Three meetings have been scheduled for the public to learn more about a plan intended to improve public access to the main highway for the Outer Banks.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation is working with the Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service and other federal and local agencies to develop a plan for a section of N.C. 12 in Dare County.

The vulnerable, 11-mile stretch of two-lane highway between the Marc Basnight Bridge and the Rodanthe “Jug Handle” Bridge is bordered closely on either side by the Atlantic Ocean and the Pamlico Sound and regularly experiences closures and maintenance issues from repeated storm damage.

Being called the Solving Access for N.C. 12 in Dare County, or SAND, Plan, the group began work in January on short- and long-term solutions to reduce travel disruptions for that section of roadway.

NCDOT representatives will be available to answer questions, facilitate public surveys, and receive comments during the following drop-in informational meetings, all scheduled for 5:30-7:30 p.m.:

• April 28 at the Hatteras Civic Center.
• April 29 at the Rodanthe Waves Salvo Community Building.
• April 30 at Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head.

The SAND project is funded with $1.86 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient and Cost Saving Transportation, or PROTECT, grant program.

“The plan aims to minimize environmental impacts and account for community considerations and the costs and feasibility of those solutions,” according to the release.

The team is using the Planning and Environment Linkages process to streamline future environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act. Community stakeholder and public input is being considered important to the process as the plan is developed.

“By addressing environmental requirements in the planning stages, project managers can avoid having to duplicate studies and tackle major environmental hurdles that could delay projects and increase the costs to deliver them,” officials said.

Written comments can be submitted at any of the public meetings or by calling at 984-205-6615 and entering project code 2463, by email at nc-12-access@ncdot.gov or on NCDOT’s public input portal.

Comments during this round of engagement must be provided by May 15. Additional public meetings will be held in the summer and fall. More information can be found on NCDOT’s website.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation announced Wednesday that its officials are considering new design options for the Carolina Bays Parkway Extension project in Brunswick County after feedback from the public.

NCDOT, in collaboration with the South Carolina Department of Transportation, is planning to extend S.C. Highway 31, aka the Carolina Bays Parkway, from S.C. Highway 9 in Horry County across the state line to U.S. Highway 17 in Brunswick County.

Proposed is a multilane highway that would use portions of the existing road in addition to building roadway in new areas. The total anticipated cost for the project is ​​$797 million. North Carolina’s share of the cost is estimated at $610.9 million. South Carolina anticipates construction commencing in 2029. North Carolina’s start date was listed as “TBD” on the project website.

In October 2025, the state highway departments jointly held two public hearings about the project. Seven different design alternatives were presented, including the departments’ preferred alternative known as Alternative 4.

NCDOT said Wednesday that, after reviewing public feedback and considering funding challenges, it’s not going to proceed with the North Carolina portion of Alternative 4, which builds on new location, tying in near the intersection of U.S. 17 and N.C. Highway 904.

Alternative 4 would also upgrade part of U.S. 17 to a fully controlled freeway from N.C. 904 to N.C. Highway 130 in Shallotte. 

The two state agencies and the Federal Highway Administration continue to collaborate and explore other alternatives and modified routes to minimize impacts and meet the purpose and need of the project, according to NCDOT’s announcement.

“NCDOT deeply values the input from this community and our stakeholders. We want to provide the region with the best possible roadway designs. We’ve listened to the feedback, and we’re working hard to prepare a new alternative,” said Division 3 Engineer Trevor Carroll in a statement.

Alternative 4 was preferred because of factors such as requiring the lowest number of residential displacements, estimated at 39, and the lowest number of identified noise effects. The impacts to wetlands and streams were also deemed moderate relative to other alternatives, despite a large amount of designated High-Quality Waters impacted.

A new alternative must include connectivity through the transportation network, increased mobility for the region and reduced travel time through the project corridor, officials noted in the announcement.

Additional information regarding the new design is to be presented to the public at a later date. 

NCDOT said it is “committed to transparency, innovative solutions and exploring community feedback regarding this project.” Its response to all comments received is available on the project webpage along with the most updated information regarding the project.

You can also follow NCDOT on social media for additional updates. 

The North Carolina Coastal Federation is set to break ground next month in Carteret County on what officials describe as a first-of-its-kind facility intended to help shellfish growers overcome market barriers.

The Coastal Federation, which publishes Coastal Review, says the Shellfish Mariculture Hub in Straits, an unincorporated Down East community with deep commercial seafood heritage, will serve as a shared resource for shellfish growers, marking a significant milestone in sustainable shellfish aquaculture in the state and supporting the local community. The Shellfish Mariculture Hub promises to enhance the production capabilities of shellfish farmers while promoting collaboration and innovation, according to the Coastal Federation, which plans to hold a groundbreaking ceremony at 11 a.m. May 4.

Situated at the Straits Landing Boat Ramp, the facility will provide shared refrigeration, equipment and water access, all of which farmers need to grow a thriving local industry rooted in coastal heritage and vital to the state’s blue economy. 

“From costly water access to long hauls for refrigeration and distribution, oyster growers face logistical barriers at every step,” explained Coastal Federation Oyster Program Director Alyson Flynn. “This facility is the solution towards streamlining operations and strengthening the shellfish mariculture industry.” 

Construction of the 50-foot, square building is expected to begin this summer.

The Shellfish Mariculture Hub is part of a broader, coordinated effort to grow the state’s oyster industry into a $100 million sector by 2030 — creating jobs, strengthening the coastal economy, and advancing resilient working waterfronts. By addressing a critical industry gap, the hub will lower barriers to market entry for new growers while enabling existing growers to expand and scale their operations, supporting the next generation of shellfish farmers. 

“Not only is the hub a centralized support facility for growers, but it is also an innovative model for the future of shellfish mariculture—equipping growers to thrive and serving as a blueprint for industry growth and investment along our coast,” said Flynn. 

Services honoring the late Larry Strother, a North Topsail Beach alderman who “had an unwavering commitment to protecting the shoreline and a profound love for his community,” have been scheduled for early May.

Strother’s family will receive friends from 6-8:30 p.m. on Friday, May 1 at Snead’s Ferry Presbyterian Church, 776 NC-210, in Sneads Ferry. A celebration of life will be held at the church at 11 a.m. on May 2. A private family inurnment will be at a later time.

Strother died April 12. He was 79.

The native North Carolinian was an accomplished high school athlete who honed leadership skills as a teenager, according to his obituary.

He left college and enlisted in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, serving his country from 1965 until 1970. During that time, he received several awards and medals, including the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V” for meritorious service. 

Strother went on to thrive in a career in the real estate and construction industries.

As a North Topsail Beach alderman, Strother chaired the North Topsail Beach Inlet-Sound-Advisory Committee. He was also vice chairman of the Topsail Island Shoreline Protection Commission.

“Larry understood the shoreline was more than sand and water — it was the heart of NTB, a source of livelihood, beauty, and connection for generations of residents and visitors alike,” his obituary reads.

A town release announcing Strother’s death last week states he was “a devoted public servant whose impact on our community will not soon be forgotten.”

“Throughout his years of service, he was a tireless advocate for the renourishment and preservation of our cherished beaches. His unwavering commitment to protecting North Topsail Beach reflected his profound love for this place and the people who call it home. He will be remembered not only for his leadership and dedication but for his kindness, his steady presence, and his deep-rooted passion for the community he served so faithfully. North Topsail Beach has lost a true champion, and his absence will be felt along every stretch of shore he fought so hard to protect.”

Strother is survived by his wife, Lori, two sons, Ryan F. Strother of Colorado Springs, and Christopher W. Strother, and wife Emily, of Athens, Georgia, six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and multiple nieces and nephews.

Donations to the Snead’s Ferry Presbyterian Church’s building campaign, P.O. Box 758 Snead’s Ferry, NC 28460, are requested in lieu of flowers.

Help shape the future of Wilmington’s newest public park.

The city is hosting a public engagement from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on May 2 to gather community input on the park’s design, amenities, and overall vision.

Those who attend the engagement at the MLK Center at 401 S. Eighth St. will have the opportunity to share their ideas directly with project partners and design teams.

Family-friendly activities, games, and food trucks will be available to attendees of the vent 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Design teams at 1 p.m. will provide a brief recap of key themes and feedback shared during the event.

Last March, the city, with funding support from The Endowment and New Hanover County, purchased 25 undeveloped acres off Greenville Loop Road to undertake a project that aligns with Wilmington’s Comprehensive Parks, Recreation + Open Space Master Plan.

The city aims to open the site for public use in five years.

On May 2, the city is launching a digital survey as a way to encourage broader community participation.

Carteret County is offering its residents a free drive-through service on Saturday to collect common household hazardous waste.

The waste collection is hosted by the Carteret County Solid Waste Division, in partnership with Coastal Environmental Partnership, and is set for 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Carteret County Health Department parking lot, 3820 Bridges St., Morehead City. Proof of residency will be required.

Small quantities of household hazardous items, including cooking oil, automotive fluids such as gasoline, used motor oil and antifreeze, lawn and garden pesticides, batteries and paint will be accepted.

Trained staff who will be on-site to unload these materials from resident’s vehicles will not accept infectious waste, gas cylinders, commercial waste, radioactive materials, ammunition, or explosives.

“Proper disposal of household hazardous waste helps prevent contamination of water sources, reduces risks to sanitation workers, and protects the environment,” according to a county release.

Coastal Environmental Partnership, or CEP, which serves Carteret, Craven and Pamlico counties, provides a series of household hazardous waste collection events throughout the year.

For more information about this or future collection opportunities, visit carteretcountync.gov or contact the Carteret County Public Works Department at 252-648-7878.

Residents may also contact CEP Education and Outreach Coordinator Somer Peede at 252-633-1564 or somer@crswma.com.

As tree pollen continues to dust outside surfaces and flowers take bloom this spring, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is reminding residents to take precautions as native black bears become more active now through the fall.

The commission, in partnership with BearWise, encourages residents to look for potential bear attractants around their homes and in their communities.

“By being proactive in removing these attractants now, residents can avoid future interactions with black bears,” Wildlife Resource Commission BearWise Coordinator Ashley Hobbs stated in a release. “The majority of calls about bears to our NC Wildlife Helpline involve some form of unsecured food attractant. When bears have access to food attractants, they’re more likely to hang around our homes and communities. This puts people, pets and bears at risk.”

BearWise, an association of fish and wildlife agencies, provides a checklist of potential bear attractants around homes and in communities, including garbage and recycling, bird and other wildlife feeders, grills, pet food, and snacks and trash inside vehicles.

Residents are also encouraged to leash up pets and secure small livestock, including chickens, and their feed, during the spring.

“Dogs and bears don’t mix,” Hobbs said. “They often act defensively toward each other. Never allow your dog to harass, chase or corner a bear. Always keep your dog on a non-retractable leash. Leashes really do save lives and prevent injuries.”

Livestock owners, especially those with smaller animals, should consider bringing them inside a bear-resistant building at night, and install electric fencing around coops and pastures to keep bears away.

BearWise offers guidance on ways to ensure all feed and grain is locked up and out of reach of bears.

North Carolina’s black bear population stretches across the state, from the mountains to the sea.

The Wildlife Resources Commission offers assistance from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday through its wildlife helpline at 866-318-2401.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation said this week that it will conduct continuous lane closures on a major Beaufort County bridge over the next two years.

On Monday, crews are to begin preservation work along a portion of U.S. Highway 17 that connects Washington to Chocowinity. The 16-year-old bridge crosses over U.S. 17 Business and the Tar River.

This preservation work is part of routine maintenance to maximize the lifespan of the structure, officials noted in the announcement.

Crews are to begin by altering the existing pavement markings. Once installed, the inside lanes in both directions will close first, leaving the outside lanes open to traffic. Once interior lane work is completed, the outside lanes will close and the inside lanes will open to traffic.

Through traffic will be maintained for the duration of the project, officials said. Work is expected to last until summer 2028.

Drivers should use caution when traveling through the work zone and plan for increased travel times.

You can get real-time travel information at DriveNC.gov or by following NCDOT on social media.

Residents and visitors to the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher have a little more than a month to visit the state’s southernmost aquarium before it temporarily closes for major renovation and expansion.

The aquarium in Kure Beach will close May 26 for construction to include a 400,000-gallon sand tiger shark habitat, a 10,000-gallon Pacific coral habitat, an interactive shark and ray touch pool featuring bottom-dwelling sharks, and a state-of-the-art education center.

Construction is expected to take about 30 months.

“This transformative project is beginning as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the North Carolina Aquariums,” Pamela B. Cashwell, secretary of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, said in a release. “It is a thrilling way to honor a legacy of conservation, exceptional visitor experience and dedicated animal care, while launching a bold vision for the future.”

Plans for the renovation and expansion project have been underway for more than 10 years. The project is made possible with state funding, along with support from the N.C. Aquarium Society.

During the closure, residents and visitors to the area can enjoy Discovery Bay, which will feature a gift shop hosted by the N.C. Aquarium Society, habitats with seahorses, dart frogs, and lionfish, and a carnivorous plant exhibit at Independence Mall in Wilmington.

The public may continue to visit the state’s other aquariums, including Pine Knoll Shores, Roanoke Island, and Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head.

“We look forward to beginning construction, while continuing to engage our community in new ways,” NCAFF Director Joanna Zazzali said in a release. “Discovery Bay allows us to stay connected with our visitors, advance our conservation mission, and continue to inspire wonder, as we look toward our next chapter.” 

Animal care, facilities and safety teams will remain at Fort Fisher Aquarium to care for the animals that will remain at the facility throughout construction.

Visitors are encouraged to reserve tickets ahead of the closure and share their experiences on social media using the hashtag #PoseBeforeWeClose.

For updates, follow the aquarium on Facebook, Threads, and Instagram.

The University of North Carolina Wilmington Blue Economy Index (Bloomberg Ticker: BLUEECO) declined 4.15% in March amid what index managers described in a news release as “a broad global market selloff.”

The index tracks the “economic activity of companies operating within oceans and waterways, with a focused lens on environmental sustainability.” It aligns with the World Bank’s Blue Economy definition: “the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of the ocean ecosystem.” It offers investors a way to evaluate the sustainable growth potential of sectors such as shipping, offshore energy, aquaculture, and marine infrastructure.

By comparison, the index’s major benchmarks recorded steeper losses than BLUEECO, with the Standard & Poor’s 500 falling 5.16%, the Morgan Stanley Capital International All World Index declining 6.22%, and the S&P Industrials dropping 10.66% during March.

“The downturn was driven by rising geopolitical tensions and renewed inflation concerns, which weighed on investor sentiment throughout the month,” according to the index managers. On a year-to-date basis through the first quarter, BLUEECO is still up 12.06%, compared to 4.30% for the S&P Industrials and declines of 3.52% for the MSCI All World Index and 4.63% for the S&P 500.

Industrials declined 7.61% in March, losing much of the strong gains seen earlier in the year, which was attributed to “renewed trade policy uncertainty and tariff escalation, which dampened capital expenditure expectations and weighed on cyclical demand across heavy industry and manufacturing segments,” according to the release.

Consumer staples declined 7.89% in March, driven by rising input costs across energy and logistics, alongside currency headwinds in key export markets, which, officials said, put pressure on margins for food production, processing, and distribution companies.

Utilities declined 3.90% in March, showing some resilience during the broader market selloff.

Consumer discretionary spending slipped 13.35% in March, making it the worst-performing sector. “The decline reflected deteriorating consumer confidence amid escalating trade tensions and equity market volatility, which weighed heavily on forward bookings and discretionary spending across travel, leisure, and cruise operators,” according to the release.

March’s top performers were concentrated in utilities and renewable energy, supported by rising energy prices and increased strategic interest in power and infrastructure assets.

For more, visit the Alliance for the Blue Economy.

Four new historic districts and 19 properties across the state, five of which are on the coast, have been added to the National Register of Historic Places in the last year, the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources announced this week.

Part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources, the National Historic Register is the “official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation,” that was authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and is under the National Park Service.

“Each addition to the National Register of Historic Places represents another step in preserving North Carolina’s unique story,” said the department’s Secretary Pamela Cashwell in a statement Thursday. “These sites help connect our communities to their past while supporting cultural tourism and local economies.” 

In Beaufort County, Pantego School No. 2 was listed Feb. 24. The Rosenwald-funded school building was completed in 1926 and remained operational as an integrated school after 1968, until it closed in the spring of 2001, the application states.

Winnabow is an 1845 Greek Revival frame house with a double-pile center-passage plan at 677 Governor Road, in Brunswick County that was was Dec. 29, 2025.

Clubfoot and Harlow Canal in Carteret and Craven counties, which was listed Feb. 23, is a roughly 3-mile artificial channel dug that opened July 1827 across a peninsula connecting Clubfoot Creek and the Neuse River at the north to Harlow Creek and the Newport River to the south.

The 1850 Adam Dough Etheridge House in Dare County was listed Aug. 11, 2025. The two-story, single pile, vernacular dwelling features a side-gabled roof and partially enclosed full-width porches on the façade, common among houses on Roanoke Island in the 18th and early 19th centuries.

Located in Pasquotank County, Oak Grove Cemetery, which was listed Aug. 11, 2025, is Elizabeth City’s oldest extant Black cemetery. The Black community formally established it on 2.53 acres in 1886, expanded it twice in 1921, and again in 1955 to approximately 8 acres, which it remains today within a 14-acre parcel, according to documents.

The listing of a property in the National Register places no obligation or restriction on a private owner using private resources to maintain or alter the property.

Over the years, various federal and state incentives have been introduced to assist private preservation initiatives, including tax credits for the rehabilitation of National Register properties.

As of Dec. 31, 2025, there have been 4,455 completed historic rehabilitation projects with private investments of $4 billion statewide.

The recreational black sea bass fishing season in North Carolina waters north of Cape Hatteras will open for eight months beginning May 1.

During the season, which wraps Dec. 31, the size limit for black sea bass is no shorter than 13 inches in total length, specifically the snout to to the tip of the tail, excluding the filament at the end of the tail.

The bag limit is 15 fish per person, per day.

State regulations on the black sea bass recreational fishery apply to waters within three nautical miles from shore.

Those regulations are, at the moment, different from those covering federal waters, which extend from 3 to 200 nautical miles off shore, because of delays in the federal rulemaking process that would align regulations in federal and state waters, according to the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries.

“The Division anticipates this change will occur later this year,” according to a release.

In federal waters north of Cape Hatteras, the size limit for black sea bass is a minimum of 15 inches and the bag limit is five fish per person, per day. The recreational season within federal waters is May 15-Sept. 8.

Recreational fishers who catch black sea bass in state waters must adhere to the state’s size limit, regardless of harvest location.

Next year, the state’s recreational black sea bass season north of Cape Hatteras will open April 1, extending the season by 53 additional days compared to this year.

The recreational black sea bass fishery south of Cape Hatteras, which is managed by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, has the same size limit as the fishery north of Cape Hatteras.

The bag limit is 7 fish per person, per day.

The black sea bass season south of Cape Hatteras begins April 1 of each year and closes when the quota is met. That season remains open.

For additional information, contact Chris Batsavage at 252-241-2995 or Chris.Batsavage@deq.nc.gov.

From a Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center announcement

As the Los Angeles Dodgers start the new baseball season hoping to win their third consecutive World Series title, it seems like a good time to remember a Morehead City native who helped the team reach even greater heights more than 40 years ago.

Ben Wade didn’t display his real talent, as it turned out, on the pitching mound. Prone to wildness and home runs, he was merely an average major-league pitcher in a five-year career during which he bounced around the National League. He showed his real skill later, as a scout and then longtime scouting director for the Dodgers. Wade’s ability to project the type of players youngsters would become led to nine pennants, seven World Series appearances, and four titles.

Frank Tursi, Coastal Review’s founding editor and the author of a new book about North Carolina natives who played major-league baseball, will talk about Wade and his brother, Jake, also a big-league pitcher, on Saturday, April 25, at the Core Sound Museum Store, 806 Arendell St. in Morehead City. His book, “Tar Heel Boys of Summer: North Carolina’s Major League Ballplayers,” will be available for purchase, and museum members will get a 10% discount. Tursi will sign copies.

The stories of 34 big leaguers are featured in the book. Included are all seven Hall of Famers: Luke Appling of High Point, Rick Ferrell of Friendship in Guilford County, Jim “Catfish” Hunter of Hertford, Buck Leonard of Rocky Mount, Gaylord Perry of Williamston, Enos Slaughter of Roxboro and Hoyt Wilhelm of Huntersville. Tursi also tells the stories of players who almost made it to Cooperstown like Johnny Allen, the hot-headed orphan from Thomasville, and Ferrel’s brother, Wes, the dairy farmer with the Hollywood good looks.

At least 50 Black North Carolinians, like Leonard, played major-league ball during the time of the sport’s apartheid. They played in their own leagues, mostly unseen by white fans. Most never heard of Red Grier of Catawba County, who threw a no-hitter in a Black World Series 30 years before Don Larsen pitched his perfect game, or Charlie Smith of Hamlet, who could very well be the best hitter there ever was. Tursi tells their stories as well as those of other Negro Leaguers for the first time in his book.

Tursi, a journalist who lives in Swansboro, has spent almost 40 years roaming North Carolina writing about its people, culture and history. His book paints a picture of a state now long gone, he noted. “Collectively, these stories tell of a North Carolina of the early and mid-20th century,” he said. “It was a rural state of small towns and family farms where tobacco and cotton were kings.”

Baseball, he noted, was truly America’s Game, back then, played in every school yard and hamlet. In the era before free agents, few got rich playing it professionally, he said. “I hope these stories give readers a sense of what it was like when farmers and mill hands and fishermen’s sons, like the Wades, left the tobacco fields, mill villages and small towns to play a game, not for the money, really, but for the pure pleasure it brought them,” he said.

The book, Tursi’s fourth, also includes thumbnail sketches of all 501 North Carolinians who played in the majors – the most-extensive compendium compiled of native players – complete career pitching and batting statistics and Top 10 rankings in major offensive and pitching categories.

Brunswick County property owners and residents can dispose of everything but regular household trash and hazardous waste at no charge next week.

The county landfill in Bolivia is accepting during Free Cleanup Week scheduled for Monday through Saturday metal, tires, electronics, latex paint, clothing, shoes, used oil, oil filters, antifreeze, gasoline, fluorescent bulbs, used cooking oil, smoke detectors, household batteries, and yard debris.

Located at 172 Landfill Road, landfill hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

Participants must show proof of Brunswick County property ownership or residency. Businesses and commercial vehicles will be charged normal tipping fees.

A full list of accepted items on the Accepted Items and Tipping Fees webpage.

North Carolina State Archives’ staff plan to explore during an hourlong webinar the historic records of various ethnic groups coming to North Carolina from the late 19th century to the present.

Scheduled for noon Wednesday, April 22, register in advance using the Zoom link to participate in the program offered at no charge.

For the program, America 250 Educator Alana Gomez will highlight the stories of several individuals and patterns in various counties with an overview of  “‘Alien,’ Naturalization and Citizenship Records (1880s-1950s).”

Government records archivist Evanna Derkach will focus on the papers of Hugh MacRae, a businessman and white supremacist who was a leading figure in the 1898 Wilmington coup and who also planned six rural farming communities in southeastern North Carolina. MacRae recruited 800 immigrants to populate these areas during the early 20th century.

Oral historian John Horan will discuss the launch of the “New Americans” oral history project, which captures the perspectives of more recent newcomers to this state with their own voices, according to the state.

All three panelists are first- and second-generation Americans themselves, representing Italian, Latin American, Lebanese, and Ukrainian descent.

The State Archives is part of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, which is leading the America 250 NC, North Carolina’s commemoration of the United States’ 250th anniversary.

America 250 NC focuses on two broad concepts. The commemorative themes explore “Revolutionary US,” or the historical events of the Revolution and “North Carolina and When Are We US?” that explores the ideas of freedom, civic responsibility, overcoming challenges, and change as we lean into the ideals of democracy. This program is part of the “When Are We US?” theme.

For more information about America 250 NC, visit america250.nc.gov.

For more information, contact Adrienne Berney at adrienne.berney@dncr.nc.gov or 919-814-6863.

Dare county residents and property owners are invited to participate in an interactive workshop on Tuesday to review and discuss key preliminary findings from an assessment of the vulnerability of unincorporated areas to flooding.

The North Carolina Resilient Coastal Communities Program is hosting the action development program from 5-7 p.m. in room 238 of the Dare County Administration Building, 954 Marshall Collins Drive, Manteo.

The workshop will be a drop-in, open house-style event with interactive stations where participants can learn about the program, review findings of from the assessment, and provide input on topics ranging from natural resources, stormwater management, infrastructure and residential adaptation in unincorporated Dare County.

The workshop will begin with a brief presentation. Refreshments and light snacks will be provided.

The assessment was conducted by a consulting firm through the North Carolina Resilient Coastal Communities Program, which is administered by the Division of Coastal Management to support coastal resilience goals, assess community capacity, and identify and prioritize projects that strengthen resilience to coastal hazards. The division is under North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality.

The Coastal Environmental Educators Network will again host its annual Earth Fair OBX at Jockey’s Ridge State Park later this month.

The fair taking place from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 25, will be an opportunity to hear from organizations working to preserve the delicate ecosystems of the Outer Banks.

“Share your love for the natural world and check out our fun and informative exhibits and activities for kids. Walk around and explore the exhibitors, state of the art Visitors Center and other features of the State Park,” organizers said.

Kitty Hawk Kites and Dare Arts Council teamed up to create the Outer Banks Sweep the Beach Trash Art Contest. Artists were asked to create and submit work from the trash they have collected from Outer Banks beaches now on display along the “TrART Walk” at Jockey’s Ridge Crossing. Work will be judged on April 20 and winners will be announced at the Kitty Hawk Kites booth during the event.  

North Carolina Department of Transportation officials are kicking off this year’s spring litter sweep this weekend.

The biannual statewide roadside litter removal initiative, ​​usually held last two weeks of April and September, encourages residents to join efforts in their community to help clean up North Carolina’s roadways. 

The 2026 spring litter sweep begins Saturday and ends April 25.

While NCDOT does not assign specific dates, groups or individuals can contact for recommendations their NCDOT County Maintenance Yard office​ or local coordinator for NCDOT’s Litter Management Program, who are responsible for managing anti-litter programs, such as Adopt-A-Highway and Litter Sweep, in their assigned counties.

NCDOT does provide cleanup supplies, such as reversible orange-blue trash bags, gloves and orange safety vests, that can be obtained from the volunteer’s county maintenance yard or through the local coordinator.

Organizers are asking volunteers that find anything unusual or interesting during the litter sweep cleanup, use the hashtag, #StrangeLitter on social media​.​​

More details and a frequently asked questions are on NCDOT’s website.

Gardeners, nature enthusiasts, educators, community organizers and others with a drive to help pollinators can join in the Great Southeast Pollinator Census in August.

North Carolina Cooperative Extension is launching the state’s census effort with a webinar at 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 15. Register for “Getting Started with the Great Southeast Pollinator Census in NC” through the online form.

The community science effort to track pollinator visitations across the Southeast is designed so that anyone, regardless of scientific background, can contribute.

Amanda Bratcher, the state’s census coordinator based at the extension office in Lee County, will lead the 90-minute webinar, which will review the 15-minute method for counting pollinators, and how to identify the insect.

A University of Georgia Project, the Great Southeast Pollinator Census was launched in 2022. In that time, more than 1.2 million insects across 66,000 individual counts have been documented in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Alabama.

A seven-week online course is also being offered Tuesday afternoons from June 16 to July 28. The cost of the course is $50 and the commitment to lead, assist or participate in a Great Southeast Pollinator Census event this year. Registration is open for the few remaining seats for the course.

“Help us capture a snapshot of pollinator activity in communities across North Carolina, including the types of pollinators and which flowers they visit, and help build a southeast-wide data set with other states,” organizers said.

There are resources for those who want to participate as well as for groups interested in hosting a counting event on the extension’s webpage for the census.

A PBS docuseries exploring how to feed a growing population while protecting oceans, marine ecosystems and coastal communities will be featured as the Coastal Studies Institute’s Science on the Sound Lecture Series installment for this month, and in celebration of Earth Week.

The third episode of the series, “Hope in the Water,” titled “Changing the Menu,” will be shown at the historic Pioneer Theater in Manteo the evening of Monday, April 20. There is no charge to attend but registration is required at https://bit.ly/HopeInTheWater.

“Hope in the Water,” produced by Andrew Zimmern and David E. Kelley, “blends science, food, and storytelling to spotlight innovative solutions in what’s often called the ‘blue food’ system—food sourced from oceans, rivers, and aquaculture. Rather than focusing solely on the problems surrounding fisheries, the series highlights practical, real-world solutions, from regenerative aquaculture to rethinking the species we eat,” organizers said.

The event starts with a prescreening reception at 5:30 p.m. in the Pioneer Theater courtyard, featuring local seafood available for purchase from Basnight’s Lone Cedar Café food truck, beverages, and educational displays from community partners.

The film screening will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by a cookbook giveaway and discussion with the following panelists:

• Dr. Sara Mirabilio, fisheries extension specialist with N.C. Sea Grant.
• Chef Mac Buben, owner of Sea Chef Dockside Kitchen.
• Evan Ferguson, food blogger and media coordinator at Cape Hatteras Secondary School.
• Jake Griffin, a local commercial fisherman.

The panel will discuss local efforts to diversify seafood consumption and offer perspectives on the future of seafood in North Carolina and beyond.

“This event is an opportunity to connect our community with the people and ideas shaping the future of seafood,” CSI Executive Director Reide Corbett said in a statement. “By bringing together scientists, fishers, chefs, and educators, we hope to inspire more sustainable choices that support both coastal livelihoods and healthy marine ecosystems.”

The Coastal Studies Institute, located in Wanchese on the East Carolina University Outer Banks Campus, has partnered with Fed by Blue, North Carolina Sea Grant, and the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau to host the viewing. Science on the Sound is CSI’s monthly, in-person lecture series brings perspectives from all over the state and highlights coastal topics in northeastern North Carolina.

The Master Gardener Volunteer Association is hosting is annual native plant sale April 16-19 in Wilmington.

Now in its 39th year, the sale will feature more than 8,000 plant varieties, showcasing native plants that support wildlife populations in southeastern North Carolina and enhance the community’s botanical landscape.

Annuals, perennials, herbs and vegetables, azaleas, Japanese maples, and shrubs will be available for selection during the four-day sale, which will run 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Thursday, April 16, through Saturday, April 18, and noon – 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 19.

The sale will be held at the New Hanover County Arboretum and N.C. Cooperative Extension, 6206 Oleander Drive.

The event will host a free seed exchange in the Cooperative Extension’s Plant Clinic. Houseplants will be made available through the Ability Garden, and an expert talk will be held on Japanese maple care and pruning.

Expert guidance will be offered from master gardener volunteers and extension staff on plant selections and they will help with safely and securely transferring plants to vehicles.

Parking and plant carts are limited, so participants are encouraged to carpool and bring their own carts to reduce wait time.

The arboretum will be closed April 13-15 in preparation for the sale.

A North Carolina-based nonprofit is offering one lucky winner an opportunity to get away — really away — from it all for a few days.

FPTower Inc. is raffling off a four-night, five-day mission immersive eco-adventure at Frying Pan Tower for its 2026 “Save a Life” fundraising campaign to strengthen coastal rescue capabilities while supporting offshore research operations.

Participants of the raffle will be entered for a chance to win a stay on the former U.S. Coast Guard light station, which sits a little more than 30 miles off the coast from the mouth of the Cape Fear River.

Funds will be used to purchase and donate four U Safe self-propelled, remotely controlled, lifesaving buoys to the coastal communities that receive the most public nominations through raffle participation.

Each raffle ticket equates to one “coastal point.” The top four communities with the most points will receive a buoy.

“This campaign represents a direct investment in public safety,” FPTower Inc. Executive Director Richard Neal stated in a release. “By combining community engagement with lifesaving technology, we are helping coastal communities enhance rescue readiness while continuing our offshore research and maritime safety mission.”

The winner and up to three guests will be provided charter vessel transportation to and from the tower, private ocean-facing accommodations, chef-prepared meals, marine exploration opportunities, a guided tour of the historic station, and world-class stargazing.

The tower, which was completed in November 1964 and retired from active Coast Guard service in 2004, now serves as a platform for environmental research, coastal resilience initiatives, and maritime outreach.

The raffle runs through 11:59 p.m. Memorial Day, May 25. The winner will be announced at 9 a.m. May 26.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore officials advise visitors to its east-facing beaches to exercise caution through Saturday because the persistent northeast winds and breaking waves forecast for the next few days could cause coastal erosion and damage to beach houses.

The National Weather Service is calling for strong winds, dangerous rip currents and longshore currents are expected for much of the beaches from Duck to Cape Lookout, as well as portions of Onslow County, over the coming days, with waves in the surf zone that could reach up to 8 feet at times, according to its social media.

In the advisory the National Park Service issued late afternoon Tuesday, officials said the potential weather could cause the partial or full collapse of one or more threatened oceanfront structures in Buxton and Rodanthe.

Officials also note that the entirety of Buxton’s beachfront is closed because of public safety hazards associated with the presence of threatened oceanfront structures in or near the ocean.

“The proximity of these structures to seashore lands poses a serious risk to visitors walking along the beach or wading in the surf,” officials said. “Additionally, a public safety closure of a stretch of beach from the south end of Buxton to just north of off-road vehicle ramp 43 remains in place.”

Share your experiences and learn more about the issues surrounding shellfish aquaculture in Stump Sound and Topsail Sound next week during an informational presentation and listening session.

The North Carolina Coastal Federation and North Carolina Sea Grant are hosting the session from 1 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, in the town council’s chambers at the Surf City Municipal Complex, 214 W. Florence Way, Hampstead.

“Your feedback will help shape a balanced, informed path forward,” according to a promotional flier for the event.

The session will cover conflicts and perceived and actual problems regarding shellfish leases, such as those associated with viewshed and property values, navigation and safety, congestion and density.

“We know coastal waters mean different things to different people, and we want to hear from you,” according to the flier.

Coastal Federation Advocate Kerri Allen and Sea Grant Extension Director Frank Lopez are to facilitate the session, which is to be a scripted presentation and listening session, not a public hearing.

In April 2025, Rep. Carson Smith, R-Pender, introduced legislation to require a statewide study on shellfish leasing and current lease moratoriums. That measure, House Bill 841, was cleared by the House but stalled in the Senate, where it passed a first vote but was then referred on May 7, 2025, to the rules committee, where it remains.

Organizers of the listening session noted that space is limited and registration is required.

Those unable to attend but who wish to share their input may submit comments to https://forms.gle/sCJ1uLGCgbhig6Zr8.

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The North Carolina Coastal Federation has acquired 787 acres along the North River in Carteret County, expanding the North River Wetlands Preserve to close to 7,000 acres.

The property, purchased for just shy of $1.9 million, is expected to further the nonprofit organization’s mission to protect water quality, while supporting military operations. The new land is also going to provide a new official portion of North Carolina’s Mountains-to-Sea Trail, the environmental group said Monday.

The North River Wetlands Preserve was once mostly ditched and drained farm land but has been restored over the past two decades into one of the largest rehabilitated wetland systems in state.

The new property was purchased through a partnership of state, federal and nonprofit funding, including $590,000 from the U.S. Department of Defense, $449,000 from the Complete the Trails Program for the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, and $964,691 from the N.C. Land and Water Fund for acquisition and transaction costs. 

With the property acquisition April 2, the preserve includes the headwaters of the North River, Wards Creek, and Jarrett Bay, “forming a connected natural system that filters runoff, improves water quality, and sustains productive fisheries downstream,” according to the organization.

“The newly protected tract includes forested wetlands, upland areas, and approximately 6,900 linear feet of tributaries flowing into the North River—a designated Primary Nursery Area and contributor to the Outstanding Resource Waters of Core and Back Sounds,” the organization added.

The Coastal Federation said it plans to begin restoring the site’s natural hydrology by reconnecting wetlands, improving drainage patterns, and enhancing long-term resilience to sea level rise. 

Coastal Federation Executive Director Braxton Davis explained in a release that the acquisition reflects the kind of forward-looking investment North Carolina needs.

“One that protects water quality, strengthens coastal ecosystems, supports military readiness, and creates meaningful public access. Expanding the North River Wetlands Preserve to nearly 7,000 acres ensures this landscape will provide lasting benefits for communities, fisheries, and future generations,” he said.

The land will be a new official section of North Carolina’s Mountains-to-Sea Trail, which is a 1,400-mile route connecting the Great Smoky Mountains to the Outer Banks, and is managed by North Carolina State Parks. 

“The acquisition of this property represents a transformational moment for the Mountains-to-Sea Trail in this area,” Brent Laurenz, executive director of Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, said in a release. “We’re so appreciative of the partnership with the Federation to acquire this property for both the significant addition it will make to the MST and for its long-term conservation value.” 

The Department of Navy used funding from the Defense Department’s Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration, or REPI, Program, to secure a permanent restrictive use easement over the property where low-altitude helicopter training routes associated with Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point operations are held.

“This project represents years of work bringing together the right partners and funding to protect a truly special place,” Todd Miller, senior adviser to the Coastal Federation and project manager for the acquisition, said in a statement.

“By securing this property, we are safeguarding the headwaters of the North River, expanding one of the most important coastal preserves in the state, and creating a permanent route for the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. It’s a powerful example of how conservation can deliver clean water, public access, and support for our military at the same time,” he added.

This project is part of the organization’s “Lands for a Healthy Coast” initiative, which focuses on conserving strategic coastal landscapes that protect water quality, sustain fisheries, and build resilience to climate change. The Coastal Federation publishes Coastal Review.

Additional partners on the project include the North Carolina General Assembly, and Morehead City attorney John Harris.

The North Carolina Coastal Resources Commission is to meet next week to consider proposed language amendments for inlet hazard areas.

The meeting for the commission, which establishes policies for the N.C. Coastal Management Program and adopts rules for both the Coastal Area Management Act and the N.C. Dredge and Fill Act, will begin with a field trip to Ocean Isle Beach’s terminal groin at 3 p.m. on April 15. 

The full commission meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. on April 16 at 111 Causeway Drive, Ocean Isle Beach. An in-person public comment period is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. that day. The public may sign up to speak upon arrival at the meeting.  

Members of the public may attend in-person or join the meeting Thursday through the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s YouTube channel. 

The commission establishes areas of environmental concern, which are authorized under CAMA, and are the bases of the permitting program for regulating coastal development.

There are three types of ocean hazard AECs: ocean erodible, inlet hazard, and unvegetated beach.

The ocean erodible area is “the area where there exists a substantial possibility of excessive erosion and significant shoreline fluctuation,” and the inlet hazard area is defined as “locations that ‘are especially vulnerable to erosion, flooding and other adverse effects of sand, wind, and water because of their proximity to dynamic ocean inlets,” according to the division, which carries out the rules and regulations for the commission.

During the meeting, the commission will consider ocean erodible area and inlet hazard area erosion rates and setback factors.

The division has since 1979 used the same long-term erosion data to determine construction setbacks in inlet and ocean hazard areas, and to establish the landward boundaries of ocean erodible areas of environmental concern.  

The commission’s setback rules are used to site oceanfront development based on the size of the structure according to the graduated setback provisions. In areas where there is a high rate of erosion, buildings must be located farther from the shoreline than in areas where there is less erosion. The size of the structure determines how far back a house must be located away from the shoreline.

Because of limited data and resources, erosion rate setback factors within inlet hazard areas have traditionally been based on the rates of adjacent ocean erodible areas.

“Given the rapid changes that can occur at inlets, this method has often resulted in setback factors that underestimate the true erosion dynamics of these areas,” division documents state.

During the commission’s August 2025 meeting, Dr. Laura Moore, the chairperson of the commission’s Science Panel on Coastal Hazards, presented the panel’s recommendations on updated boundaries for inlet hazard areas and ocean erodible areas, and their corresponding erosion rate setback factors.

A subcommittee was appointed at the time to evaluate the possible changes, and presented its recommendation during the February meeting.

Updating ocean hazard area boundaries for inlet hazard areas and ocean erodible areas, along with the associated erosion rate setback factors, requires rule amendments to reference the updated report and maps, documents continue.

Because inlet hazard area boundaries have remained static and adjacent ocean erodible area erosion rates were applied within the inlet hazard areas, the primary amendment has been to the rule “to simply reference the updated oceanfront erosion rate report.  However, this update includes revised IHA boundaries and inlet-specific erosion rates within IHAs, necessitating additional rule amendments to reference the applicable reports, maps, and use standards,” documents explain.

Division staff noted that the 2025 study is consistent with previous update studies, in that inlet hazard area boundaries at undeveloped inlets were not analyzed.

The commission at this month’s meeting is to consider approving rule amendments that reflect the subcommittee’s findings and recommendations and supported by the Coastal Resources Advisory Council, updated inlet hazard boundaries, and updated ocean erodible areas and inlet hazard areas erosion rate setbacks, to include ocean erodible areas landward boundaries.

Division staff are to recommend removing the inlet hazard area designations from Little River Inlet, New River and Brown’s Inlets at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Bogue Inlet at Hammocks Beach State Park, Barden Inlet, Ocracoke Inlet and Hatteras Inlet.

“It is important to note that while inlet hazards are present at these sites, these areas are not being developed,” staff said.

In addition, division staff are to present updates on septic systems within the ocean hazard areas of environmental concern, consider draft rule amendments for human-made ditches requested by a petition for rulemaking, and a permit for temporary weather monitoring structures on the beach in the ocean hazard area of environmental concern.

The full meeting agenda and briefing materials are on the commission’s website. 

And, we’re live!

With the expected hatch date just around the corner, the public now has 24-hour access to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission’s live cam, with audio, for Barn Owlet Watch 2026.

Watch all the action inside a nest box that’s housing six barn owl eggs for a chance to welcome hatchlings into the world sometime April 8-15.

“The Barn Owl Live Cam is our newest conservation adventure,” Wildlife Resources Commission Education Development and Evaluation Supervisor Sydney Brown stated in a release. “What began as a dream quickly grew, thanks to our incredible internal partners, into a 24/7 window into the secret life of barn owls for North Carolinians who may never see these birds in their own backyards.”

The nesting pair closely guarding their eggs are believed to have previously used the nest box the agency installed in western North Carolina in 2011.

After the pair returned to the nest last December, the female laid the first of her six eggs March 11.

Commission Conservation Biologist Joe Tomcho estimates the first egg will hatch April 12, based on a normal 32-day incubation period, according to the release.

“Usually once the first egg hatches, the others start hatching at about an every-other-day timeframe,” Tomcho said. “Barn owls typically lay around four to five eggs. Six eggs is an indication these are an experienced pair. It’s a really exciting experience to watch them hatch, but then to also watch them hop around in the nest as they prepare for life outside the nest.”

The nest box has been used by barn owls six times in the past 16 years, possibly by the same nesting pair, according to the WRC.

Man-made nesting boxes allow biologist to study nesting behavior, chick development and the species’ seasonal patterns.

In some regions of the state, the barn owl population has declined as a result of habitat loss and some agricultural practices. Barn owls are in the the commission’s Wildlife Action Plan, a comprehensive planning tool the agency developed to help conserve and enhance the state’s full array of fish and wildlife species and their habitats.

Solar-powered live cameras were installed at the nest box in August of last year “and, so far, have operated steadily since December with minimal interruptions,” the release states.

This is the commission’s first live camera experience, but officials hope to offer more in the future.

“We’re excited to keep expanding this project with fun educational content, conservation updates and plenty of owl magic,” Brown said in the release. “And we assure the public that owls are completely wild. We do not intervene or interfere with their natural behaviors or nesting process.”

Contact the commission’s wild observer program for more information about barn owls and nest boxes.

Additional information about barn owls is available on the agency’s website.

Join the debut of Earth & Arts OBX, a celebration of Earth Day and the official opening of Nags Head’s new soundside boardwalk on April 22.

The event, hosted by the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau, is scheduled to kick off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4 p.m. at the Soundside Event Site, 6800 S. Croatan Highway.

There will be live music by Brooke & Nick and HotSauce, a curated marketplace featuring environmentally conscious artists and makers, hands-on children’s activities, and opportunities to interact with local nonprofits that focus on conservation and sustainability.

“We’re excited to share this incredible new gathering spot with the community,” Outer Banks Visitors Bureau Executive Director Lee Nettles stated in a release. “This event is an opportunity to experience the new Soundside Boardwalk while connecting with the people and organizations dedicated to preserving the character and environment of this special place for generations to come. The views from the boardwalk are spectacular and give us all yet another way to experience the natural beauty of the Outer Banks.”

The event will wrap up at sunset.

North Carolina’s Flood Resiliency Blueprint Tool now includes enhanced flood mapping and risk information for five river basins in Eastern North Carolina.

The online tool designed to help local governments, agencies and nongovernmental partners develop, evaluate and prioritize resilience actions has been updated with new nonregulatory or “advisory” flood maps for the Cape Fear, Lumber, Neuse, Tar-Pamlico, and White Oak river basins.

The need for new maps and modeling efforts were identified in the draft blueprint, which was created by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality at the direction of the General Assembly.

The updates were made through extensive coordination with local leaders, other state agencies, nongovernmental organizations, university researchers and evaluating programs in other states like Texas and Louisiana for guidance, according to an NCDEQ release.

NCDEQ Secretary Reid Wilson, in the release, stated that research from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill found that more than 90,000 buildings in Eastern North Carolina flooded at least once from 1996 until 2020, and 43% of those buildings were outside the mapped Federal Emergency Management Agency floodplain. “The General Assembly’s investment in updated modeling and mapping means that North Carolinians in five river basins now have a more accurate picture of their actual flooding risk, Wilson said.”   

The improved mapping was done in partnership with the North Carolina Floodplain Mapping Program, one overseen by the North Carolina Emergency Management.

“NC Emergency Management is proud to provide flood mapping support to DEQ which will produce additional flood mapping products to build resilient communities across the state,” N.C. Emergency Management Director Will Ray stated. “As part of a multi-year advisory flood data web application development project, which began in 2022, the NCEM Floodplain Management Program was able to provide data and resources to assist in this project, once again showing the whole-of-community approach to disaster preparedness In North Carolina.” 

The mapping includes numerical models that simulate surface runoff and routing on a landscape, and are available for previously unmapped or undermapped basins too small to be included on regulatory maps and extend beyond what is normally included in traditional regulatory floodplain mapping.

The maps also include areas that flood despite being many miles from the nearest stream and allow communities to explore their future risk associated with projected growth patterns and the changing climate fueling more frequent and severe storms and sea level rise.

“These new maps, available through our Flood Resiliency Blueprint Tool, mean that Eastern North Carolinians can make more informed decisions and better investments to build their resilience in the face of more frequent and severe flooding,” Flood Resiliency Blueprint Manager Stuart Brown said in a release.

River Basin Action Strategies for the five river basins are expected to be available this summer, and new maps for the French Broad River Basin available this fall, according to DEQ.

Presales for commercial and for-hire fishing licenses and permits for the new license year will begin April 15.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries is encouraging fishers to schedule appointments to obtain licenses and permits in April and May, when presales traffic is typically lighter.

Walk-in only service will be available in June.

Under new rules this year, all license sales offices will stop taking customers at 4 p.m. during the last two weeks of June and the first week of July. Service may be slower at license offices during lunch between 12- p.m., according to a division release.

The new license years starts July 1.

Applicants are asked to bring any one of the following current/valid photo identifications:

• State Issued Driver’s License.
• State Issued Identification Card (issued by Department of Motor Vehicles).
• Military ID.
• Passport.
• Resident Alien Card (green card).
• Individuals applying for another license under the authority of Power of Attorney must submit a photocopy of the power of attorney and a current/valid photo ID.

Current/valid state vessel registration or U.S. Coast Guard vessel documentation is also required. Anyone applying for a transfer of ownership with pending U.S. Coast Guard vessel documentation may bring a notarized bill of sale.

Those applying as a business are required to provide the following documents to renew:

• A copy of the original business documents from the Secretary of State in which the business was created.
• A copy of the annual report from the Secretary of State in which the business was created.
• A copy of the written agreement partnership.
• A copy of the assumed name statement from the register of deeds in the county in which the business was created.

Currituck County’s America 250 NC Task Force has launched a yearlong challenge to visit 10 of North Carolina’s lighthouses as part of the country’s celebration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Called the NC Lighthouse Challenge, participants must visit the 10 sites and submit their photos with the lighthouse visible to nc.lighthouse.visit@gmail.com by the Dec. 31 deadline. Those who complete the challenge will be awarded a personalized certificate from Currituck County upon completion, and earn a free lighthouse climb.

Organizers noted that Hatteras, Lookout, Ocracoke, and Bodie are not offering the free lighthouse climb because of either long-term maintenance or National Park Service rules.

Register at https://www.eventcreate.com/e/nc-lighthouse-visit to receive the official set of rules.

“Long before modern navigation systems, lighthouse keepers and members of the U.S. Life-Saving Service stood watch along North Carolina’s treacherous coastline. Their dedication—often in isolation and through severe weather—helped guide ships safely and protect countless lives,” organizers said in a release.

“These early services were eventually unified under the U.S. Coast Guard in 1939, continuing a legacy of vigilance and service that remains today. The NC Lighthouse Challenge honors that legacy, inviting participants to walk in the footsteps of those who helped ‘light the way’ for a growing nation,” they continued.

The 10 historic sites include the following:

• Old Baldy on Bald Head Island, built 1817.
• Ocracoke Lighthouse, 1823.
• Cape Lookout Lighthouse, 1859.
• Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, 1870.
• Bodie Island Lighthouse, 1872, on Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
• Currituck Beach Lighthouse, 1875.
• Oak Island Lighthouse, 1958.
• Roanoke River Lighthouse, 1886, in Edenton.
• Roanoke River Lighthouse 1867 replica in Plymouth.
• Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse 1877 replica in Manteo.

Tony Cerri, a member of the county’s celebration task force, said that at its core, the challenge is about more than visiting beautiful places.

“It’s about recognizing the vital role North Carolina’s lighthouses — and the people who served in them — played in guiding commerce, protecting lives, and supporting the growth of our nation,” Cerri added in the release.

Currituck County’s America 250 NC Task Force is one of the county committees that plan and organize events, projects, and initiatives at the county level as part of America 250 NC. The state’s official commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary is a program of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Ferry Division is expanding the schedules of four ferry routes to accommodate the increase in spring traffic.

As of Tuesday, the Hatteras-Ocracoke route increased daily departures from 36 to 52, and the Swan Quarter-Ocracoke and Cedar Island-Ocracoke schedules both increased from four to six daily departures.

The Southport-Fort Fisher route moved to its spring schedule, increasing daily departures on weekdays only from 28 to 32, but the weekend schedule will remain unchanged.

The Cherry Branch-Minnesott Beach, Bayview-Aurora and Currituck-Knotts Island routes will all remain on their year-round schedules.

Spring ferry schedules as of Tuesday, March 31, were the following:

Hatteras-Ocracoke

• From Hatteras: 5 a.m., 6 a.m., 7 a.m., 8 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 8 p.m., 9 p.m., 11 p.m., and midnight.
• From Ocracoke: 4:30 a.m., 6:30 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., noon, 12:30 p.m., 1 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 9 p.m., 9:30 p.m., 10:30 p.m., and midnight.

Cedar Island-Ocracoke

• From Cedar Island: 7:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 4:30 p.m.
• From Ocracoke: 7:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 4:30 p.m.

Swan Quarter-Ocracoke

• From Swan Quarter: 10 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m.
• From Ocracoke: 7 a.m., 10 a.m., 1:30 p.m.

Southport-Fort Fisher weekdays

• From Southport: 5:30 a.m., 7 a.m., 7:45 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 9:15 a.m., 10 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 1 p.m., 1:45 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:15 p.m., 4 p.m., 4:45 p.m., 6:15 p.m.
• From Fort Fisher: 6:15 a.m., 7:45 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 9:15 a.m., 10 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 1 p.m., 1:45 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:15 p.m., 4 p.m., 4:45 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 7 p.m.

The full 2026 schedule is available for download. For real time text or email notifications on schedule adjustments and other ferry information, sign up for the Ferry Information Notification System at www.ncdot.gov/fins​.

Elizabeth City State University will present in April a special concert honoring two jazz greats.

The John Coltrane/Miles Davis Centennial Celebration is scheduled for 7 p.m. April 14 at the Floyd L. Robinson Auditorium inside the Mickey L. Burnim Fine Arts Center. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Scheduled to perform are the university’s Jazz Ensemble with guest artists Dr. Steven Cunningham, Cedric Easton, Dennis Figgs, Christian Howes, Stephanie Sanders, Shannah Boone and Jeremy Ward, and a special performance by the Arts of the Albemarle River City Strings.

“Join ECSU for a night when history, artistry, and community come together to celebrate the enduring legacy of jazz and the icons who defined it,” organizers said.

The program is part of Elizabeth City State’s Community Connections performance and lecture series, and is sponsored and supported through a combination of student fees and a private donation from Phyllis Bosomworth, a former member of the university’s Board of Trustees.  

While there is no charge to attend, those interested are encouraged to register in advance through www.ecsu.edu/community-connections. For additional information, contact ecsucommunityconnections@ecsu.edu.  

Millions will be awarded to broadband providers across rural North Carolina to connect homes, businesses, and community anchor institutions to high-speed internet access.

The governor’s office announced last week that $26 million will go to bring 5,161 rural homes, businesses and community anchor institutions in 66 counties access to high-speed internet infrastructure by the end of the year through the Stop-Gap Solutions program.

A part of the North Carolina Department of Information Technology’s Division of Broadband and Digital Opportunity, the program administers funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act to coverage gaps in internet access. This is done by targeting broadband line extensions to reach individuals and small pockets of homes and businesses in hard-to-reach areas.

“These broadband projects will ensure more families can soon access telehealth, students can complete their homework, businesses can compete in larger markets, and communities can thrive,” Gov. Josh Stein said in the release. “I am committed to improving broadband access across the state and making sure no community is left behind.”

On the coast, FOCUS Broadband, also known as Atlantic Telephone Membership Cooperative, has been selected to receive $1.65 million to connect 145 locations in Duplin and Pender counties.

Connect Holding II, LLC, doing business as Brightspeed, will be awarded $1.68 million to connect 2,439 locations in Beaufort, Camden, Carteret, Craven, Currituck, Hertford, Hyde, Onslow, Pamlico, Pasquotank, Tyrrell and Washington counties on the coast. Other counties to benefit from this award are Alamance, Bladen, Caldwell, Caswell, Chatham, Columbus, Cumberland, Edgecombe, Franklin, Greene, Halifax, Harnett, Hoke, Johnston, Jones, Martin, Montgomery, Moore, Nash, Northampton, Orange, Person, Pitt, Randolph, Rockingham, Sampson, Stokes, Surry, Vance, Wake, Warren, Wayne and Wilson counties.

HarvestBeam Inc., a broadband provider for rural North Carolina, will receive $413,260 for 95 locations in Craven and Pitt counties.

Roanoke Connect Holdings, operating as Fybe internet provider, will be awarded $2.4 million to connect 826 locations in Bertie, Chowan, Gates, Granville, Halifax, Hertford, Martin, and Northampton counties. 

Wilkes & RiverStreet Networks has been selected to receive $959,828 to connect 306 locations in Camden, Currituck, Stokes and Wilkes counties.

Other providers to be awarded serve customers in Alexander, Bladen, Buncombe, Durham, Henderson, Hoke, Iredell, Forsyth, Jackson, Macon, Orange, Robeson, Rowan, Sampson, Scotland, Swain, Transylvania and Yadkin counites.

“High-speed internet access is the foundation for health care delivery, public safety operations, workforce development, and economic growth in our state,” Teena Piccione, NCDIT secretary and state chief information officer, said. “This program allows us to move with urgency and precision to connect more North Carolinians.”

Businesses now can apply for federal funds to build and operate electric vehicle charging stations along state interstates and major highways.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation announced Friday that requests for proposals will close at midnight May 11 for the second round of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, which will provide money to help build and operate 16 EV charging stations along the state’s alternative fuel corridors.

Businesses interested in applying should visit NCDOT’s NEVI Program website to view the request for proposal documents, applications, a geographic information system- or GIS-based map with the proposed locations for the EV charging stations, and other resources.

This latest batch of EV chargers will add to the chargers being constructed along interstates and highways by six firms already under contract.

North Carolina received $109 million in NEVI funding to build out EV infrastructure along a network of approved interstates and highway corridors and in communities.

The federally subsidized program is meant to supplement the state’s existing DC fast charging ports. All of the charging stations funded through the program will be privately owned and operated.

NCDOT expects it will take another three years to build out the remaining charging infrastructure on the alternative fuel corridors such as Interstate 40, I-77 and U.S. 17.

Once these charging stations are built, the state will transition to Phase 2 of the EV buildout that will focus on Level 2 chargers that take between 4 and 8 hours to charge a vehicle, and DC fast chargers.

NEVI funds are to be used to reimburse businesses for project costs, including procurement, installation and operation of the EV charging stations.

The North Carolina Forest Service last Saturday issued a statewide ban on all open burning and canceled all burning permits until further notice as dry conditions persist across the state.

No new permits will be issued until the ban, which went into effect at 6 p.m. on March 28, is lifted.

Due to increased wildfire risk, the N.C. Forest Service has issued a ban on all open burning and has canceled all burning permits statewide effective 6 p.m. Saturday, March 28 until further notice.  

“With drought severity across the state, forecast fire weather and the potential for limited rainfall, it is critical to reduce the number of new fire starts,” N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler stated in a release. “Vegetative fuels will dry rapidly, and with the amount of fuel loading in the mountains and drought impacts statewide, a burn ban for all 100 counties is necessary to reduce the number of wildfires across our landscape. Please follow this burn ban to help reduce the risk for everyone.”

The ban does not apply to fires started within 100 feet of an occupied dwelling, but check with your local fire marshal to make sure a local burn ban has not been issued on fires within 100 feet.

Violators of the ban face a $100 fine plus $183 court costs. Anyone found to be responsible for setting a fire may be liable for costs associated with extinguishing that fire.

Forest Service officials will continue to monitor conditions. If you have specific questions, you may contact your N.C. Forest Service county ranger or county fire marshal’s office.  

Jockey’s Ridge State Park will be under new leadership, North Carolina State Parks announced last week.

Steve Rogers, most recently the superintendent of Merchants Millpond State Park in Gates County, has been selected to serve as the superintendent for the Dare County destination featuring the tallest living sand dune system on the Atlantic Coast. He succeeds longtime Jockey’s Ridge superintendent, Joy Cook, who retired in January.

Rogers said he is committed to preserving natural resources, enhancing visitor experiences, and fostering community partnerships at the park, according to the release.

Rogers began his parks career with the Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space Division as a seasonal employee in 1998 and was hired full time in maintenance the following year. He acted as herd manager for the nonprofit organization Corolla Wild Horse Fund from 2006 to 2009 before becoming a ranger for Pettigrew State Park in Creswell. There he was promoted to superintendent in 2015. He has served as superintendent of Merchants Millpond State Park since 2017.

“Steve’s leadership, experience and commitment to park stewardship have made a lasting impact at every park he has served,” State Parks Director Brian Strong said. “We are confident he will continue that legacy at Jockey’s Ridge, ensuring this iconic landscape is protected and enjoyed for generations to come.”

Park superintendents manage operations and administration at a park and have wide-ranging responsibilities that include staffing, training, law enforcement, planning, resource management, interpretation and education, and visitor services.

The North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation, a part of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, features 35 state parks, 25 state natural areas, four state recreation areas, seven state lakes, four Natural and Scenic Rivers, and 15 state trails, spanning over 264,000 acres of iconic landscapes and welcoming 18 million visitors annually, state officials said.

The Friends of the North Carolina Maritime Museum Beaufort is set to offer a two-week travel opportunity next year to see the birds, wildlife and natural history of Finland.

The nonprofit friends group is partnering with EcoQuest Travel for the trip, “The Birds & Mammals of Finland — Brown Bears, Wolverines and Boreal Birds,” May 16-29, 2027, with an optional six-day, post-trip extension to the Varanger Peninsula in the Norwegian Arctic.

“Finland is an extraordinary country, a throwback to an older wilder Europe,” the friends group said in a press release. “It is a land of great evergreen forests, rugged coastlines, shimmering lakes and stunning wildlife.”

The group said Finland is arguably the best country in Europe to observe brown bears and probably the best place in the world to see the enigmatic wolverine.

“We will concentrate our efforts on these two species, but we are traveling to Finland in the spring which will find us there at the best time to see owls, lekking grouse species and migrating shorebirds,” according to the release.

The tour will arrive in Finland’s capital of Helsinki and travel north to Savonlinna to search for the rare Saimaa ringed seal before heading farther north to the Koli, “our jumping off point for two very remote areas where we will use specially designed hides to look for Brown Bears and Wolverines,” according to the release. “Wolves occasionally show up at both hides and even the mysterious Eurasian Lynx sometimes makes a brief appearance. Being able to observe and photograph these iconic mammals of the north will be a rare and special privilege.”

From there, the group will travel west to Oulu and the Baltic Sea in search of owls, grouse, woodpeckers, songbirds, shorebirds and waterfowl.

Then for the final leg, it’s northeast to Kuusamo in the boreal forest to search for “specialty birds” such as the  willow ptarmigan, black grouse, capercaillie and boreal songbirds.

Those who do not depart for home head on to Arctic Norway to explore two new habitats with chances to see such iconic Arctic species as willow ptarmigan, bluethroat, Eurasian dotterel and long-tailed jaeger on the tundra; and king and Steller’s eiders, yellow-billed loon, Lapland longspur, snow bunting, gyrfalcon and huge colonies of alcids, or auks, on the Arctic Ocean.

For more information, contact JoAnne Powell at joannepowell1208@gmail.com.

Commercial and recreational fishermen, scientists, nongovernmental organization representatives and others with an expertise in southern flounder have an opportunity to guide the latest amendment to the state management plan for the fishery.

Applications are due by April 10 to volunteer to serve on the Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan Amendment 5 Advisory Committee.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries will work with the advisory committee to develop the amendment intended to address the Marine Fisheries Commission’s request to expand recreational access to the flounder fishery while continuing to rebuild the southern flounder stock, as well as issues in the commercial fishery.

Interested individuals must attend and actively participate in the three-day workshop scheduled for June 2 to June 4 at Carteret Community College in Morehead City. Participation includes reviewing documents to provide input to the Division for consideration to refine management options in draft Amendment 5.

An in-person, workshop-style meeting will be held for committee members and division staff to collaborate on a potential southern flounder management measures in a more effective and less formal setting than traditional meetings.

To be qualified to serve on the committee, applicants must not have had a significant fisheries violation within the past three years.

Advisers who complete the necessary paperwork will be reimbursed for travel and other expenses incurred in relation to their official duties.

To apply, complete the online form or download the printable application and mail it attention to Southern Flounder FMP, N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, N.C. 28557.

The Museum of the Albemarle is to welcome the author of a recently published book on the United States Coast Guard’s 235-year history on the North Carolina coast for its monthly “History for Lunch” program.

Starting at noon Wednesday, April 22, inside the Elizabeth City museum’s Gaither Auditorium, retired U.S. Coast Guard Capt. George E. Krietemeyer is scheduled to discuss his book, “Guardians of the Graveyard of the Atlantic.”

His talk is to begin with the arrival of the U.S. Revenue Cutter Diligence in 1792, which was built in Washington to Alexander Hamilton’s design and specifications, the vessel’s primary mission was to collect tariffs but soon became involved in chasing pirates and aiding vessels in distress. The Coast Guard now has more than 5,000 members working in North Carolina, saving lives and overseeing oil spills all over the world.

Registration is not needed to attend the lecture in person but those wishing to attend virtually must sign up in advance to receive the meeting link. Friends of the Museum of the Albemarle support the virtual program.

The Museum of the Albemarle is a part of the Division of State History Museums, Office of Archives and History, under the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

The Museum of the Albemarle is at 501 S. Water St., Elizabeth City, and is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

North Carolina Colonial Records Project has launched a new, online exhibit featuring the letters of the state’s first governor, who served 1776-1780, as part of the ongoing America 250 commemoration.

The exhibit, “Governor Richard Caswell and Revolutionary North Carolina,” contains 337 newly transcribed and searchable documents about Caswell’s career, the mobilization of patriot troops during the early days of the American Revolution, loyalists in North Carolina, and interactions with the Cherokee Nation.

The North Carolina Colonial Records Project is part of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, which manages more than 100 historic, cultural and natural sites across the state, and oversees America 250 NC, the state’s official commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence taking place this year.

MosaicNC is hosting the exhibit. The North Carolina Office of Archives and History, under the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, oversees the online digital resources that features interactive exhibits and transcribed primary sources from a wide array of topics in the state’s history.

The North Carolina Division of Water Resources is accepting proposals for stream restoration, water-based restoration and water management projects now through June 30.

Project proposals are being accepted through the current spring 2026 application cycle of the Water Resources Development Grant Program, which provides two different types of grants.

There’s the state and local program, which offers cost-sharing grants of up to 50% of nonfederal project costs for stream restoration, water-based restoration and water management projects.

Grants are also offered for stream restoration projects on agricultural lands that are cost-shared with the Natural Resources Conservation Service Environmental Quality Incentives Program, or EQIP. Applications for that program will be accepted through July 30.

The division typically receives $3 million for state and local projects, and $2 million for EQIP projects each year, according to a release.

Links to previously funded projects and additional resources are available online.

Contact Amin Davis, grant manager, at amin.davis@deq.nc.gov for more information. 

Outdoor warning sirens around the Brunswick Nuclear Plant will be tested next week to ensure they are functioning properly.

The test will be conducted by Duke Energy and officials in Brunswick and New Hanover counties between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. on April 1.

Sirens will sound for five to 30 seconds and some may be tested more than once.

Follow-up testing may occur after 11 a.m.

A network of 38 Duke Energy-owned and maintained sirens are dispersed within 10 miles of the nuclear plant 2 miles north of Southport.

Officials in Brunswick and New Hanover counties are responsible for sounding the sirens.

Local broadcasting stations, including television and radio, do not interrupt regular programming to broadcast Emergency Alert System messages. That occurs only during a real emergency.

For more information about outdoor warning sirens and nuclear emergency preparedness visit duke-energy.com/NuclearEP.

The North Carolina Symphony is performing for free in Jacksonville this summer in honor of the nation’s 250th birthday.

Conducted by Sophie Mok, Classical Favorites Celebrating America 250 will showcase the music of composers including Copland’s “Buckaroo Holiday,” John Williams’ “Liberty Fanfare” and “Armed Forces Salute,” and Sousa’s “The Stars and Stripes Forever.”

The concert is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. June 16 at Northside High School, 365 Commons Dr. S in Jacksonville.

Tickets are required and may be reserved now.

The inaugural Wilmington Community Science Fest this Saturday aims to bring together the wide array of community science activities offered in the region for people to explore.

Festivalgoers can pop into lectures explaining the concept and importance of citizen science and hear about some of the more popular area projects, such as iNaturalist and eBird, and make the rounds between exhibitors who will explain how to connect with local community science efforts.

The first presentation, from 10:15 until 11:15 a.m., will cover the importance of community science, featuring Katie Kingston, Science Across North Carolina, and Sammy Calderon, who will provide an introduction to using iNaturalist.

The next presentation, held from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., will include Kristen Holloman-Noe, who will present on FrogWatch USA, and Mason Randolph, who will provide an introduction to using eBird.

The final presentation, Journey Through Participatory Sciences, will be held from 12:45 until 1:45 p.m. and feature presenter Dr. Caren Cooper, who will share her firsthand experience in participatory sciences as a researcher and an instructor.

“Knowing that researching opportunities requires time and patience, we hatched the idea of creating one event where interested parties could browse projects and instantly move from wanting to participate straight into registering to participate,” Holloman-Noe, Fort Fisher Aquarium outreach coordinator and FrogWatch USA regional coordinator, stated in a release. “The support and enthusiasm we’ve witnessed in planning this event has truly warmed my heart.”

The festival is scheduled for 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Davis Center in Wilmington Maides Park, 1101 Manly Ave.

The event will include a number other headliners, such as Science Across NC, EcoExplore and Project Explore, Terrapin Talley of the N.C. Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve and N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, N.C. Audubon shorebird surveys, Cape Fear Audubon and the University of North Carolina Wilmington Marine Mammal Stranding Program.

Volunteers will be there to help direct participants to the projects that interest them most.

Wilmington Community Science Fest is being hosted by the Fort Fisher Aquarium, Valerie Robertson, publisher of Cape Fear’s Going Green, and Savannah Lytle, North Carolina Environmental Education Certification candidate.

The city of Wilmington is hosting an open house on Wednesday to highlight proposed plans to replace a decades-old metal bulkhead along the downtown riverwalk on the Cape Fear River.

The open house is scheduled for 5:30-7 p.m. in the azalea room of the Skyline Center at 929 N. Front St.

City staff will be on hand to talk about the plan to replace a 59-year-old metal bulkhead near the former Coast Guard Cutter Diligence mooring with a modern “relieving platform.”

The replacement “will provide the same shoreline stabilization in a more environmentally friendly way,” according to a city release.

The city has proactively repaired or replaced large sections of the riverwalk, a project initiated in 1980 and fully completed in November 2017.

The metal bulkhead the city plans to replace has outlived its expected lifespan after sustaining decades of exposure to water, debris, and wave action, according to the city.

The city is applying for a federal Economic Development Administration grant to help fund the project and hopes to draw community support from residents, businesses, and organizations to sign a letter backing that application.

Parking at the Skyline Center is available at 33 Brunswick St.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s State Energy Office has released a plan that identifies ways to cut the state’s greenhouse gas emissions.

The North Carolina Comprehensive Climate Action Plan, or CCAP, includes resilience and carbon reduction measures to meet the goal of Executive Order 246, which was signed by former Gov. Roy Cooper in early 2022 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% below 2005 levels by 2030.

“The Comprehensive Climate Action Plan lays out a path for how North Carolina can successfully achieve its greenhouse gas reduction goals,” DEQ Secretary Reid Wilson stated in a release. “Investing in clean energy and energy efficiency will ensure that electricity supplies are reliable and affordable for families and businesses while driving down greenhouse gas pollution.”  

The plan targets six key areas, including electricity generation, industry, transportation, buildings, waste management and natural and working lands.

The state’s 2024 Greenhouse Gas Inventory forms the analytical foundation for the six key sectors by establishing a statewide baseline for past emissions and future emissions projections, allowing the state to evaluate the potential impact of future greenhouse gas reduction measures. 

Specific strategies such as increasing options for renewable electricity, improving energy efficiency in buildings, and expanding electric vehicle use and land-based carbon sequestration, will help the state reach this carbon reduction goal, according to state officials.

While a majority of the measures the plan identifies are already funded or anticipate funding, in order for the plan to be successfully long-term, continued and increased investments will need to be made to strengthen resilience and reduce climate pollution, support economic development and workforce readiness, and deliver cleaner air and healthier communities.

“Implementing projects to achieve the measures in this plan will result in significant energy savings in all sectors of the economy: electricity, industry, buildings, waste and more, which will help North Carolina keep energy costs down, reduce strain on the grid and help us meet our quickly growing energy demands,” State Energy Office Director Julie Woosley said in a release.

DEQ first published a Priority Climate Action Plan in 2024 after the agency received $3 million in Climate Pollution Reduction Grant planning funds. This plan identified the state’s highest priority greenhouse gas reduction measures.

The CCAP builds on that plan by updating and expanding greenhouse gas emission strategies through new data, modeling and stakeholder input, and identifying strategies that can be implemented and are feasible and measurable, according to a DEQ release.

Fishing for striped bass by hook and line will be allowed in sections of the Tar-Pamlico and Neuse rivers April 1-30.

The season for harvesting striped bass by this fishing method is being allowed under a temporary rule amendment and proclamation the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission approved this month.

Areas open to harvest include inland and joint fishing waters of the Tar-Pamlico River and its tributaries upstream of a line between Gum Point near Mixon Creek and Fork Point near Durham Creek in Beaufort County.

Inland and joint fishing waters of the Neuse River and its tributaries upstream of a line between Cooper Point near Good Creek in Pamlico County and Fisher Landing Point in Craven County will also open to harvest striped bass.

Inland water tributaries to both rivers downstream of the boundaries established by the Wildlife Resources Commission are closed year-round for striped bass and striped bass hybrid fishing.

Striped bass and striped bass hybrids creel limits are one fish in aggregate with a minimum size limit of 18 inches. However, no fish between 22 and 27 inches long may be harvested.

Anglers who keep any striped bass caught in the Tar-Pamlico and Neuse rivers must report their harvest electronically through an online webform or iPhone app provided by the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries.

The regulatory change is part of the cooperative striped bass management between the Wildlife Resources Commission and the division, both of which recently determined that most striped bass using these areas of the rivers are hatchery fish.

“These rivers have been stocked for over 30 years and despite this effort, recovery goals have not been met,” Assistant Chief of the Division of Inland Fisheries Ben Ricks stated in a release. “There appears to be a bottleneck in an early life stage of naturally reproduced striped bass that limits survival. While we investigate this issue, striped bass stockings in the Tar and Neuse rivers will provide angling opportunities similar to reservoir striped bass stockings.”

Proclamations to open a similar harvest season and provide regulatory consistency in Coastal and Joint Fishing waters of the same area have also been approved by the Division of Marine Fisheries.

Have ideas on ways the federal government might better streamline the nationwide permit program?

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers wants to hear from you.

The Corps recently announced it is accepting input on ways to make nationwide permits, which authorize activities that are similar in nature and cause no more than minimal adverse environmental impacts to aquatic resources, more efficient.

Those activities include work associated with aids to navigation, residential developments, utility lines, and maintenance activities.

Comments will be “considered in future rulemaking related to the nationwide permits,” according to a Corps release.

This year’s nationwide permits went into effect on March 15. The 2026 permits may be modified before they expire March 15, 2031.

Comments sought on the nationwide permits may include, but are limited to ways to eliminate unnecessary review over activities that require a Corps permit, ways to boost efficiency in the reviews of requests for permit verifications, activities categories that the Corps should consider for establishing new nationwide permits, and measures to improve conditions or processes that would ensure authorized activities would not cause more than minimal adverse environmental effects.

Written comments will be accepted through May 15 through the Federal eRulemaking portal at docket number COE-2026-0001. Comments may also be submitted by mail to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Attn: CECW-CO-R, 441 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20314-1000.

A state historical marker commemorating the life and accomplishments of Zachariah Jacobs, a free-born African American patriot soldier who served in multiple regiments during the Revolutionary War, will be dedicated next week in downtown Wilmington.

The North Carolina Highway Historical Marker will be dedicated at 10 a.m. on Thursday at the corner of Third and Grace streets in Wilmington.

Jacobs was in his 20s when he was drafted into the Bladen County Regiment of the North Carolina Militia as a private in late 1778.

In only a matter of a few months, Jacobs marched with his regiment through South Carolina into Georgia, where he fought in the Battle of Briar Creek in March 1779.

That battled ended in defeat for the American forces, “and amid the confusion of retreat, Jacobs returned to his home in Brunswick County,” according to the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Roughly two years later, in early 1781, he rejoined the militia, serving a nine-month term during which in March of that year he fought in one of the most significant battles in the Southern campaign, the Battle of Guildford Court House.

It was during this battle that Jacobs sustained a wound to one of his legs. After spending time recovering in a hospital, he started his journey home, only to be captured by Loyalist soldiers and taken to British Maj. James Henry Craig in Bladen County.

Craig later paroled Jacobs, who returned briefly returned to civilian life before enlisting for another nine-month term in October 1781 in a North Carolina Regiment of the Continental Line.

In March 1782, under Maj. Michael Rudolph in operations near Charleston, South Carolina, the unit in which Jacob served captured the British galley Alligator on the Ashley River, a move notable for its disruption to British supply lines.

Jacobs spent a majority of that tour stationed at Ashley Hill, after which time he marched to Wilmington and was discharged in December 1782.

He lived out his remaining years in Brunswick and New Hanover counties.

After successfully applying for a federal pension in April 1835, Jacobs received $28.33 semiannually for 17 months of service as a private.

He died April 10, 1847 in New Hanover County. He was 93.

His widow, Sally Jacobs, would later secure a pension in recognition of her late husband’s contributions.

“Jacobs’ story underscores the vital role played by free people of color in the Revolutionary War. His perseverance through multiple enlistments, wounds, captivity, and eventual recognition reflects the broader struggle for liberty that defined the era,” according to NCDNCR.

The Highway Historical Marker Program is a collaboration between the North Carolina departments of Natural and Cultural Resources and Transportation.

More information about the historical marker is available at https://www.dncr.nc.gov/blog/2026/02/06/zachariah-jacobs-d-125 or by calling (919) 814-6625.

The University of North Carolina Wilmington’s Blue Economy Index (Bloomberg Ticker: BLUEECO) saw gains during February, outperforming broader, global benchmarks that suffered weaker performance.

The Blue Economy Index rose 8.66% from 2,882.49 to 3,132.02. At the same time, the S&P Industrials rose 5.64%, the MSCI All World Index increased 1.24%, and the S&P 500 fell 1.40%.

The index trackers said in a news release Thursday that the comparatively strong performance “showcases” the blue economy’s “concentrated exposure to ocean-related industries and balanced sector allocation.”

“This month’s returns were defined by strong expectations in infrastructure demand and international economic activity, as well as a sharp decline in large technology and growth stocks.”

The UNC Wilmington Blue Economy Index tracks the economic activity of companies operating on or in oceans and waterways, with a focus on environmental sustainability. The index was developed through a collaboration between UNC Wilmington’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the Alliance for the Blue Economy, or AllBlue, the Cameron School of Business, and it relies on data from FactSet.

The index aligns with the World Bank’s definition of the Blue Economy: “the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of the ocean ecosystem.”

“The index represents a fusion of academic insight, environmental science, and financial market expertise,” according to the university.

February’s performance was supported by strong gains in industrial and utilities sectors, which benefited from rising expectations for global infrastructure spending and energy demand. Sector rotation also played a key factor as investors transitioned from technology to industrial sectors.

Industrials climbed 16.61% after investors rotated into companies tied to infrastructure, heavy manufacturing and energy systems. A large wave of AI storage and network demand helped prop up the sector’s performance, which signaled higher future revenue and earnings, according to the release.

Consumer staples, supported by increased expected demand and improved profitability in the global seafood and animal feed markets, increased 8.06%. The sector also gained from higher aquaculture prices in Asian and North American markets, which improved margins for fishing and processing companies.

Utilities rose 5.60%, driven by expanding economies and the rapid build-out of data centers, AI computing, and renewable energy systems. Furthermore, many utility companies are expanding renewable energy projects which investors view as long-term growth opportunities, the analysts said.

Consumer discretionary spending gained 3.12%, supported by steady continued growth in travel and tourism spending.

Doosan Corp. saw a 50.65% gain and topped the index for February thanks to new legislation that provided a regulatory framework for modular reactor development and export.

Harbin Electric Corp. saw a 41.88% gain thanks to an increase in Chinese gas turbine demand and the company’s financials, which forecast a 57% increase year-over-year net profit and 33% revenue growth.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. Realized a 40.31% gain based on increased submarine and defense systems production after Japan planned to increase defense spending to 2% of its GDP.

More information about the Alliance for the Blue Economy is online at https://uncw.edu/research/centers/innovation-entrepreneurship/events-programs/programs/all-blue.

The 2026-27 recreational fishing season for black sea bass in federal waters south of Cape Hatteras opens next month, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries announced Thursday.

The season will open at 12:01 a.m. on April 1 and tentatively remain open through March 31, 2027.

The season is being opened for the entire 2026-27 recreational fishing year because recreational landings are estimated to be below the seasonal catch limit, according to a NOAA Fisheries announcement.

“NOAA Fisheries projects that recreational landings will not exceed the 2026-2027 recreational catch limit of 366,510 pounds whole weight based on recent landings data,” according to the announcement.

The closing date for recreational black sea bass fishing remains tentative pending the implementation of Regulatory Amendment 37 to the fishery management plan for the South Atlantic Region’s snapper-grouper fishery.

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council has approved that amendment for review and implementation by NOAA Fisheries.

“If implemented, the regulatory amendment would establish an annual catch target for the recreational sector of 63,143 pounds whole weight,” according to the announcement. “NOAA Fisheries would project the length of recreational fishing seasons based on this annual catch target. It is currently unknown whether the timing for Regulatory Amendment 37 could affect the 2026-2027 fishing year for black sea bass.”

If the regulatory amendment is adopted, the National Marine Fisheries Service will inform the public about its impacts to the length of the recreational season for black sea bass.

Fort Fisher historian Becky Sawyer will share the gritty history of tattoos that adorned sailors who fought in the 1865 battle that ended with the capture of the last open port in North Carolina and the Confederacy.

Sawyer will dive into the results of five years of research on tattoos worn by the sailors who participated in the Battle of Fort Fisher during a presentation entitled “Red, Blue & Black Tattoos Among Sailors at Fort Fisher.” The event is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. Monday at the New Hanover County Public Library’s main library at 230 Grace St. in Wilmington.

Through images and stories, Sawyer will “explore this fascinating and sometimes gritty aspect of maritime history. Not for the faint of heart,” according to the library.

In mid-January 1865, joint Army and Navy forces commanded by Union Rear Adm. David D. Porter and Maj. Gen. Alfred Terry attacked and captured the fort situated at the mouth of the Cape Fear River at the Atlantic Ocean.

The North Carolina Coastal Land Trust plans to buy a sprawling tract of land off one of Wilmington’s busy corridors to convert it into a publicly accessible nature preserve.

The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners on Monday authorized county staff to negotiate a purchase and sale agreement with the Coastal Land Trust for an approximately 60-acre tract at 3990 Independence Boulevard.

The organization plans to buy the land, referred to as the Flossie Bryan tract, for $3 million.

Bryan was a longtime Wilmington resident and licensed practical nurse who worked at James Walker Memorial Hospital, which operated for more than 60 years until it closed after New Hanover Regional Medical Center opened its doors in 1967.

Bryan willed the property to the county and asked that it be preserved, offering a natural, undeveloped space for public benefit, according to a Coastal Land Trust release.

“Flossie Bryan left an extraordinary gift to this community, and we take that trust seriously,” Coastal Land Trust Executive Director Harrison Marks stated in the release. “This property sits in the middle of one of the fastest-growing residential corridors in New Hanover County. Protecting it permanently as a nature preserve means generations of Wilmington residents will have access to irreplaceable green space, right where they live. We are grateful to the Board of Commissioners for their partnership on this property, and for their vision and foresight in securing full ownership of the property in 2025, which created the opportunity to ensure its long-term conservation.”

The Coastal Land Trust aims to work with county staff to finalize a purchase and sale agreement, with closing proposed to occur on or before Dec. 31, 2027.

Commissioners will review the sale agreement before final approval.

Within the tract are more than seven acres of mature longleaf pine forest, among the few remaining unprotected longleaf pine savanna habitats in New Hanover County. And, there are more than 20 acres slated for longleaf pine restoration.

Natural freshwater wetlands and headwater tributaries of Barnards Creek are also on the property.

Once under the Coastal Land Trust’s ownership, the preserve will be developed in phases to include a parking area and natural train system, which will be largely unpaved, designed for nature-first recreation and outdoor learning, and will incorporate Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible areas.

Coastal Land Trust’s longer-term plans for the property include an onsite environmental education facility.

“The Flossie Bryan tract offers a rare opportunity to protect and restore one of the most ecologically important habitat types in our region, in the county with the highest population density along the North Carolina coastal plain,” Kenneth Lingerfelt, Coastal Land Trust director of land protection said in a release. “Conserving this property means protecting water quality in the Barnards Creek watershed and ensuring that this irreplaceable longleaf pine habitat is never lost.”

The Coastal Land Trust plans to launch a public and private fundraising campaign to raise the $3 million needed to buy the tract.

The Coastal Land Trust has created and manages a number of nature preserves across eastern North Carolina, including Brunswick Nature Park, the Latham-Whitehurst Nature Park in Craven County, Brice’s Creek Nature Preserve in New Bern, and Springer’s Point Preserve on Ocracoke Island. The organization also manages the Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Plant Garden in Wilmington in partnership with the city.

In an effort to restore and maintain wildlife habitat, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission conducts prescribed burns across tens of thousands of acres of state game lands each year.

To find out whether smoke you’re seeing on state game lands is from a prescribed burn, check out the commission’s prescribed burns dashboard mapping system.

To help support wildlife on most of the 2 million acres of state game lands used by hunters, anglers and wildlife watchers throughout the state, the agency sets about 200 to 300 prescribed burns across 20,000 to 30,000 acres ever year.

“Most of the prescribed burning on game lands occurs between January and March because the cool, humid air with minimal wind provides conditions for low intensity fires,” Commission Forestry Program Leader Casey Phillips stated in a release. “However, we will still conduct burns well into spring and summer, because growing season fires provides for better control of young hardwoods in certain habitats.”

Prescribed fires are more cost efficient than mowing and spraying because they reduce the use of hazardous fuels, such as leaf litter and pine straw, and improve biodiversity at a significantly larger scale than chemical or mechanical methods alone, according to the agency.

Maintenance burns are typically conducted in multi-year cycles to open groundcover for quail, grassland birds, deer and turkeys. Prescribed fires are also crucial for many of the state’s habitat-sensitive or rare species, including red-cockaded woodpeckers and Venus flytraps, which are adapted to fire or found only in fire-dependent habitat.

“Fire is a natural occurrence that native wildlife has adapted to,” Phillips stated. “We also use burning techniques intended to give animals time and room to escape. After an area is burned, we typically see new vegetation within a few weeks, which means the animals won’t be far behind.”

For additional information, view No Cause for Alarm and visit Prescribed Fire: What NC Citizens Need to Know.

The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries has scheduled a public hearing on a proposed shellfish bottom and water column lease in a Pamlico County waterway.

Evan R. Gadow has applied for a 0.72-acre lease in Little Bear Creek.

A public hearing on the proposed lease is set for 6 p.m. on March 24 at the Pamlico County Courthouse, 202 Main St. in Bayboro. The hearing will also be held via Webex.

Anyone who wishes to speak online should preregister at deq.nc.gov/pamlico-county-shellfish-lease-hearing-speaker-registration. Those who attend the in-person hearing must register to speak at the meeting location between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. on the night of the hearing.

Written comments on the proposed shellfish lease are also being accepted up to 24 hours after the hearing through an online form or by mail to N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, Shellfish Lease and Aquaculture Program, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, N.C. 28557.

Additional information, including a call-in telephone number, may be found at deq.nc.gov/2026-03-24-pamlico-county-shellfish-lease-hearing or by contacting the Shellfish Lease and Aquaculture Program at 252-515-5600 or SLAP@deq.nc.gov.

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is seeking volunteers for its annual spring count of diamondback terrapins.

The 2026 Terrapin Tally occurs in areas of the state’s southern coast, where the small, aquatic turtles call marshes, estuaries and tidal creeks home.

Diamondback terrapins are listed as a species of special concern in North Carolina and federally as a species of greatest conservation need.

“Diamondback terrapins are a keystone species, critical to the health of the saltmarsh ecosystem,” Sarah Finn, a Wildlife Resources Commission biologist said in a release. “Studying their populations is difficult due to their habitat characteristics and North Carolina’s expansive estuarine systems. Understanding the population status and trends of terrapins in North Carolina is important to the long-term management of this species, and we can work toward this goal with the help of volunteer community scientists.”

Volunteers must supply their own kayaks, mobile phones and take part in a mandatory training session. There will be two training sessions, the first of which is scheduled for 10 a.m. – noon on April 11 at Carolina Beach State Park visitor center. Another training session has been set for 10 a.m. – noon on April 18 at Hammocks Beach State Park visitor center.

Registration is required.

“It’s a wonderful way to get out to explore and learn about our local waterways, while also contributing to a long-term citizen science project,” Amy Long, who will be volunteering in the tally for an 11th year, said in the release. “Really, who doesn’t want to spot adorable terrapins?!? It’s like an easter egg hunt, and when you have friends doing other days or trails, it’s fun to see who had better luck out on the water.”

The Terrapin tally is headed by the Wildlife Resources Commission and supported by partner organizations including the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management, N.C. State Parks, Bald Head Island Conservancy, N.C. Audubon, N.C. Aquarium and National Park Service.

Data collected in the tallies has contributed to fisheries management to protect terrapins from drowning in blue-crab pots, according to the Wildlife Resources Commission.

Additional information is available at 2026 Terrapin Tally.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality State Energy Office has set a public hearing next month on a state program that provides free weatherization services for income-eligible households.

Comments will be accepted on the proposed adoption of the New North Carolina Project, a nonprofit founded to increase civic engagement among underserved communities and to act as the service provider to a regional territory that includes Brunswick, Carteret, Craven, Duplin, Greene, Jones, Lenoir, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, Pender and Wayne counties. 

The N.C. Weatherization Assistance Program, funded under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, aims to reduce energy bills and increase home comfort and safety by providing free weatherization services for eligible households.

The state program in 2021 was appropriated $89 million for enhancing energy efficiency in income-eligible households throughout the state. In March 2023, DEQ held a hearing on the proposed plan, which was approved by the U.S. Department of Energy in August of that same year.

DEQ has conditionally approved the New North Carolina Project to be the region’s service. The organization will be awarded about $5 million to be the regional service providers until 2029 or funds are depleted.

The hearing is scheduled for 4 p.m. April 8 at the DEQ Green Square Office Building, training room No. 1210, 217 West Jones St. in Raleigh.

To join the hearing by Webex link to https://ncgov.webex.com/ncgov/j.php?MTID=m21fb07102030a6f681df2f99a5537f0c and use meeting number/access code 2438 254 6635. You may also join by phone at  +1-415-655-0003 with meeting password ncwap (62927 when dialing from a phone).

The hearing officer may limit speaking times to accommodate all speakers.

The agency is also accepting public comments by mail to DEQ Weatherization Assistance Program, 1613 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1613, or by email to seo.publiccomments@deq.nc.gov, with “2026 NNCP Comment” in the subject line.  

All comments must be postmarked, emailed or hand-delivered no later than April 10.

Additional hearing documentation is available at www.deq.nc.gov/wap-hearings. 

Dare County is finalizing plans to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary taking place next month.

Scheduled for Saturday, April 18, in downtown Manteo and at Roanoke Island Festival Park, Dare A250 Faire is Dare County’s signature event commemorating the nation’s 250th anniversary.

The celebration will feature a variety of vendors, along with live music, historical reenactments and storytelling, art displays, educational programming, community exhibits, family-friendly activities and patriotic festivities that highlight Dare County as the “Land of Beginnings.”

Activities will take place throughout downtown Manteo from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., before transitioning to Roanoke Island Festival Park for the Star Spangled Spectacular, an evening celebration featuring headlining musical acts and a special performance highlighting Dare County’s rich history.

The Dare A250 Faire was originally scheduled at the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills but was relocated to Manteo and Roanoke Island Festival Park to allow “all aspects of the planning committee’s vision to be included in the celebration,” organizers said. “The Roanoke Island setting highlights the area’s rich history as the ‘Birthplace of America,’ with the historic Elizabeth II serving as a meaningful backdrop to the festivities.”

The Dare A250 Celebration is designed as a full-day experience and is offered free of charge. While the daytime festivities in downtown Manteo are open to all, free tickets will be required for the evening performance at Roanoke Island Festival Park due to venue capacity. Tickets can be reserved online.

Musical acts are to be announced in the coming weeks.

Oak Island is hosting an Arbor Day Celebration Friday to commemorate the town’s recognition as a 2026 Tree City USA, an annual, national program of the Arbor Day Foundation.

The celebration will feature a tree planting ceremony of two live oak trees and attendees may take home a free one-gallon live oak seedling, courtesy of Penderlea Farms of Burgaw.

The Brunswick County town has over the past several years taken steps to preserve, manage and expand its tree canopy, including its creation of a tree canopy assessment, identifying heritage trees within town limits, and planting live oaks throughout the town.

More than 250 new live oaks have been planted within the last two years through the town’s popular adopt-a-tree program for residents.

Tree City USA provides a foundation for community forestry management based on set of core standards established by the Arbor Day Foundation.

In North Carolina, Arbor Day is celebrated on the Friday following March 15.

The celebration is scheduled for 3-5 p.m. in Bill Smith Park, 4410 Fish Factory Road.

Construction and other projects expected to affect waters or wetlands will now be vetted through a newly implemented state process.

Depending on a its impacts to streams and wetlands, some projects will get to bypass a 30-day notice as part of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources Clean Water Act 401 general certifications updates that took effect March 15.

The new certificate of coverage process is anticipated to apply to “many project” currently requiring individual Clean Water Act Section 401 water quality certifications, according to a DEQ release.

Applicants must still apply to the division through the new process, but those that meet thresholds and conditions under the general certification will receive a letter of concurrence, which will allow the project to proceed without a 30-day notice.

Project located in sensitive areas, those with a significant quantity of impacts to waters or wetlands, or those that cannot meet the general certification conditions must still go through the process of a 30-day public notice and project-specific decision letter to obtain individual 401 water quality certification.

The state’s update reflects corresponding U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 404 Nationwide Permits, which have been modified following a 2023 Supreme Court ruling that changed the definition of “waters of the United States,” or WOTUS.

That same year, the North Carolina General Assembly passed session law directing the state Environmental Management Commission to adopt a rule that aligns the state’s definition of wetlands to those of the federal definition.

The latest definition excludes noncontiguous wetlands, or those that are not connected to navigable waters.

The Corps has extended a one-year grace period to projects it has approved for permitting to complete impacts to waters outlined under their existing federal permit. New certifications will not be required for those projects.

DEQ advises permittees to check with their Corps representative to confirm whether the grace period is applicable to their projects.

The division has included a list of frequently asked questions online for general information.

Whether its a nature hike, a stormwater tour at North Carolina’s premiere coastal university, or helping a town’s staff permanently mark storm drains, there’s something for nearly everyone during Cape Fear Creek Week.

Creek Week kicks off on Sunday and goes through March 21, offering opportunities to connect with, celebrate, and care for local waterways of the Cape Fear Region.

Throughout the week, participants are invited to play Cape Fear Creek Week virtual bingo by completing activities for a chance to win a swag bag.

The events lineup starts Sunday with a birding walk from 10-11 a.m. in Leland, where participants will be given tips on how to identify local and migrating birds. Registration for this event is through the town of Leland.

On Monday, gather beneath cypress trees in Wallace Park at 2110 Market St. in Wilmington for a scavenger hunt from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. The Alliance for Cape Fear Trees will have resources on hand to share tips on how to properly plant and care for trees.

The University of North Carolina Wilmington is hosting that afternoon a behind-the-scenes tour of its stormwater-control measures, including rain gardens, permeable pavement systems and other sustainable features that reduce runoff and support healthier waterways. This event will be held 2-3 p.m. Monday at 4935 Riegel Road. Registration is required.

On Monday evening, discover ways to diagnose and restore wetland habitats through Habitat Fixer Uppers with Fort Fisher Aquarium, a program scheduled for 6-7:30 p.m. at 1212 Magnolia Village Way in Leland. You may register here.

Tuesday, Cape Fear Public Utility Authority will host a tour of its Southside Water Reclamation Facility, 3436 River Road in Wilmington. Registered participants must be age 5 or older.

Events for Wednesday include a bird hike at Burnt Mill Creek 8-9:30 a.m., an opportunity to work alongside employees of Leland’s engineering department 4-5:30 p.m. to permanently mark the town’s storm drains, a children’s scavenger hunt 5-6 p.m. at Cypress Cover Park in Leland, and resilient coastal communities program public meeting drop in between 5p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Skyline Center in downtown Wilmington.

Events later in the week include a golden hour guided tour by paddleboat in Greenfield Lake Park, a walking tour at Pages Creek, a sustainability brewery tour at Mad Mole Brewing (for those 21 and older), a Brunswick Nature Park tour in Winnabow, and a cleanup at Greenfield Lake Park.

Details, including all dates, times and locations, are available on the N.C. Cooperative Extension website.

Cape Fear Creek Week is a collaboration between the N.C. Cooperative Extension, Wilmington’s Heal our Waterways, Leland, Cape Fear River Watch, New Hanover County Soil and Water Conservation District, Cape Fear Public Utility Authority, Coastal Land Trust, Cape Fear Birding Observatory, Plastic Ocean Project, Mad Mole Brewery, UNCW Sustainability, and Alliance for Cape Fear Trees.

A hand-stitched replica of George Washington’s sleeping and office tent, which served as the command center for the Continental Army, will be on display March 26-28 at Tryon Palace historic site in New Bern.

The First Oval Office Project travels the country providing interactive education and outreach programming that brings George Washington’s wartime headquarters to life. The full-scale replica of Washington’s Revolutionary War tent, often referred to as the “First Oval Office,” is the centerpiece of the project.

“Tryon Palace will be the only site in North Carolina to host the First Oval Office Project during 2026,” North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Pamela B. Cashwell said in a release. “This immersive living history program can provide us a deeper understanding of the Revolutionary War by telling the story of General Washington and all those who served alongside him.”

The Museum of the American Revolution’s First Oval Office Project and its adjoining educational programming is a signature event for DNCRs’ America 250 NC initiative that commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and celebrates the state’s important role in the American Revolution.

A team of interpreters from Philadelphia’s Museum of the American Revolution, where the original sleeping and office tent is on permanent display, will be on site to guide visitors and answer questions about Washington’s military life while on campaign.

Tickets to tour the First Oval Office Project are $20 for adults and $10 for youth, and may be purchased online or at the North Carolina History Center Ticket Desk on Front Street or at the Waystation Ticket Office just across from the Palace’s front gates on Pollock Street.

The North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort will devote a full day to exploring whales and whaling from multiple perspectives, highlighting both the cultural history of whaling and today’s conservation efforts.

The annual Whales and Whaling Symposium is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, March 20, followed by an evening program at 5:30 p.m. in the museum’s auditorium. The symposium was held at Fort Macon State Park last year while the Beaufort facility was undergoing renovations.

The symposium is offered at no charge, but reservations are requested because there is limited seating. For more information or to RSVP, call call 252-504-7758 or visit ncmaritimemuseumbeaufort.com.

“We wanted to create a program that looks at whales through many lenses: science, history, art and conservation,” Associate Education Curator Christine Brin, who coordinated the symposium, said in a release. “Whales have shaped coastal communities for centuries, and they continue to shape conversations about how we care for our oceans today.”

The program begins at 10:15 a.m. with “NC Whales: Diversity, Distribution, and Conservation,” presented by Keith Rittmaster, the museum’s natural science curator and director of the Bonehenge Whale Center.

Rittmaster is to discuss the 35 species of cetaceans, or the whales, dolphins, and porpoises, documented off North Carolina’s coast, conservation challenges and ongoing work at Bonehenge Whale Center, a facility in Beaufort focused on marine conservation, educational programming, outreach, publications, and stranded specimen collection and maintenance for these mammals.

Next on the schedule is historian David Cecelski who will present at 11:15 a.m. “Nye’s Clock Oil and the Bottlenose Dolphin Fishery at Hatteras Island.” His talk examines the surprising connection between North Carolina’s coastal fisheries, the waning days of American whaling and the rise of the U.S. clockmaking industry at the turn of the 20th century.

After lunch at 2 p.m. Dr. Vicki Szabo, professor of ancient, medieval and environmental history at Western Carolina University, will present “Watching Whales in the Middle Ages.” In her talk, Szabo contrasts whale mythology in medieval Europe with the practical knowledge of coastal communities, drawing on historical texts and archaeological evidence.

Marine biologist and conservation-based crafter Tommy Tucker is to present at 3 p.m. “How Many Whales Does It Take to Save a Species?” that focuses on the critically endangered Rice’s whales and uses the stories of individual whales to illustrate the intersection of maritime history, natural history and conservation.

The day concludes with the evening program featuring the North Carolina aerial survey team for North Atlantic right whales. Operated locally in Beaufort by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute in Florida and funded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the team will discuss right whale biology, current population trends and how aerial surveys are supporting recovery efforts for this critically endangered species.

“Each speaker brings a unique perspective, but together they tell a much larger story,” Brin said. “From medieval whale myths to modern aerial surveys, this symposium shows how our understanding of whales has evolved and why that understanding matters more than ever.”

The North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort is part of the Division of History Museums under the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

To commemorate Women’s History Month in March, Somerset Place in Washington County is highlighting the contributions that enslaved and free women made to the development, maintenance, and infrastructure of the 18th century plantation with guided tours.

The fee is $10 for the tours being offered at 10 a.m. on March 14, March 18, March 21, March 25 and March 28. For 15 or more people, group reservations are required. The site is located at 2572 Lake Shore Road, Creswell.

Somerset Place was an active plantation from 1785-1865. Rice, corn, oats, wheat, beans, peas and flax were planted on hundreds of acres, and sawmills turned out thousands of feet of lumber. By 1865, Somerset Place was one of the upper South’s largest plantations.

Now an historic site, Somerset Place is a representative state historic site offering a comprehensive and realistic view of 19th-century life on a large North Carolina plantation.

During its 80 years as an active plantation under slavery from 1785-1865, “enslaved persons converted thousand of acres into high yielding fields of rice, corn, oats, wheat, beans, peas, and flax. Meanwhile, enslaved and free millwrights operated sophisticated sawmills that turned out thousands of feet of lumber. By 1860, Somerset Place was one of the Upper South’s largest plantations,” according to North Carolina Historic Sites.

Almost 200 Black and white, enslaved and free men, women, and children were assembled as a labor force by 1790. “Over the life of the plantation, three generations of owners, around 50 white employees, two free black employees, and more than 861 enslaved people lived and worked on the plantation,” , the sites website continues.

By the mid-19th century, there were more than 50 buildings on-site including barns, saw and gristmills, stables, a hospital, an Episcopal chapel, a kitchen complex, 26 houses for members of the enslaved community, and homes for overseers, tutors, ministers, and the owner’s family, along with a kitchen/laundry, dairy, storehouse, and smoke and salting houses.

Nearly all the emancipated Black families left the plantation by the end of 1865 after the Civil War. The owners eventually sold and left the property. The plantation remained functioning through 1945.

Somerset’s plantation house and six adjacent structures were incorporated into what was the newly formed Pettigrew State Park in 1939, and in 1969, became a state historic site under the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Regular hours for the site are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

The North Topsail Beach Board of Aldermen announced Thursday that it is on the hunt for a new town manager.

Town officials did not specify the reason for Town Manager Alice Derian’s resignation, only that her last day as head of the town’s administrative operations will be June 1.

“The Town has already begun the process of hiring both an interim and full-time manager,” Mayor Richard Grant stated in a release. “We will be interviewing interim candidates this week and have begun the process of recruiting a permanent placement. Ms. Derian will continue in her role for the foreseeable future to ensure a smooth transition.”

Derian was appointed North Topsail Beach town manager in October 2021. According to the town’s website, Derian has more than 20 years of experience in local government.

The town board is “working closely” with the North Carolina League of Municipalities in its search for an interim manager, “to step in and ensure the continuation of smooth operations while the Board focuses on finding a permanent candidate to fill the role of Town Manager,” according to a release. “The Board of Aldermen will provide additional information regarding interim leadership and the process for selecting the next town manager at a later time.”

Alliance for Cape Fear Trees is hosting its next tree giveaway in Leland on Saturday.

The Wilmington-based nonprofit will be giving away 1,000 native trees at the event, which is scheduled from 9 a.m. until noon, while supplies last, at the Leland Cultural Arts Center, 1212 Magnolia Village Way.

Tree stewards and arborists will be available to help people choose trees best suited for their properties. There is a limit of two trees per household.

Available trees species will include Satyr Hill American holly, persimmon, flowering dogwood, Dura Heat river birch, blackgum, Princeton American elm, white oak, and southern live oak.

Saturday’s tree giveaway is being sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation and Enterprise Mobility.

A public hearing on three proposed shellfish bottom and water column leases in Hyde County is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 18.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries Shellfish Lease and Aquaculture Program is holding the hearing at the Hyde County Courthouse in Swan Quarter and online using Webex.

The hearing will cover the following proposed shellfish lease applications:

• Good Time Charlie’s Fisheries LLC, Mary E. Van Salisbury, has applied for a 2.12-acre shellfish bottom and water column lease in Back Creek.
• Angel’s Breath Oyster Co. LLC, Michael L. D’Amelio, has applied for a 4.04-acre shellfish bottom and water column lease in Rose Bay.
• Oasis Oyster Co. LLC, Maxwell A. D’Amelio, has applied for a 4.09-acre shellfish bottom and water column lease in Rose Bay.

Proposed lease areas will be marked at each corner as a proposed shellfish bottom lease and/or water column lease with the identifying numbers listed above.

Public hearing information, including the web conference link, call-in phone number, presentation slides and biological investigation reports, are online at deq.nc.gov/2026-03-18-hyde-county-shellfish-lease-hearing.

The public may comment on the proposed shellfish leases in person at the hearing or via Webex. Those wishing to speak via Webex should register before the hearing at deq.nc.gov/hyde-county-shellfish-lease-hearing-speaker-registration. Those who wish to comment in person can register to speak at the meeting from 5-6 p.m. the night of the hearing.

The public can submit written comments on the proposed shellfish leases up to 24 hours after the hearings online at nc.gov/hyde-county-shellfish-lease-hearing-comment-form, or mail to NC Division of Marine Fisheries, Shellfish Lease and Aquaculture Program, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, NC 28557.

For more information, contact the shellfish lease and aquaculture program at 252- 515-5600 or SLAP@deq.nc.gov.

The Carolinas chapter of ocean advocacy organization Oceana invite the public to join “a night of whales and ales” Wednesday, March 25, in Wilmington.

Connect with the experts leading the charge for North Atlantic right whale conservation at the event set for 6-7:30 p.m. at Azalea Station, 1502 Castle St.

Related: NOAA Fisheries considers changing right whale protections

The session will include discussion of how the vessel speed rule is transforming the landscape for their survival.

Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP online by March 23, as the venue can accommodate only about 30 guests.

The North Carolina Environmental Management Commission has scheduled a series of public hearings in select cities beginning next month on proposed PFAS and 1,4-dioxane monitoring and minimization rules.

In all, six hearings have been set, three of which will focus on proposed rules for discharges of three per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances through wastewater into North Carolina’s surface waters and three on proposed rules for monitoring and minimizing 1,4-dioxane in wastewater discharges from certain facilities into surface waters.

A public comment period for each set of proposed rules will kick off on March 16 and continue until June 15.

Under the proposed PFAS rules, all major and minor industrial direct dischargers, and significant industrial users that discharge to publicly owned treatment works, would be required to monitor and implement “minimization activities required to eliminate or significantly reduce” discharges of PFOS, PFOA, and GenX within a period of anywhere between three and five years.

Discharge limits for those specific PFAS have yet to be determined.

PFAS exposure has been linked to a number of adverse health impacts to people, including thyroid disease, increased cholesterol, liver damage, and different types of cancers.

More than 3 million North Carolinians are estimated to drink tap water containing PFAS levels above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency health-based standard scheduled to go into effect in the coming years, according to the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality.

Public hearings on the proposed rules for the three PFAS are scheduled as follows:

• April 7 at 6 p.m. in Ferguson Auditorium, AB-Tech Community College, 19 Tech Drive, Asheville.
• April 20 at 6 p.m. in the Archdale Building, ground floor hearing room, 512 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh. Public parking will be available after 5 p.m. at parking deck 64 across North Salisbury Street from the Archdale Building.
• April 23 at 6 p.m. in Wilmington City Hall at Skyline Center, first floor conference center, 929 North Front St., Wilmington. Parking is available in the south lot using the Brunswick Street entrance. Attendees requiring American with Disabilities Act access should park in the visitor lot.

Written comments are being accepted by email to publiccomments@deq.nc.gov with the subject title “PFAS minimization” or by mail to Karen Preston, DEQ-DWR NPDES Permitting Section, 1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1617.

Comments will be accepted on the proposed rule adoptions and associated regulatory impact analysis. The commission is also accepting comments on specific questions including:

• Whether it would be scientifically defensible and advisable to establish a screening threshold above the lowest reporting concentration for PFOS, PFOA and GenX that could serve as a trigger for ongoing monitoring and minimization requirements.
• Whether the applicability of the PFAS monitoring and minimization rule should be limited to industrial dischargers associated with a standard industry classification (SIC) or North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes known to be linked to PFAS use or discharge.

Hearings on proposed rules for monitoring and minimizing 1,4-dioxane, a federally deemed likely human carcinogen, in wastewater discharges into surface waters from certain facilities have been scheduled for the following dates:

• April 9 at 6 p.m. in the Catawba County St. Stephens Branch Library, 3225 Springs Road, Hickory.
• April 14 at 6 p.m. at Fayetteville Technology Community College, Tony Rand Student Center multipurpose room, 2220 Hull Road, Fayetteville.
• May 12 at 6 p.m. in the Percy H. Sears Applied Technologies Building Auditorium, Guilford Technical Community College, 1201 Bonner Drive, Jamestown.

Written comments on the proposed rules for 1,4-dixoane may be submitted via email to publiccomments@deq.nc.gov with the subject heading “1,4-dioxane minimization,” or by mail to Bridget Shelton, DEQ-DWR Planning Section, 1611 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C., 27699-1611.

The EMC will also be accepting specific comments on the proposed 1,4-dixoane minimization rules to include:

• Whether a screening threshold above the lowest reported concentration (currently 1 microgram per liter) for 1,4-dioxane would be appropriate as a trigger for ongoing monitoring and minimization planning.
• whether the applicability of the 1,4-dioxane monitoring and minimization rules should be expanded beyond the currently proposed scope of dischargers with certain standard industry classification or North American Industry Classification System codes to include all industrial dischargers.

Sign-in and speaker registration will begin at 5 p.m. at each of the hearings.

Based on attendance, speaking time may be limited to allow everyone an opportunity to be heard. The commission will accept written comments and copies of prepared remarks at each hearing.

The North Carolina Marine & Estuary Foundation and North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries plan this year to expand a red drum tagging program that offers insight into the movement patterns of North Carolina’s official state saltwater fish.

The foundation announced Tuesday plans to tag 25 more red drum, adding to the 33 tagged last year during expeditions led by the foundation and the division in conjunction with local fishing guides along the North Carolina coast.

The tags allow the public to track the movements of red drum, including through coastal inlets and spawning locations, through an interactive tracking platform funded by the foundation and developed in collaboration with technology company Mapotic.

The interactive tracking platform for red drum brings cutting-edge marine science directly to the public.

Since its launch, the platform has recorded more than 28,000 views.

“Red drum are an iconic symbol of North Carolina’s coastal communities, and the public interest in our groundbreaking red drum tracker demonstrates North Carolinians’ strong affinity for the species,” Marine & Estuary Foundation Executive Director Chad Thomas stated in a release. “This year, we are excited to continue developing our platform and aim to tag 25 additional red drum in partnership with the Division. Our work enables researchers, anglers, and the public to better understand the migratory habits of one of North Carolina’s most economically and culturally significant species.”

A pilot study launched in 2024 in which 10 adult red drum were tagged in Pamlico Sound allowed researchers to determine which tag attachment methods work best and optimal satellite transmission settings.

The tagging project was expanded last year and is being conducted with assistance from recreational fishing guides and as part of the division’s annual longline survey.

Tags are programmed in intervals ranging from 30 days to 12 months to detach from a fish and “pop up” at the surface, transmitting daily location data to the Argos satellite network, creating a detailed map of a fish’s movements.

“Because red drum often travel near the surface, some tags may send data before their programmed release, providing early insights into fish locations,” according to the release.

The Stamp Defiance Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is planning to dedicate a plaque later this month to commemorate the country’s “Forgotten Patriots of the American Revolution.”

The Wilmington-based group has scheduled the ceremony, part of the nationwide commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary, for 10 a.m. Friday, March 20, at USS North Carolina’s Battleship Park in Wilmington.

Speakers include USS North Carolina Director Dr. Jay Martin. The Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard will present the Colors. The Eugene Ashley High School’s NJROTC will serve as Honor Guard and lead the Pledge of Allegiance, and the Tryon Palace Fife and Drum Corps will perform traditional 18th-century military tunes. A reception will follow the ceremony.

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution has partnered with America250, the nationwide initiative led by the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission. America250 NC, North Carolina’s 250th commemoration, is a program under the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

When the British Parliament passed the Stamp Act of 1765, Wilmington residents showed their opposition with protests and militia actions, causing the resignation of the distributor of stamps and two other crown officers. As a result, the Stamp Act of 1765 was never enforced. In September 1921, the Stamp Defiance Chapter formed in Wilmington, and was named after those who opposed the act, according to the chapter’s website.

A federal judge last week ordered the Trump administration to restore millions in disaster mitigation funds previously awarded for projects across the country, including dozens in North Carolina.

U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns last Friday granted a motion to force the Federal Emergency Management Agency to reinstate its Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities, or BRIC, program.

Stearns is the same judge who, on Dec. 11, 2025, sided with North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson and 19 other state attorneys general, declaring FEMA unlawfully terminated the BRIC program.

Roughly $200 million had already been awarded to North Carolina communities, including those in coastal counties, for projects aimed at reducing and preventing storm damage, when the Trump administration decided to axe BRIC.

Despite Stearns’ issuance of an immediate, permanent injunction restoring BRIC, the administration has yet to comply and release the funds.

Jackson joined other attorneys general in heading back to court to ask the judge to force FEMA to comply.

“FEMA tried to cancel $200 million for North Carolina,” Jackson stated in a March 6 release. “We took them to court, we won, and then they defied the court order and refused to pay. So we just took them back to court – and won again. FEMA has 14 days to show the court they are complying. The clock is ticking, and we are ready to do this again if necessary.”

FEMA has 14 days from the time of the judge’s order to identify all selected, phased, and pending BRIC projects, and provide the steps the agency must take to reverse the termination of the program and provide a timeline to the states for existing project funding. The agency has also been ordered to open new grant applications within 21 days of the March 6 ruling.

North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries announced Monday that those interested in leasing public coastal waters to cultivate shellfish may submit applications now through Aug. 1.

The division, which manages the state’s Shellfish Lease and Aquaculture Program, accepts bottom lease and water column applications annually March 1-Aug. 1. Site investigations are conducted April 1-Oct. 1, to align with submerged aquatic vegetation growing seasons.

Applicants must include in their application a comprehensive storm preparation and gear management plan, detailed in Section 5 of the application and Appendix VII. This plan is mandatory.

Application materials and program details are available at deq.nc.gov/shellfish-lease.

The division encourages applicants not to wait until the deadline to apply. Applications that are incomplete, submitted incorrectly or that propose ineligible lease sites will be denied. Applications denied after Aug. 1 cannot be resubmitted until 2027. All application fees are nonrefundable and nontransferable.

The division’s interactive Shellfish Aquaculture Tool, which is updated weekly, allows the public and applicants to track the status of active, pending and terminated shellfish leases.

“Shellfish aquaculture supports North Carolina’s working waterfronts and contributes important economic and environmental benefits to coastal communities,” the division said.

The division said in the release that it provides guidance and technical support to help applicants meet state requirements and plan effective, sustainable operations.

For more information, contact the Shellfish Lease and Aquaculture Program at 252-515-5600.

The North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort plans to resume this month its outdoor field programs.

The museum offers each year during the warmer months three field programs: “Hiking and History on Shackleford Banks,” “Exploring Coastal Habitats on the Rachel Carson Reserve,” and “Kayak the Salt Marsh.”

Related: Beaufort Maritime Museum reopens after yearlong closure

“We designed these programs to help the community explore our rich environment, history and culture while also learning about the diverse habitats found here,” Education Curator Courtney Felton said in a statement.

The first two programs take participants to local barrier islands and through the various habitats found just off our mainland.

“Exploring Coastal Habitats on the Rachel Carson Reserve” is set to resume for the year 8:30 a.m. to noon March 11. Participants will be guided on a walking tour through maritime forest, salt marsh and sound-side habitats while learning about the plants and animals that make the estuarine system unique. Additional dates for this program are April 23, May 26, June 24, Sept. 8 and Oct. 6. Cost for each program is $25, which includes transportation by local ferry to the islands.

“Hiking and History on Shackleford Banks” is scheduled to resume for the year 8:30 a.m. to noon March 25. The guided hike combines natural history with stories of the people who once called the island home, offering insight into maritime lifeways, shipwrecks and the wild horses that roam the island today. Additional dates for this program are May 12, June 9, Aug. 19, Sept. 22 and Oct. 20. Cost is $35, including ferry transport.

“The Rachel Carson program is perfect for those interested in coastal ecology,” Felton said. “And the Shackleford tour is perfect for history buffs and nature enthusiasts alike.”

“Kayak the Salt Marsh” is a guided 1.5-mile paddle in one of the museum’s sit-in kayaks that will resume 9 a.m. to noon April 2. The tour winds through Gallants Channel’s marshes, focusing on the plants and wildlife that can be found within. Additional dates for this program are May 5, June 3, Aug. 13 and Sept. 1 and 30. Cost is $35, or $30 with your own kayak.

“Some kayak experience is helpful,” Felton said. “However, we provide basic kayak instruction on shore and work with the tides to keep the program accessible to all skill levels.”

A special “Science and Exploration on the Rachel Carson Reserve” program is to take place April 27 as part of the NC Science Festival. During the monthlong effort April 1-30, sites and organizations offer science, technology, engineering, and math, or STEM, programming to spread science education.

The hike will be guided by a museum educator and the Central Sites manager from the N.C. Coastal Reserve & National Estuarine Research Reserve. They will additionally highlight how the reserve’s ecosystems are managed for research, education, and long-term stewardship. Participants will also learn how they can support the reserve through citizen science efforts. Cost is $25, which includes transportation by local ferry to the islands.

“These field programs provide an opportunity for visitors to experience the coast in a deeper way,” Felton said. “We hope participants leave with a greater appreciation for our natural resources and a sense of stewardship for these special places.”

All of the museum field programs are recommended for ages 12 and up, with adult supervision required for those under age 18. Members of the Friends of the Maritime Museum, which sponsors the programs, receive a 10% discount. Advance registration is required.

To register or for more information, visit ncmaritimemuseumbeaufort.com or call 252-504-7758.

Travelers using U.S. Highway 70 to cross the Trent River should expect nightly closures through the next six weeks while North Carolina Department of Transportation crews replace bridge joints.

Work began Sunday on U.S. 70 East near mile marker 417 and will continue for about three weeks from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Friday. After the eastbound lanes are complete, crews are expected to begin March 29 maintenance work on U.S. 70 West, also near mile marker 417.

Work on each section of the bridge is expected to take about three weeks on each side of the highway, with the road fully reopened by late April, transportation officials said. This work is weather-dependent and could be rescheduled.  

For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on social media.

Cape Fear River Watch’s seminar series on Saturday will feature the principal investigator of the GenX exposure study.

Dr. Jane Hoppin, a professor at North Carolina State University, will provide a summary of the study’s findings to-date and discuss future plans for the project.

The study began in 2017 after residents in Wilmington were informed through a newspaper report that an upstream chemical manufacturing plant had, for decades, been discharging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, including GenX, into their drinking water source, the Cape Fear River.

The study, which measures the blood levels of PFAS in Wilmington residents, has evolved into a long-term health project with more than 1,000 participants throughout the Cape Fear River Basin.

Cape Fear River Watch hosts its seminar series the first Saturday of each month.

The free event is being held at Cape Fear River Watch’s headquarters at 617 Surry St., Wilmington.

Those interested in attending are encouraged to arrive early to secure a seat. Complimentary pancakes and coffee will be served.

Gov. Josh Stein and North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Reid Wilson made a visit Thursday to Cape Fear Public Utility Authority’s Sweeney Water Treatment Plant in Wilmington to formally announce a $17.8 million grant from the state to support the replacement and capacity upgrade of the utility’s Southside Water Reclamation Facility.

The funds will be used to extend waterlines to connect more than 300 homes with contaminated wells to the utility’s supply of drinking water.

The governor’s office first announced Feb. 19 the nearly $18 million grant, which is coming out of more than $472 million for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects.

“The $472 million statewide investment through NCDEQ will help cities, towns and counties strengthen infrastructure to better withstand future storms, improve existing drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, reduce contamination by forever chemicals, and identify and replace lead pipes,” according to the press release.

A list of all the projects selected for funding is on the NCDEQ website.

“When families turn on the tap, they deserve to know that their water is clean and safe,” Stein said in an announcement. “This $17 million investment in Wilmington will protect more than 300 families from forever chemicals by connecting their homes to the public water supply. We’ve made historic commitments to upgrade water infrastructure across North Carolina because keeping North Carolinians healthy starts with reliable, resilient water systems.”

The Cape Fear Public Utility Authority will receive the funds through the Department of Environmental Quality’s Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities program, funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The $17.8 million funding to the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority brings DEQ’s total support for the Southside Replacement Project to $192.8 million.

“People who live in the Cape Fear River Basin are rightly concerned about high levels of forever chemicals like GenX and PFAS in their drinking water,” Wilson said. “The Department of Environmental Quality remains committed to doing everything we can to reduce exposure to these harmful chemicals so that families can trust that the water coming out of their tap is healthy and safe.”

In the parts of New Hanover County served by these waterline extension projects, more than 75% of sampled wells exceeded health-based drinking water standards for certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. PFAS is a group of thousands of human-made, persistent chemicals that have been used for decades to make heat, water, and stain-resistant products.

“Since CFPUA brought new filters online at our Sweeney Plant in 2022, we have been able to effectively remove GenX and other PFAS from our public drinking water,” utility Board Chairman Wesley P. Corder said. “We are very grateful for this support from Governor Stein’s Office and the Department of Environmental Quality, which will enable us to connect more families in our community to CFPUA’s clean, clearly better water.”

Since taking office, Stein has advanced more than $1.4 billion in water infrastructure projects to strengthen drinking water and wastewater systems and address PFAS and other contaminants.

Last week, the Governor traveled to Winston-Salem to join the 40th annual Emerging Issues Forum, where he discussed the importance of sustained investment in North Carolina’s water infrastructure.

Related: Population growth to impact water infrastructure: Forum

Archaeologists and historians are going to share their evidence of mixed Elizabethan-Algonquian material culture at sites on Hatteras Island during the March installment of the “Science on the Sound” series.

“The Smoking Gun?: New Radiocarbon Dates and Hunting Practices Linking Hatteras Island to Fort Raleigh in the Sixteenth Century” is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, March 26, at the Coastal Studies Institute on the East Carolina University Outer Banks Campus.

The public is encouraged to attend the program being offered at no charge or view the presentation via YouTube. “Science on the Sound” is a monthly, in-person lecture series highlighting coastal topics.

The nonprofit Croatoan Archaeological Society and the University of Bristol have uncovered evidence that “strongly suggests Hatteras was the location where at least some of the ‘lost’ colonists re-settled when they went missing between 1587 and 1590,” organizers said.

“These objects have been cautiously interpreted, however, since European objects may have been traded long after those who originally brought them to the Carolina coast had passed away,” they continued. “Here we summarize past findings and describe the clearest evidence to date that the 1587 colonists were present on Hatteras Island: biogeochemical, radiocarbon, osteological, and metalwork evidence that demonstrate the presence of late sixteenth century firearms and hunting practices on Croatoan land.”

Beth Scaffidi, Mark Horton and Scott Dawson are presenting.

Scaffidi is an assistant professor of Anthropology and Heritage Studies, director of the Skeletal & Environmental Isotope Laboratory, or SEIL, and co-director of various archaeological field research programs in Peru. She uses bioarchaeological isotopes, palaeopathology and spatial analysis to investigate how interactions between ritual, landscapes and resources co-constitute human and environmental health.

Horton is the pro vice-chancellor of Research and Enterprise and professor of historical archeology at the Royal Agricultural University of England. He specializes in landscape archeology and archaeological science methods as applied to maritime and Colonial contexts around the globe and emphasizes public outreach and conservation of material culture.

Dawson is an area historian, director of the Croatoan Archaeological Society, and owner of the Lost Colony Museum in Buxton. He has been co-directing archaeological excavation of Cape Hatteras sites with Horton and society volunteers for over a decade.

Drivers in Brunswick County and the Wilmington area can expect delays over the next several weeks as crews resume construction improvements along a stretch of Interstate 140.

North Carolina Department of Transportation contractors will close lanes daily starting Monday along a 6-mile stretch of the interstate between U.S. 17 and U.S. 74.

One lane will remain open in each direction.

The road improvement project, which began last year, includes milling and resurfacing, rumble strip installation, pavement marking installation, guardrail improvements and bridge rehabilitation on both eastbound and westbound lanes.

All lanes will reopen once work is complete, which is expected by early May.

DOT encourages drivers to slow down and remain alert through the construction zone, and to consider alternate routes to avoid travel delays.

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is hosting two public hearings this month on a proposed temporary rule amendment for sheepshead in inland and joint fishing waters of the state.

The commission is also accepting public comments on the proposed regulation, which would align with a North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries proclamation, through March 31.

The proposed temporary rule amendment for sheepshead calls for decreasing the daily creel limit of that species from 10 to five fish, and increasing the minimum size from 10 to 14 inches in inland and joint fishing waters (hook and line).

“The Wildlife Resources Commission initiated the temporary rulemaking process to provide regulatory consistency for sheepshead following the Marine Fisheries’ proclamation,” Inland Fisheries Division Chief Corey Oakley said in a release.

The commission continues to accept public comments on a proposed temporary rule amendment to close recreational harvesting of spotted seatrout in inland and joint fishing waters from April 6 to June 30. That proposed rule amendment aligns with DMF’s proclamation for all commercial and recreational coastal and joint fishing waters that was enacted in response to cold stun events earlier this year.

Both the sheepshead and the spotted seatrout temporary rule amendments will be discussed at an in-person public hearing scheduled for 6 p.m. on March 10 at the N.C. Cooperative Extension’s Lenoir County Center, 1791 N.C. 11, Kinston. Registration is not required for this hearing.

A virtual hearing has been scheduled for 2 p.m. on March 17 and registration is required to attend.

Comments on the proposed temporary rule amendment for sheepshead may be submitted online, by email to regulations@ncwildlife.gov, or by mail to Rulemaking Coordinator, 1701 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC, 27699-1701. Mail must be postmarked by March 31.

The public comment period for the proposed temporary rule amendment for spotted seatrout is set to close March 13.

Commissioners are scheduled to vote on the temporary rule pertaining to sheepshead during their April business meeting.

The North Carolina Environmental Management Commission is expected to consider adopting rule amendments pertaining to air quality and domestic wastewater discharges at its upcoming meeting.

The commission, which adopts rules to protect natural resources, will also consider voting on schedules for readopting existing rules at its March 12 meeting.

The commission’s committees are scheduled to meet beginning at 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 11. The full commission’s meeting the following day is to start at 9 a.m.

Meetings will be held on the ground floor hearing room of the Archdale Building, 512 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh. The public may attend in-person, by computer or by telephone.

Meeting agendas and supporting documents, as well as steps to join the meeting virtually or by phone can be found on the commission’s website.

Updates of ongoing work, future cleanup plans, and studies of a former wood treatment plant site in Navassa will be included among topics discussed at an upcoming community meeting.

During the meeting scheduled for 5:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 12, federal and state officials will discuss the recently completed cleanup of contaminated soil and debris in operable unit 2 of the Kerr-McGee Chemical Corp – Navassa Superfund Site.

An in-person only drop-in session will be held from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Officials will also highlight the cleanup plan for operable unit 4 and an ongoing pilot study of that unit evaluating whether injecting oxygen into the aquifer would effectively remediate contamination in subsurface soils and groundwater.

Other topics are to include the feasibility study for operable unit 3, also known as the southern marsh, and an update on the Moze Center land donation and draft conservation easement under review by the Navassa Town Council and mayor.

The meeting, which is being hosted by the Multistate Environmental Response Trust in coordination with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, will be held in-person at the Navassa Community Center, 338 Main St., on Zoom, or by telephone at 301-715-8592, meeting ID 946 584 8922, passcode 664564.

Those who wish to join online may also enter  tinyurl.com/Navassameetings into a browser.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality is hosting an online public information session this month to provide an overview of the Flood Resiliency Blueprint.

During the meeting, scheduled for 6 p.m. March 25, state officials will also provide information on the program’s online decision support tool and ongoing development of river basin action strategies.

The GIS-enabled tool is designed to provide users with accurate, data-driven flood risk and vulnerability assessments, allow them to explore, develop and define flood resilience actions, and help them evaluate and prioritize effective flood resilience actions.

The Flood Resiliency Blueprint, also referred to as the Blueprint, is the largest proactive statewide flood mitigation investment in the state’s history.

The Blueprint supports the planning, evaluation and implementation of flood resilience plans by equipping local governments, the state and supporting organizations with data, tools and processes to guide investments to reduce flood risk, fund priority projects and address gaps in mitigation efforts.

A total of 81 flood resilience projects have been funded since 2024 in the North Carolina General Assembly-designated river basins, which include the Neuse, French Broad, White Oak, Tar Pamlico, Cape Fear and Lumber. Those projects total more than $40 million.

Officials will also deliver during the information session a river basin action strategy for each of the basins, which will include a set of projects and funding strategies to reduce flooding, lessen damage, and strengthen communities’ ability to withstand, adapt to and recover quickly from future disasters.

Attendees of the public information session will get the opportunity to ask questions. Questions may also be submitted via email to blueprint@deq.nc.gov. 

To join by Webex go to https://ncgov.webex.com/ncgov/j.php?MTID=m1e4c9ef1d0647e6928d442190ce486e5. The meeting number/access code is 2438 419 0160 and the password is blueprint. To join by telephone dial 1-415-655-0003. 

Work is set to begin this week to repair and restore the Bodie Island double keepers’ quarters that was damaged in an electrical fire more than a year ago.

Once the damages are repaired, Cape Hatteras National Seashore plans to install new exhibits on the first floor of the building, which has been closed since the Jan. 7, 2025, fire.

“Restoring the interior of the Bodie Island DKQ, with support from Outer Banks Forever, will allow the Seashore to once again tell the stories of the light station’s important history,” David Hallac, National Parks of Eastern North Carolina superintendent said in a release.

The project is a partnership of Cape Hatteras National Seashore and its official nonprofit partner Outer Banks Forever, which is funding the repairs.

“We’re honored to partner with the National Park Service to restore this beloved, historically significant building so park visitors can have an immersive experience learning about the lightkeepers and families who played important roles in Outer Banks and United States maritime history,” Outer Banks Forever Director Bryan Burhans stated in the release.

Outer Banks Forever has received a special use permit for the project.

Registration is open for the 2026 North Carolina Aquaculture Development Conference, a three-day event that focuses on the future of aquaculture in state.

The event, which will be held March 25-27 at they Crystal Coast Civic Center on the Carteret Community College campus in Morehead City, is to include keynote sessions, technical workshops, and interactive discussions on a range of aquaculture species and production systems relevant to the state.

The program is a time for the public, current and aspiring fish farmers, scientists, educators, researchers, students, and agency and regulatory professionals to come together to share ideas, advance best practices, and strengthen connections across the aquaculture community, organizers said.

The Got to Be NC Seafood Expo, which celebrates the state’s seafood industry, will take place during the event, and innovative equipment, technologies, and products will be showcased

There will be a career fair March 25 and attendees may join in at 6 p.m. for trivia night at Tight Lines Pub and Brewing Co. in downtown Morehead City.

Agendas for each day of the conference are available online. To register for the conference and the expo visit https://ncaquaculture.com/registration/.

Recreational anglers are being asked to donate carcasses of legally harvested Gulf flounder to the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries during the 2026 spring season.

Carcasses will be used for research purposes. Biologists with the division will measure each fish, determine the sex of each fish when possible, and remove the otoliths, or ear bones, to determine the age of each fish.

During the recreational harvesting season, which is March 9-22 in ocean waters from Portsmouth Island to the South Carolina line, anglers who donate legally harvested Gulf flounder carcasses and complete the required catch-card (one person per fish, per card) will be entered to win one of five tackle bags filled with fishing gear and more.

Flounder are one of five species anglers are now required to report under a new state law.

Carcass donations may be dropped at one of the division’s Carcass Collection Program’s eight freezer locations.

Those locations include:

• Cape Pointe Marina, 1390 Island Road, Harkers Island.
• Chasin Tails Outdoors Bait & Tackle, 709 Atlantic Beach Causeway, Atlantic Beach.
• N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries Headquarters, 3441 Arendell St., Morehead City.
• Pelagic Hunter, 104 James St., Sneads Ferry.
• Tex’s Tackle, 215 Old Eastwood Road, Wilmington.
• Carolina Beach Municipal Docks, Carl Winner Drive, Carolina Beach.
• Clem’s Seafood, 4351 Long Beach Road SE, Southport.
• Ocean Isle Fishing Center, 65 Causeway Drive, Ocean Isle Beach.

Donation supplies and catch-cards are available at each donation site. Anglers must complete the entire catch-card legibly, completely and truthfully to be eligible to win.

Anglers should leave the head and tail intact and, if possible, not remove the guts/reproductive organs when cleaning their fish.

Those who fish on a charter boat or head boat should let the fish cleaner know that a carcass will be donated.

The minimum size limit for Gulf flounder in North Carolina is 15 inches total length.

Recreational anglers who harvest Gulf flounder in federal waters and bring the fish back to North Carolina must meet the state’s season, size and possession limits.

Additional specific information is available under Proclamation FF-13-2026.

For more information about North Carolina’s Carcass Collection program, contact Amanda Macek, Division sportfishing specialist, at 252-515-5537 or amanda.macek@deq.nc.gov.

Registration for the Dare County Board of Commissioners chair’s state of the county presentation is now open.

Board Chairman Bob Woodard is scheduled to deliver the state of the county presentation at 10 a.m. March 21 at Cape Hatteras Secondary School, 48576 N.C. 12 in Buxton. Doors will open at 9:15 a.m.

The program will include the same message Woodard is expected to deliver in Kill Devil Hills March 18, but is being hosted in Buxton for Hatteras Island residents and property owners so they do not have to travel to the county’s northern beaches. Registration for the event in Kill Devil Hills is full.

The theme of this year’s presentation is “Reviewing a year of Progress in the Land of Beginnings.”

Though the event is free, advanced registration is encouraged for planning purposes.

For additional information visit DareNC.gov/SOC.

North Carolinians may now check daily air quality forecasts for ozone across the state.

This year’s ozone season began Sunday, signaling a reset for state and local environmental agencies to post daily air quality forecasts for ozone.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality will include ozone in its daily air quality forecasts, which includes year-round fine particulate matter pollution, through Oct. 31.

Ozone forms in the air from the Earth’s surface when nitrogen oxides react with hydrocarbons in the presence of heat and sunlight. Potential human health effects from exposure to high levels of ozone including heart and lung conditions, such as asthma, particularly in young children and older adults.

“Ozone levels on North Carolina’s highest ozone days continue to decline due to steady reductions in emissions from its primary air pollution sources: power plants, industry and motor vehicles,” according to the state.

North Carolina was designated as attaining the 2015 ozone standard statewide by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2017, and has maintained compliance with the standard since.

The division’s meteorologists use the air quality index to monitor and forecast ozone and fine particular matter. Daily forecasts are issued every three days out by 3 p.m. with a morning update by 10 a.m. the next day.

The state agency provides up-to-date, localized forecasting for 91 of North Carolina’s 100 counties and two mountain ridgetop zones.

The Forsyth County Office of Environmental Assistance and Protection forecasts air quality for the greater Triad region, including Winston-Salem and Greensboro.

In addition to the state’s air quality portal, forecasts are also available through the EPA’s AirNow website and app.

The division’s X feed and Facebook include forecast updates, information about active air quality alerts and opportunities to learn more about air quality.

Real-time and historical air quality and meteorological observations are available through the Ambient Information Reporter tool. Current- and long-term ozone trends for monitors through the United States are provided by the Ozone Design Value Predictor tool.

An educational video explaining the different air quality index color codes is available in English and Spanish.

New sheepshead regulations kick in next month for North Carolina recreational and commercial fisheries.

Beginning Sunday, the bag limit for recreational fishers will be five sheepshead per person per day.

The revised regulations for commercial fisheries include a limit of 1,500 pounds per operation per day, a limit of 10 fish per person per day or trip, including trips that occur over more than one calendar day, for gig and spear fishing, and a limit of 300 pounds per trip.

Both fisheries will have a size limit of 14 inches total length.

These changes are being implemented “because of increases in sheepshead harvest, particularly juvenile fish, in recent years,” according to a North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries release.

Under the new regulations, each fish should be measured from the tip of the snout to the longest part of the tail when pinched together.

These measurement changes align with regulations for black drum, according to the division.

“Aligning the measurement point for the two species simplifies regulations for the public,” a division release states.

Additional information is available on the division’s Proactive Sheepshead Management webpage.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation’s ferry system will soon increase the number of departures for the Hatteras-Ocracoke route.

Beginning Tuesday through to March 30, departures of the popular ferry route will jump from 28 to 36.

The new schedule from Hatteras will begin at 5 a.m. then every hour on the hour to 6 p.m., then 8 p.m., 9 p.m., 11 p.m., and midnight.

The first departure time of the day from Ocracoke will be at 4:30 a.m. and proceed as follows: 6:30 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m., 10:30 p.m., and midnight. 

The full schedule may be viewed and downloaded on DOT’s website.

To receive text or email notifications on schedule adjustments and other ferry information, you may sign up for the ferry information notification system.

A string of oceanfront properties on a private island off the southern North Carolina coast will be fortified from erosion with larger than typically allowed sandbags.

During its Feb. 25 meeting in Atlantic Beach, the Coastal Resources Commission granted the owners of 21 properties on the north end of Figure Eight Island a variance to have a sandbag revetment with a 40-foot-wide base and 12 feet high installed to fend off erosion.

The sandbags will also stretch across two accessways owned by the Figure Eight Beach Homeowners’ Association Inc., and join existing sandbag structures at the island’s north end at Rich Inlet.

Properties at the north end of the exclusive island are subject to cyclical patterns of erosion and accretion that occur as the inlet moves, according to information provided to the N.C. Division of Coastal Management.

The north end has experienced rapid erosion since 2022 due to an unfavorable configuration of the inlet channel.

Multiple storms that hit the area last fall exacerbated the erosion, which measured at a rate of between 5.3 feet and 11.5 feet per year based on 2020 data.

The homeowners’ association has a permit to dredge Nixon Channel, a project that typically yields about 250,000 cubic yards of beach compatible material. The HOA plans to have that material placed along the north end when the channel is dredged, a project expected to occur in November.

The homeowner’s association explored the possibility of building a terminal groin at Rich Inlet more than a decade ago, but property owners ultimately voted down a special assessment to pay for the project.

The HOA is working with the Army Corps of Engineers for a supplemental environmental impact statement for the Rich Inlet long-term management plan, including a 30-year beach nourishment permit.

Municipalities have until mid-April to submit their applications for state funds to develop comprehensive bicycle and pedestrian transportation plans.

The 2026 Multimodal Planning Grant Program, administered by the North Carolina Department of Transportation, provides a “comprehensive strategy for expanding bicycle and pedestrian opportunities in a community, rather than support a single project,” and can include facilities, programs, policies and design guidelines that promote safe walking and biking.

Those eligible include the following:

• Municipalities of any size and counties with populations under 100,000 looking to update an existing bicycle or pedestrian plan that is at least five years old.
• Municipalities with populations of less than 10,000 seeking an abbreviated plan focused on prioritizing project identification and implementation for small towns.
• North Carolina colleges and universities.

Officials said the grant helps municipalities:

• Develop a framework for a robust bike/pedestrian environment.
• Identify projects to submit for prioritization and funding in the State Transportation Improvement Program.
• Strengthen ability to secure funding from outside sources.
• Develop an internal approach for implementation.
• Promote bike/pedestrian education and safety in municipalities.
• Develop local policy supportive of bike/pedestrian infrastructure development.

Applications must be submitted online by 5 p.m. April 13. Award recipients will be notified by June. State grants require local matching funds commensurate with population. Watch the webinar for more information on match funding and general program information.

For more information, contact Bryan Lopez at 919-707-2606 or balopez@ncdot.gov.

The Alliance for Cape Fear Trees’ next tree giveaway is on March 7 in Columbus County.

The Wilmington-based nonprofit plans to distribute a little more than 1,000 trees, thanks to funding from Duke Energy Foundation, from 9 a.m. – noon at Riegelwood Baptist Church, 103 N.C. Highway 87.

Trees available at the upcoming giveaway include varying species of oak — white, shumard, overcup, swamp white, and willow — as well as Dura Heat river birch, blackgum/tupelo, Princeton American elm, fringe tree, autumn brilliance serviceberry, Clarynette American hornbeam.

According to the organization’s website, Alliance for Cape Fear Trees has given away more than 19,800 trees and planted more than 3,500.

Onslow County Museum is beginning its yearlong celebration of America’s 250th birthday with a new changing exhibition, “SEMPER FIDELIS: Onslow County Celebrates America 250.”

The exhibit opening is scheduled for Saturday, with a special “family free day” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The museum is located in Richlands.

The exhibition recounts the story of Onslow County’s role in the American Revolution, introducing visitors to local people, places, and events that were instrumental in the shaping of the new country, according to the county

“In keeping with one of the central themes of the celebration, ‘A Gathering of Voices,’ Onslow County Museum invited a panel of guest curators to contribute to the exhibition storyline,” Director Lisa Whitman-Grice said in a statement.

The limited-time exhibit with colorful panels inspired by a graphic novel highlights seldom told local stories, and highlights the Naval Stores Industry of Tar, Pitch, and Turpentine from the Longleaf Forest, Black Patriots, the Colonial Family, The Revolutionary Ordinary, and the Colonial Courts.  

Onslow County is one of 89 official county participants in the North Carolina Department of Cultural and Natural Resources A250 in NC commemoration.

Young learners with an interest in science, technology, engineering, art, and math can get hands-on experience at the Coastal Studies Institute at the East Carolina University Outer Banks Campus in Wanchese this summer.

Online registration opens March 2 for the camps that explore the Outer Banks. The fee is $425 a week for each camper.

Camps are 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and held every week from June 6 to Aug. 7. No camp is scheduled for the week of Fourth of July.

Themes for campers ages 10 to 13 include the following:

• “Coastal Kingdoms: Coastal Marine Biology + Ecology Camp” June 8-12 and June 15-19.
• “Shapes in Science: Art + Science Camp” June 22-26 and July 6-10.
• “Blue Horizons: Coastal Engineering Camp” July 13-17 and July 20-24.
• “Legends of the Atlantic: Maritime Archeology + Ocean Exploration Camp” July 27-31 and Aug. 3-7.

Organizers have planed a one-week camp for ages 13-17 themed “Coastal Explorers: Marine Science Technology & Remote Sensing Camp” for Aug. 10-14.

Contact Parker Murphy at 252-475-5452 for general camp questions. Contact ECU Continuing and Professional Education at 252-328-9198 about the registration process.

Led by East Carolina University, Coastal Studies Institute is a multi-institutional research and educational partnership of the UNC System, in partnership with North Carolina State University, UNC Chapel Hill, UNC Wilmington and Elizabeth City State University.

With an overwhelming majority of counties under extreme drought, the North Carolina Forest Service is asking residents to be extra cautious when burning outdoors.

“With the recent rainfall combined with multiple winter storms earlier this year, some folks may not realize that most of North Carolina is still experiencing very dry conditions,” N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler stated in a release. “Our state’s gradual descent into drought and prolonged dry conditions are going to lead to wildfires igniting more easily, burning more intensely and spreading quicker. The best defense against wildfires will always be to prevent them from starting.”

According to the latest North Carolina Drought Advisory issued Feb. 19 by the Drought Management Advisory Council, 72 of the state’s 100 counties were experiencing severe drought.

As of Feb. 17, almost all of the 20 coastal counties were under moderate drought, with Carteret County experiencing abnormally dry conditions.

The N.C. Drought Management Advisory Council urges residents to practice various water conservation measures as the Forest Service asks the public to apply best practices and common sense when burning outdoors, especially yard debris.

The leading cause of wildfires across North Carolina continues to be escaped yard debris burns, according to the Forest Service. In fact, nearly half of all wildfires in the state start as a result of uncontrolled yard debris burns.

Human-caused wildfires also stem from machine and vehicle use, dragging tow chains, arson and escaped campfires.

“A fire can escape in a matter of seconds, especially on warm days when winds are gusty,” Troxler stated. “This means you never leave a fire unattended until it is completely out and cold.”

Counties in western North Carolina where forests were substantially damaged during Hurricane Helene in September 2024 “remain especially vulnerable to wildfires due to dead and dying timber,” the Forest Service stated.

Residents should contact their local N.C. Forest Service county ranger’s office before starting outdoor fires.

Observe the following safe burning practices:

• Check local burning laws.
• Ensure you have a valid permit to burn.
• Avoid burning on dry, windy days, placing yard vegetation in a cleared area and contain it by a screen receptacle away from overhead branches and wires.
• Don’t burn on dry, windy days.
• Place vegetative debris in a cleared area and contain it in a screened receptacle away from overhead branches and wires.
• Be sure you are fully prepared before burning, keeping a hose, bucket, steel rake and shovel to toss dirt on the fire, and a phone, close by.
• Do not use kerosene, gasoline, diesel fuel or other flammable liquids to fuel a fire.
• Stay with your fire until it is completely out.
• Apply these tips to campfires and grills, dousing burning charcoal briquettes or campfires thoroughly with water until embers are cold to the touch. Use dirt or sand as an alternative to extinguish the fire, but be careful not to bury the fire.

Residents, especially those sensitive to smoke, including children, active people, older adults and those with heart or lung disease such as asthma, can stay smoke ready by utilizing air quality index resources, including the following:

• The Division of Air Quality website.
• The N.C. State University and Division of Air Quality portal.
• airnow.gov.

For additional information on how to prepare for and prevent wildfires, visit www.preventwildfirenc.org.

Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center volunteers are cooking away ahead of the Harkers Island museum’s annual Taste of Core Sound winter edition happening this weekend.

When doors open at 6 p.m. Friday, ticketholders can snack on oysters on the half shell, crab dip, fruit and cheese before the meal is served at 7 p.m. This year’s menu includes Hancock salad, stewed conchs, scallop fritters, crabmeat casserole, garlic shrimp and rice, stewed redheads and rutabaga, chicken and pastry, winter collards, sweet potatoes, squash casserole and light rolls.

Guest speaker, Beaufort native Geoffrey Adair, a retired District Attorney Craven County and historian, will take the podium around 8 p.m., while a dessert of homemade cakes is served.

“Adair, who was born and raised in Beaufort, vividly remembers the smell of Menhaden steamers moored at Beaufort’s docks, the cool air of the season’s first mullet shift and the simple pleasure of swimming across ‘the cut’ on a hot summer’s day,” organizers said.

There will be a live auction of Core Sound decoys at the close of the program.

Tickets are $100 per person for museum members and $125 for nonmembers. Ticket includes annual membership. Purchase tickets through the museum’s website.

Dare County students have an opportunity to share their insights on America’s 250th anniversary and the county’s role in the nation’s history through two programs by the Dare A250 Committee.

Dare A250 is the county’s celebration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, part of the statewide America 250 NC coordinated by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Students in third through 12th grade are encouraged to enter the committee’s essay contest and student art exhibit, both “designed to celebrate local history, highlight student talent and support innovative learning in the lead-up to the Dare A250 Faire” on April 18.

Essays may focus on the themes of freedom, community, innovation, and the diverse narratives that define American history, organizers said.

The top three winners in each grade group will receive a financial award. Winners will be recognized during the Dare County A250 Faire. Submit essays using the online form by March 15.

The A250 Student Art Showcase will be on display during the Dare County A250 Faire, when winners will be announced.

The art contest “encourages young artists to explore what America means to them—its history, its people, its challenges, and its hopes for the next 250 years,” organizers said.

Submissions must be entered by March 27. Use the online form.

Get a peek of the underwater world of maritime archaeology at 4 p.m. Wednesday with the Coastal Studies Institute on the East Carolina University on its Outer Banks Campus.

The program, “Maritime Mysteries,” at the facility in Wanchese is an opportunity to learn about North Carolina’s maritime history and how its studied.

The interactive lesson is for families with children 7 and older.

The session is open to the public with limited availability, on a first-come, first-serve basis, at $10 per person.

Contact Lauren Kerlin at kerlinl22@ecu.edu or 252-475-5451 with questions or for more information.