Applications are being accepted for local advisory committees of North Carolina’s 10 coastal reserves.
Sitting members of these committees include residents and representatives from community organizations, government agencies and nongovernmental partner organizations who provide guidance and feedback regarding program activities and management of the sites, which are overseen by the N.C. Division of Coastal Management’s Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve.
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Advisory committees “promote effective communication between the Reserve and the local community and represent a variety of perspectives from communities around the reserve sites,” according to a division release. Those sites include Bird Island Reserve, Bald Head Woods Reserve, Zeke’s Island Reserve, Masonboro Island Reserve, Permuda Island Reserve, Rachel Carson Reserve, Buxton Woods Reserve, Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve, Currituck Banks Reserve and Emily and Preyer Buckridge Reserve.
Members of each of the committees are comprised of those with “knowledge and experience representing relevant topical areas according to the needs and uses at each site,” including education, research, commercial and recreational uses, traditional uses like hunting and fishing, neighboring property ownership, volunteering and nonprofit community organization or interest group.
Members of the community who have an interest in serving as a committee member and who have knowledge and experience in one or more of the topical areas related to a site are encouraged to apply.
The Secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality will appoint committee members following the application period. Those selected will begin serving in 2027.
Committee members serve five-year terms.
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Applications are available online. The application period closes June 30.
For more information about the role, responsibilities and functioning of the local advisory committees visit the Local Advisory Committee Operating Procedures on the reserve’s website.
