the beach; garbage attracts predators and fishing line entangles and

kills bids and other wildlife

Educating yourself about waterbird biology and identification

North Carolina Royal Terns

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Stop Titan Action Network (STAN)

If implemented, the proposed cement plant called Carolinas Cement Company could have a

devastating impact on the Carolina coasts, most significantly New Hanover County. It would

create one of the largest sources of pollution in the area for the next 50 years and be one of the

highest mercury-emitting facilities in New Hanover County. It would also:

Be a significant emitter of nitrogen dioxide, a

pollutant that contributes to smog, and sulfur dioxide,

a pollutant that contributes to acid rain

Expose some 8,500 students to these pollutants,

which are known to cause asthma, as well as the

thousands of residents of New Hanover County

Emit 200 tons of particulate matter each year, a substance that contributes to tens of

thousands of premature deaths annually from heart attacks, strokes, and asthma attacks

Destroy over 1,000 acres of wetlands and wildlife habitat as well as potentially critically

harm surface and ground water in the Cape Fear River ecosystem

Withdraw 16 million gallons of water per day from Castle Hayne and Pee Dee aquifers;

significantly increase NC’s carbon

dioxide emissions.

Stop Titan Action Network is a coalition of

seven organizations, thousands of citizens

and over a hundred small businesses that are

working together to oppose the proposed

Titan Cement project. The seven partner

organizations include:

N.C. Coastal Federation

Cape Fear River Watch

Friends of the Lower Cape Fear

Citizens Against Titan, Penderwatch

& Conservancy

N.C. Chapter of the Sierra Club

Southern Environmental Law Center

Duke University’s Environmental Law & Policy Clinic.

Since the proposition in 2009, more than 350 local health providers, 15,000 community

members, countless business leaders, numerous environmental groups and UNCW

professors, and thousands of other citizens have shown opposition to the Titan Project.

The North Carolina House recently approved a bill that greatly threatens the State Environmental

Policy Act, or SEPA, by thwarting environmental reviews and the public’s right to provide input

and fiscal oversight of projects involving public money, public lands and impacts to our state.

For more information on STAN and how you can help, click here.

Carolinas Cement Company

C

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NCWF Sound Solutions

The Albemarle-Pamlico Sound contains 1.5 million of the 2.5 million acres of estuarine waters

along the North Carolina coast. This unique barrier island network has a vast inshore marine

ecosystem and makes up the second largest

sound on the East Coast, behind only

Chesapeake Bay. These sounds, rivers, creeks

and inlets that feed their surrounding wetlands

serve as critical nurseries for shellfish, finfish

and numerous terrestrial species including

endangered and threatened species. However,

North Carolina is becoming known for

ineffective policy, mismanagement and

unsustainable fishing practices. Increasing

pressures, including habitat loss and water

quality degradation, are threatening our

fisheries. Some of our most important fish are

already depleted. In 2014, NCWF embarked on

a campaign to reform marine resource

conservation. The Sound Solutions approach

involves three foundational tenets:

Habitat - Strengthen protection of the

waters and habitats that make up NC’s

inner coast, as well as those that flow

into our sounds.

Management – Impact change in the way NC’s marine fisheries and habitats are managed

and regulated.

Gear – Influence changes to destructive fishing gear and unsustainable methods.

The goals of Sound Solutions are to safeguard against habitat loss, degradation of water quality

and loss of resources.

Improve long-term health and balance of NC’s marine resources, habitat and fisheries.

Impact changes in policy and regulations related to our marine life and habitat.

Impact changes in the way our state’s fisheries are managed.

Reduce the annual bycatch loss of fish in NC’s inshore waters.

Some tactics for accomplishing these goals include:

Present public policy recommendations to the MFC addressing key issues contributing to

the damage and destruction of our marine resources and coastal habitats.

Help promote and support implementation of sounds, science-based conservation and

management.

Support responsible, sustainable fishing practices (recreational and commercial).

Educate the public about the consequences of current, unsustainable practices and

methods.

Albemarle-Pamlico Sound

C

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Green Swamp Preserve

Owned and managed by the Nature Conservancy, the Green Swamp Preserve features open

longleaf pine savannas that had dominated southeastern NC and northeastern SC at one time.

Thanks to the Nature Conservancy and the Federal Paper Company 16,000 (and growing) acres

of this ecosystem have been preserved. The area is home to the American alligator, fox squirrel

and many rare plants including various species

of orchids and 14 known species of

carnivorous plants, the most famous being the

Venus flytrap.

Though not often thought of as beneficial, fire

is critical to the survival of the Green Swamp

and the longleaf pine savannas. Without fire

many native plants would disappear because

of the competition with faster-growing flora.

Longleaf pines in particular are dependent on

fires for their seed dispersal and to prevent

invasion of hardwoods. Fire once occurred

naturally and regularly in this area but in the

first half of the last century much emphasis

was placed on fire suppression, which promoted the transition from longleaf pine savanna to

mixed forest.

The mindset has since changed and the Nature Conservancy dedicated an entire program to

prescribed, controlled burning. Not only do controlled burns help the native plants and longleaf

pine savannas but they also reduce the “fuel” for wildfires brought on by the invasion of other

plants and hardwoods.

As a new NC Wildlife Federation chapter, there is potential for a partnership with the Nature

Conservancy to help conserve the Green Swamp ecosystem including longleaf pines and Venus

Flytraps.

North Carolina Green Swamp Preserve

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Masonboro Island Reserve

On the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ website the N.C. Coastal

Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve reports on the

unique ecosystem of Masonboro Island that needs continued

conservation. The habitats found within this area include subtidal

soft bottoms, tidal flats, hard surfaces, salt marshes, shrub thicket,

maritime forest, dredge spoil areas, grasslands, ocean beach and

sand dunes. Species listed as threatened that reside here include sea

amaranth, loggerhead and green sea turtles that nest on the beach.

There are several species of concern as well as watch-list species.

The area is also an important nursery area for many fish.

Masonboro Island is not a park but a reserve. The only access to

the island is by boat or ferry and primitive camping is allowed,

though visitors are reminded not to disturb or alter any vegetation

or wildlife. There is a Local Advisory Committee for Masonboro

Island that provides the Division of Coastal Management (DCM) with guidance and feedback

regarding management of the reserve site. The DCM staff works with staff and students of UNC-

Wilmington and with citizen volunteers to monitor turtle nests, marsh, sea birds and other

wildlife on the island.

In recent years non-native species, particularly the red fox, have become a threat to sea turtle

nests. Unfortunately, management of predators is costly and difficult and not always successful.

The DCM is considering possibilities to combat the predator problem but feel that its available

limited funds are best used to provide equipment and materials for monitoring programs to

ensure data collection efforts continue uninterrupted.

Longleaf Pine Conservation

According to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) of North Carolina, longleaf Pine forests once covered millions of acres of the

southeastern U.S. Today, only a few thousand acres remain.

Longleaf pine habitat is home to many native species

including 300 different species of groundcover plants per

acre, 60 percent of amphibian and reptile species found in

the southeast and at least 122 endangered or threatened plant

and animal species. The NRCS launched the Longleaf Pine

Initiative to provide nine states with financial assistance for

implementing conservation practices including:

Planting longleaf pine

Installing firebreaks

Conducting prescribed burning

Controlling invasive plants.

The application form for the Longleaf Pine Initiative can be found on the NCRS website and

more information about the NC Longleaf Coalition can be found here. Other longleaf

conservation organizations include America’s Longleaf, North Carolina Prescribed Fire Council

and The Longleaf Alliance.

Coastline from Masonboro

Reserve

Prescribed burning of Longleaf Pines

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Carolina Beach State Park

Carolina Beach State Park is home to a very unique, diverse ecosystem. Within the park there are

longleaf pine forests, sand dunes, shrub swamps (pocosins), brackish marshes and three limesink

ponds each vegetated with its own unique plant community. One with a dwarf Cyprus swamp

forest, one dominated by water lilies and the third that dries out every year and is filled with

aquatic sedges and carnivorous plants. There are many animal species, especially birds, which

thrive in this coastal environment. Carolina Beach State Park is located along the Atlantic

Flyway, an important migration route for many birds along the Atlantic coast. Additionally, there

are many species of amphibians and reptiles that thrive here along with many southern coastal

plain mammals including white-tailed deer, fox, grey squirrels, raccoons, opossums and river

otters.

Carolina Beach State Park currently has three environmental initiatives:

Exotic Species Management

Prescribed Fire Program

Inventory of Natural Resources Needs

Wrightsville Beach Sea Turtle Project

The mission of the Wrightsville Beach Sea Turtle Project is to facilitate and promote

the protection and preservation of sea turtle populations and habitats

by implementing conservation and protection measures through

action, education and collaboration with visitors, residents,

landowners, businesses, government agencies and other non-

government and conservation organizations.

Wrightsville Beach Turtle Talks hosts a free meeting every Tuesday

evening at 7:00 PM June-August at NC Coastal Federation’s building

to discuss various sea turtle issues.

Holden Beach Turtle Watch Program

This program is a nonprofit conservation organization run by volunteers and operated under the

NC Wildlife Resources Commission to monitor and protect the sea turtle population. Their

Turtle Talk program hosts a free meeting every Wednesday from June-August at 7:00 PM at the

Holden Beach Town Hall to discuss and educate the public about sea turtle conservation. The

organization is active for the entire sea turtle season from May 1st to October 31st. Visit their

website for more information.

Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center

The center is located on Topsail Island and

is committed to the care and release of sick

and injured sea turtles. This nonprofit

organization is staffed by volunteers. They

have a satellite tracking program, a nesting

program and an adopt-a-sea-turtle program. Visit their website for more information.

15

Sunset Beach Turtle Watch Program

This program (SSBTWP) is another nonprofit sea turtle conservation organization run by

volunteers to help monitor nesting activity at Sunset Beach, N.C. Every Sunday evening their

free informational program called Turtle Time takes place at 7:00 PM in the Sunset Properties

Parking Lot starting in June. In addition to monitoring sea turtle nesting, SSBTWP also monitors

beach nesting birds. Visit their website for more information.

Caswell Beach Turtle Watch Program

Another volunteer-only nonprofit sea turtle conservation organization, Caswell Beach Turtle

Watch, is committed to protecting sea turtles and their nests. Volunteers ride the beach every

morning and evening from May- September to monitor turtle behavior, nesting and hatchling

activity. Visit their website for more information.

Network for Endangered Sea Turtles

N.E.S.T is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and

protection of habitats and migration routes of sea turtles and other marine

animals of the outer banks of N.C. Volunteers are always needed for turtle

projects. Visit their website for more information.

N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher

The aquarium makes educating the public about the waters of Cape Fear

River a priority. Located right near Carolina Beach, visitors can see albino

alligators and get the opportunity to feel local sharks in a specially designed

touch tank. The aquarium focuses on educating the public about endangered

marine species and has plans to incorporate ten new endangered species in

the next ten years. For more information about the aquarium, visit their

website.