Though it’s tempting to plant a rainbow of non-native plants, consider what introducing a new species will do to your garden.
Spotlight
Registration open for March 25-27 aquaculture conference
The 2026 North Carolina Aquaculture Development Conference is scheduled for March 25-27 in Morehead City.
Restoration plan for lower New River geared to advance
As work on restoring the upper reaches of the exclusively Onslow County river is on track for completion next year, Coastal Carolina Riverwatch is finalizing the Lower New River Watershed Restoration Plan, which looks toward areas where saltwater creeks drain into shellfish waters.
Beaufort Maritime Museum reopens after yearlong closure
While the museum was closed to the public, staff revamped the inside and added new exhibits that highlight the state’s role in the Revolutionary War and recreation on the coast.
EPA eliminates emission standards for new vehicles, motors
President Donald Trump and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced Feb. 12 that the administration was rescinding its own endangerment finding that set the legal limits on the amount of pollutants a vehicle can emit.
Enslaved in Camden County, Moses Grandy knew its cruelty
A highway marker erected last fall honors Moses Grandy of Camden County, whose life story helped elevate understanding of the institution’s brutality and increase calls for its abolition.
NC Justices hear case on Currituck occupancy tax spending
North Carolina Supreme Court justices heard arguments in the long-running legal battle between Currituck County and the Corolla Civic Association over how the county spends occupancy tax money.
Amid record growth, groups protect tracts from development
Population growth on the North Carolina coast has ramped up pressure on conservation groups to acquire and set aside land, such as the more than 2,000 acres in coastal counties recently protected from development, areas with natural landscape features that reduce flood risk, improve water quality and provide vital habitat.
With court relief, work resumes on Virginia offshore wind
Dominion Energy’s 2.6-gigawatt Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project, which was ordered by the Trump administration to stop work in December, is now on track for completion by early next year — but at a considerably higher cost.
Judge upholds that DEQ can set wastewater permit limits
A Wake County Superior Court decision upholds that N.C. Department of Environmental Quality has the authority to set limits of 1,4-dioxane discharges from public wastewater utilities.
Ocean Isle seeks to modify permit, nourish beach at east inlet
Officials in Ocean Isle Beach seek federal approval to have up to 70,000 cubic yards of sand placed east of the Brunswick County town’s terminal groin where erosion gnaws at the shoreline in front of a luxury neighborhood.
WRC proposes temporary spotted seatrout season closure
Public comments on the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s proposed temporary rule to close recreational spotted seatrout harvesting in inland and joint fishing waters April 6 – June 30 will be accepted through March 13.
Officials break ground on ‘much-needed’ Carteret boat launch
Rep. Celeste C. Cairns, Carteret County commissioners and others staged a ceremonial groundbreaking Friday for a new boat launch facility on Bogue Sound in the western part of the county.
Vote to name new otter pups at NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher
The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is getting out the vote on names for three otter pups born in December.
Causey urges council to help Outer Banks as more homes fall
“There’s some angry people out there,” Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey told members of the Council of State Tuesday, referring to the four houses that fell into the ocean last weekend, a total of 31 homes since 2020, and calls to end the ban on beach hardening.
Buxton beach nourishment focus of community meeting
Dare County officials will be joined by representatives from the National Park Service – Outer Banks Group at a public meeting to provide general information about Buxton’s beach nourishment project scheduled for this year.
