Emma Gwyn, an intern with The Nature Conservancy in Wilmington has created an interactive online StoryMap that illustrates how a wildfire earlier this year has already benefited the Green Swamp Nature Preserve.
News & Features
Demolition of two houses begins on Hatteras Island beach
National Park Service officials were on hand Wednesday to oversee commencement of a contractor’s work to raze two houses that erosion had long left precariously perched on the public beach.
State on ‘aggressive’ timeline to meet PFAS water standards
North Carolina environmental regulators are expediting a plan to meet proposed federal limits on PFAS in drinking water and reduce related costs to consumers by addressing upstream discharges.
Outer Banks tourism rebounded after COVID, now slowing
Presentations during the recent Outer Banks Visitors Bureau tourism summit featured an economy outperforming some state and national trends but also showing signs of cooling.
Topsail Beach officials demand conservation guarantee
Some town commissioners suggested Tuesday that Todd and Laura Olson’s rezoning request would not stand a chance if the couple did not agree in writing to place about 80% of the land under permanent conservation.
Navy base’s wretched reminders not just petroleum in soils
Recently exposed petroleum contamination at the old site of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, where the Navy and later the Coast Guard formerly operated, is but one nasty aspect of the abandoned installations’ environmental legacy.
‘Catastrophic crisis’: Imported shrimp flood US market
Shrimp imports are overwhelming domestic shrimp producers and driving prices for locally sourced shrimp to record lows, prompting demands that the federal government declare a fishery resource disaster.
New state funding may ease DEQ staff vacancies challenges
The recently approved budget includes new raises for North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality staff as well as fee increases for agency permits.
First Lady Cooper plants tree at park to hail native plants
North Carolina First Lady Kristin Cooper and other state officials visited Jockey’s Ridge State Park last week to plant a persimmon tree and celebrate plant species native to the region.
UNCW ramps up program to nurture coast’s blue economy
The University of North Carolina Wilmington’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship offers a mentor program with140 volunteers who can share their experiences in coastal business startups.
Navy lab funds Durham firm’s airborne power generator
Windlift has a five-year, $30 million contract with the Naval Research Laboratory to develop its autonomous tethered Navy and Marine Corps operations.
Park Service taps nonprofit fund to buy 2 Rodanthe houses
Details emerged last week on a pilot program in which the Cape Hatteras National Seashore purchased two threatened oceanfront houses in Rodanthe, but challenges remain.
Utility chief meets with science board on PFAS request
The Cape Fear Public Utility Authority executive director met this week with state science advisers to discuss adding a persistent compound to the state’s priority per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances list.
Nonnative apple snails, zebra mussels found in NC waters
A type of snail harmful to native habitat, can make people sick and is outlawed in North Carolina is the second confirmed aquatic invasive species in the state in less than a month.
Plans in motion to rid public lands of single-use plastics
The Department of Interior — including national parks — must phase out single-use plastic products within the decade, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland announced Thursday, but advocates remain worried.
National Park Service plans unclear as shutdown looms
Update Oct. 2: The U.S. House and Senate have approved a continuing resolution that funds federal government operations through Nov. 17, putting a hold on potential closure of the three national parks located on the Outer Banks.
