MOREHEAD CITY — The reverence for North Carolina Coastal Federation founder Todd Miller was palpable Saturday night when he was recognized with two awards, including the governor’s highest honor for service, during the nonprofit organization’s Pelican Awards ceremony.

About 200 packed into the Joslyn Hall auditorium on the Carteret Community College campus for the annual awards program that the Coastal Federation, which publishes Coastal Review, began in 2003 to recognize individuals, businesses, organizations and agencies that have shown exemplary coastal stewardship.

In addition to Miller, staff at the Coastal Federation’s Northeast, Central and Southeast offices recognized more than a dozen at this year’s ceremony. A handful of the recipients were connected to the North Carolina State Parks system for their work to protect environmental, cultural and resources.

Miller, after more than 40 years leading the organization as executive director, turned the reins over in February to Dr. Braxton Davis, who left his leadership role at the North Carolina Division of Coastal Management to join the nonprofit. Miller now acts as senior adviser to the executive director.

“We are really excited to honor this year’s Pelican Award recipients. Each has gone above and beyond in protecting the coast, and their dedication, partnerships, and achievements are truly inspiring,” Davis told Coastal Review.

Davis and Board of Directors President April Clark presented Miller with a Lifetime Achievement Pelican Award and The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, on behalf of the governor, at the end of the hourlong ceremony.

A Carteret County native who spent his youth in the marshes of Bogue Sound, Miller founded the Coastal Federation in 1982 after completing his undergrad and master’s degrees at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.

“Todd is a man of vision,” Clark said, and he has been instrumental in bringing supporters and partners together to accomplish the organization’s work.

“When he announced that he was moving on last year, I think everybody’s heart sunk. He’s left a legacy of work and a coastline that’s better for his presence than ever,” she continued.

After a standing ovation, Miller told the crowd that “the last 42 years have gone by in a flash for me,” and it has been rewarding to work with so many great people and be inspired by their energy.

“There are things that I can still contribute, and I’ll continue to do that, but it’s time for new leadership and new ideas and new energy in this organization. And I’m very proud that Braxton was willing to step up and take on that role. We’re in good hands, and just expect great things to happen in the future,” Miller continued.

Other accolades Miller has received while leading the organization include The Old North State Award from the governor in 2007, the National Wetlands Community Leader Award from the Environmental Law Institute in 2012, distinguished alumni of UNC in 2013, and the Peter Benchley Ocean Award for Hero of the Seas in 2015.

Miller had been on the stage to present awards in a new category, the Distinguished Career Awards, to Bill Holman, senior adviser with the Conservation Fund of North Carolina, and Derb Carter Jr., senior adviser for the Southern Environmental Law Center.

Holman was recognized “for a Distinguished Career Dedicated to Public Service and Environmental Conservation.”

Holman began his career in the early 1980s as an first environmental lobbyist and “has always been a steadfast ally, supporter and friend of the coast throughout his career,” Miller explained.

Holman was at the first meeting in April 1982, when the idea of Coastal Federation was born. “His collaboration with us and other environmental groups has resulted in countless environmental safeguards,” and his career protecting the North Carolina environment is nothing short of remarkable, Miller said.

In addition to his time as a lobbyist, Holman’s was appointed in 1998 by former Gov. Jim Hunt to serve as assistant secretary, and later as secretary, of the state’s Department of Environment and Natural Resources, now called the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. Other roles include executive director of the North Carolina Clean Water Management Trust, policy program director at Duke University’s Nicholas Institute For Policy, and at The Conservation Fund as a state director.

“Today, he still has a hand in the game. He’s the senior adviser for the Conservation Fund, and his passion and commitment and impact on our environment continues to inspire all of us. His legacy protecting the natural resources will endure for generations to come,” Miller said.

He was not able to attend the ceremony but accepted his award in a prerecorded video.

“Receiving the Pelican Award from the NC Coastal Federation means a lot to me,” Holman told Coastal Review in an email. Adding he’s had the opportunity to work with members and staff of since its founding in 1982. “I’m proud to say I was there at the beginning.”

Holman said he knows the work of the Coastal Federation from his days as a lobbyist, and in his many leadership positions for the state.

“I admire, respect, and appreciate (the Coastal Federation)’s advocacy, its work in local communities, and its bold ideas,” Holman continued.

The Coastal Federation pushed for some of the first policies to reduce stormwater pollution, led the massive restoration of wetlands on the North River, has promoted living shorelines, and restored oyster reefs and the oyster industry, is helping clean up Lake Mattamuskeet and so much more, he explained.

“Our coast and our state are better places because of the Coastal Federation’s work, he said. “Thanks for the honor. Keep up the great work. I plan to spend more time enjoying our coast’s resources and people as I transition into retirement.”

After Holman, Carter was recognized “for a Distinguished Career Dedicated to Environmental Protection and Justice.”

Miller said he’s had the pleasure of working with Carter as long has he’s worked with Holman, since the 1980s, and “has had a distinguished career that has left his mark on the environment.”

Carter, who grew up in Fayetteville, began his career in 1980, when he worked to promote effective environmental advocacy that aligned policy with the everyday interests of residents, Miller said.

Carter’s vision “is best illustrated by the bumper sticker he allowed us to distribute for four decades now” which reads ‘No Wetlands, No Seafood’,” Miller said. The “simple, yet powerful message” circulated millions of times by the Coastal Federation “resonates deeply with our coastal communities” and is a “rallying cry for wetlands protections, symbolizing the direct link between healthy ecosystems and the livelihoods of countless North Carolinians.”

Carter began working closely with the Coastal Federation in 1982 to incorporate it into a nonprofit and help launch the organization.

“Understanding the importance of grassroots support, he was able to blend his legal work with a diverse coalition of fishermen, farmers, hunters , birders, scientists and environmentalists,” Miller said.

They worked to successfully stop the proposal to strip mine 120,000 acres of peat wetlands along our northeast coast. That effort led to securing permanent protection for those lands, which are now the Alligator River and Pocosin Lakes wildlife refuges, he said.

Carter’s notable legal actions include major federal lawsuits that enforce wetlands rules and successful petition on behalf because the Coastal Federation to designate 10% of coastal waters is outstanding resource waters. He played a crucial role in saving Bird Island from development, led the opposition to the PCS Phosphate expansion and helped block Mobil Oil’s plans to drill out the North Carolina coast in the 1980s and 1990s.

Carter told Coastal Review that it has been an honor to work with and represent the Coastal Federation since it was founded in 1982.

“I have met along the way many volunteers, staff, and board members committed to protecting what is special about the North Carolina coast. No organization has done more to protect coastal wetlands, oysters, clean water, beaches and inlets, and traditional ways of life,” he said. “I recall the first meeting with Todd Miller when he presented the idea that informing and engaging citizens in protection of coastal resources could make a difference. His vision and the accomplishments of the organization speak for themselves.”

Other winners were recognized by region.

Northeast

Outer Banks Kayak Adventures for Dedicated Partnership in Support of Coastal Environmental Education and Engagement

Outer Banks Kayak Adventures offers kayak and stand-up paddleboard ecotours for all ages and levels of experience.

Owner Eli Wisden partnered with the Coastal Federation in 2023 to lead “Oysters Uncovered: The Kayak Edition tours.” The tours that take place in the spring and October, which is Oyster Month in North Carolina, highlight the half-acre demonstration oyster lease and shoreline protection methods at the Coastal Federation’s Wanchese office.

“Eli’s in-kind donations of kayaks, gear and guiding expertise made these tours accessible and memorable for all who participated,” staff said.

Wisden told Coastal Review that he agreed to provide the tours because he thinks that people engage more if they have first-hand experience versus listening to a presentation.

You can sit in a room and listen to a presentation, see a few props but actually going out on the kayaks see the lease and the “different ways of protecting the shoreline, and show the effect that the oysters actually really have — you can go out and physically see that the water around the lease is noticeably cleaner than the other waters that are in the sound — a really cool way to get people that maybe get excited or feel like they want to get involved more.”

He said he’s flattered and honored to be chosen for the recognition, but he said Victoria Blakey, coastal specialist with the Wanchese office, is “as deserving of the award as I am,” Wisden said, because she approached him about the partnership, and put together the presentation.  

Daniel Pullen for Exceptional Efforts to Inspire Coastal Stewardship through Art and Actions

Coming from nine generations of Cape Hatteras Lightkeepers, Daniel Pullen grew up on the Outer Banks and has been documenting the realities of life on a barrier island for the past two decades.

“He makes his art available to the Federation so that we can better illustrate our story and inspire others,” staff said, this includes his effort to document the Hatteras Island Oyster Roast each year, litter cleanups and oyster restoration events, and his advocacy describing the impact of shoreline erosion along the Outer Banks.

Pullen has won countless awards for his work including being recognized by Time Magazine in its Top 100 Photos of 2020, and the North Carolina Press Association’s Photographer of the Year in 2021.

“I’m thankful to be recognized,” Pullen said at the event, adding he looks forward to the continued partnership with the organization in the future to preserve our coastal communities.

Central

Coastal Environmental Partnership for Outstanding Collaboration in Support of Oyster Shell Recycling

The public solid waste authority has collaborated with the Coastal Federation since 2021 to collect recycled oyster shells from Pamlico, Craven, and Carteret counties.

“We truly value our partnership with CEP and commend their efforts to go the extra mile in their commitment to oyster shell recycling,” staff said.

The partnership donates its time and energy to transport the oyster shells. Their commitment both mitigates waste and help revitalizes crucial oyster habitats that contribute to improving water quality and shoreline stability along the coast.

“Through community engagement and educational outreach, CEP fosters environmental stewardship by raising awareness about the importance of oyster reefs and their role in coastal ecosystems, and the importance of their preservation for future generations,” staff said.

“Coastal Environmental Partnership is honored to be selected as a 2024 Pelican Award recipient by the North Carolina Coastal Federation. We are excited to partner with them on the Oyster Recycling Program. As a public regional solid waste authority serving Carteret, Craven, and Pamlico counties, we have a firsthand interest in protecting the coast and advancing environmental initiatives,” Executive Director Bobby Darden said about the award.

Matt Windsor for Supporting, Promoting and Advancing the Use of Living Shorelines

Now superintendent of Goose Creek State Park, Windsor has worked at seven parks, including Hammocks Beach, during his nearly 30-year career with the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation.

Windsor reignited the partnership between the Coastal Federation and Hammocks Beach State Park, which allowed the organization to continue its salt marsh and oyster restoration efforts at the park in Swansboro through expanding living shorelines on the park’s mainland, Bear and Jones islands.

Windsor was involved with the education, funding, planning, permitting, research and monitoring effort to construct 6,578 additional feet of living shorelines at the park.

“The living shorelines Windsor helped put in place are working to reduce shoreline erosion, provide habitat, and are helping to improve the water quality of our coast. We are truly thankful for our long-term and valued partnership with Matt that will continue into the future,” staff said.

“I am really grateful to the NC Coastal Federation for being recognized for a Pelican award for living shoreline work along with so many other deserving award winners.  None of this would have happened without the assistance of the NC Coastal Federation central office, Native Shorelines, the staff of Hammocks Beach State Park, and hardworking volunteers from the local community,” Windsor said.

Claude Crews for Leadership and Dedication to Coastal Protection, Recreation, and Cultural Resources

The success of Hammocks Beach State Park in Swansboro is due in large part to the leadership of Crews.

Hammocks Beach was established as a state park for African Americans in 1961. Before this, there was limited access for Black residents and visitors to enjoy public beaches in North Carolina. The park integrated in 1964, with the passage of the Civil Rights Act, and Crews became its first superintendent in 1969.

Crews served as a leader both at the park and within the community. He left Hammocks Beach State Park in 1981 after being superintendent for 16 years, and was then promoted to superintendent at Cliffs of the Neuse State Park. Crews currently resides in Hubert and is still involved through the Friends of the Hammocks and Bear Island.

“By leading park management and development, he contributed to a broader awareness of the significance of preserving natural habitats and cultural heritage for all communities,” staff said.

“I would like to thank the North Carolina Coastal Federation for honoring me, I am humble to be one of the many recipients who have received this award. I am sincerely grateful for the recognition,” Crews said.

Southeast

Carolina Beach State Park for Dedicated Partnership to Protect and Restore Coastal Habitat and Water Quality

Carolina Beach State Park staff have collaborated with the Federation since 2014 on a range of projects, including a 200-foot living shoreline installed in 2015. Both worked with the Division of Marine Fisheries in 2017 to create the 5-acre artificial recreational fishing and oyster reef just off the shore.

In the following years, park staff, the Federation, state agencies, Military Ocean Terminal Sunny Point, Army Corps of Engineers, and engineers combined efforts to implement a large-scale restoration project funded by the Kerr-McGee Navassa NRDA Restoration Plan.

Park and other state agency staff have worked to reduce and control invasive Phragmites on 10 acres of the park, which enabled the excavation of a 2,600-foot-long slough to restore the hydrology and wetland function of the area, and allowed for more than 100,000 wetland plants to be installed.

Staff is currently working with the Coastal Federation to install more than 1,500 feet of living shoreline and restore an additional 4 acres of oyster reef habitat in 2025.

“We are so excited to receive a Pelican Award! As the new Superintendent at Carolina Beach State Park, I love to see the park recognized for all the hard work the staff and volunteers have put in. I have to give a special shout out to park ranger Jesse Anderson for his passion and enthusiasm for protecting our natural coastal resources and sharing all of that knowledge with me since my arrival,” Park Superintendent Crystal Lloyd said.

N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission Law Enforcement Officers in Districts 1,2 and 4 for Exemplary Efforts to Remove Abandoned and Derelict Vessels from Coastal Waters

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission law enforcement officers transitioned from rescue and recovery operations after Hurricane Florence in September 2018 to assessing damage and boats displaced by the storm.

The commission provided staff time and resources to locate, assess potential pollution hazards, report, and investigate hundreds of vessels between Carteret and Brunswick counties, then eventually coastwide after storms since.

This effort along with support and authorization from the N.C. General Assembly led to the commission launching its Abandoned and Derelict Vessel Program while simultaneously working with the Department of Environmental Quality and Coastal Federation to conduct the largest coordinated removal of ADVs in the state’s history.

At the forefront of this effort, the law enforcement officers along the coast in Districts 1, 2, and 4 dedicated an estimated three months of their time investigating, contacting owners, and enforcing the rules of the ADV program.

“These officers went above and beyond their normal duties to enable the removal of over 350 ADVs by the Commission, its partners, and local governments,” staff said.

The Wildlife Resource Commission Law Enforcement Division “truly appreciates the recognition of our efforts with the Coastal Federation in collaboratively removing abandoned and derelict vessels from NC waterways. These vessels pose significant public safety hazards to boaters while also causing harm to the resources. It is always our priority to assist in these endeavors so boaters and other outdoor enthusiasts may safely enjoy wildlife-associated recreation on the waterways of NC,” Col. Ben Meyer said.

Capt. Kyle van Althuis with District 2 told Coastal Review that the commission is honored to receive this award.

“A major part of our core mission is to conserve North Carolina’s wildlife resources and their habitats and to provide safe boating opportunities to the public. Our work in removing abandoned and derelict vessels, in partnership with so many other excellent organizations, directly serves to accomplish this mission,” he said. “In particular, we want to highlight the extraordinary lengths our officers have gone to in order to address the ADV problem in NC. They truly are public servants and willing to go the extra nautical mile.”

DREAMS Center for Arts Education for Excellence in Community Education and Engagement

DREAMS Center for Arts Education in downtown Wilmington has provided arts programming at no charge since 1997 to youth and their families. The staff hold to their mission to “create a culture of confidence for youth and teens through equitable access to arts education supported by the values of respect, family, and community.”

While its primary focus is on visual, performing and digital arts, the center has embraced stewardship of the environment, transforming its grounds into an oasis for outdoor learning experiences.

When DREAMS grew out of their first facility they relocated and renovated a vacant 1939 former City of Wilmington bus maintenance garage. In May 2012, the Historic Wilmington Foundation honored DREAMS with the Adaptive Reuse Award.

DREAMS worked with N.C. Cooperative Extension to install retrofits at their parking lot to reduce polluted stormwater runoff from flowing to Burnt Mill Creek, and with Cape Fear Surfrider Foundation and Rainstorm Solutions to install a cistern to capture rain runoff from the building’s rooftop.

Most recently, DREAMS collaborated with the Cooperative Extension, North Carolina Sea Grant and the Coastal Federation to create an outdoor educational garden that not only adds beauty to the landscape but teaches students and their families about the value of native plants through hands-on learning.

“The Federation is honored to host environmental education programming with DREAMS youth and is in awe of every student we work with at the Center,” staff said.

“The DREAMS Center for Arts Education is deeply honored to receive the Pelican Award for Excellence in Community Education and Engagement. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff, students, and community partners,” Executive Director Kimberly D. Lebby said. “We are proud of our commitment to not only nurturing young artists but also cultivating environmental stewards. By integrating arts education with ecological awareness, we believe we are creating a more informed and engaged citizenry. We are grateful for the Coastal Federation’s partnership and support, and we look forward to continuing our work together to protect and preserve our environment.”

Coastwide

The Inlet Inn’s Coins for Conservation program For Outstanding Community Leadership and Collaboration

As owners of the Inlet Inn in Beaufort, When Jay Tervo and Barbara McKenzie-Tervo felt it was their responsibility to ensure that the environment continued to flourish while helping visitors enjoy the coast.

They launched the online Coins For Conservation that allows businesses to support area nonprofits. Current partners are Atlantic Beach Sea Turtle Project, Coastal Carolina Riverwatch, Friends of Rachel Carson Reserve, and the Coastal Federation.

The Inlet Inn was the first business on board, leading the way for other businesses to join them in giving back to protect our coast. In addition to coming up with the idea, launching the program, and serving as a role model for other businesses, they continue to work tirelessly to recruit local partners, host events and encourage other businesses to give back.

“Jay Tervo and Barbara McKenzie are committed to going above and beyond for our coast,” staff said.

“Jay and I are very touched and honored to receive a Pelican Award.  We are joyous to have found a way to create a steady stream of resources for the NCCF and are very encouraged that Coins for Conservation has taken a foothold here, locally. We look forward to growing business participation throughout the entire coast.  Most importantly, North Carolina deserves a clean coast and NC Coastal Federation is a huge ‘mussel’ (pardon the pun) in getting the job done! We appreciate all the work you do,” McKenzie-Tervo said in an email.

Ryan Bethea for Exemplary Actions to Inspire Stewardship of Coastal Resources

Bethea has been raising oysters since 2015 in waters near Harkers Island in Carteret County. His interest in the oyster industry was piqued after reading about the up-and-coming oyster farming business in a magazine.

An eighth-grade teacher bartending on the side at the time, he decided to try his hand at growing oysters. A graduate of N.C. Central University, Bethea earned a certificate in oyster genetics and aquaculture from the William & Mary Virginia Institute of Marine Science.

Bethea volunteers much of his time educating others about the environmental and economic benefits of oysters and the coastal habitats they depend on to thrive, hosts tours as a member of the North Carolina Oyster Trail, and teaches students at Boys and Girls Clubs and at Central University. He has been featured by Our State Magazine, PBS, NPR, Southern Living, and WRAL just to name a few.

“Ryan has used every step of his newfound career to inspire others to share his love and respect for the coast, ensuring a new generation of environmental stewards and coastal career professionals,” staff said.

“I’m honored to be recognized, and I’m proud to be able to spread the word about North Carolina oysters and our incredible resource we have here,” Bethea said.

Editor’s note: The organization provided the information on awards winners, which has been edited for length.