The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service ruled last month that the Venus flytrap “is not facing an imminent threat of extinction now or in the foreseeable future,” but the agency underestimated the increasing risks.
commentary
Coastal crossroads: NC’s growing risk of Maui-like wildfires
Coastal communities face a looming threat as wildfires stoked by the forces of climate change make effective land management, preparedness and response more important than ever.
Ode to the Salt Marsh: Paddling the waters less traveled
Photojournalist Mark Courtney shares his images, observations and experiences from 25 years of paddling the salt marshes near Wilmington.
A local call to save seagrass on World Oceans Day
World Oceans Day is a time to consider the threatened underwater meadows that are home to important marine species and the foundation of the coastal economy, writes Ryan Speckman, co-owner and co-founder of Locals Seafood in Raleigh.
‘A strange and beautiful place’: My portable paradise
The paddle from downtown Beaufort to the Rachel Carson Reserve offers “tranquility like no other” for guest columnist and N.C. Coastal Reserve Communications Specialist Jillian Daly.
Another year of reporting coastal news that matters
From the editor: Our work in 2022 and promise for the New Year.
NC’s watery world a mostly unwritten chapter of history
Marine geologist Dr. Stan Riggs, who recently received the North Carolina Award, the state’s highest civilian honor, writes that society must adopt a more humble approach to live with changing coastal dynamics.
September a good time to develop improved fish intuition
The sights, smells and other signals are there, but some folks just seem to have an innate sense for catching fish.
Pro tips: How to catch everyone’s favorite bottom dweller
Keep a sharp eye because you may not see them below, but there’s a certain fish that when hooked, despite its lowly status, is likely to make everyone happy.
Bipartisan bill would protect birds, beach communities
The Shoreline Health Oversight, Restoration, Resilience, and Enhancement Act would preserve coastal habitat while providing affordable, alternative sand sources used for beach nourishment projects, writes guest columnist Andrew Hutson of Audubon North Carolina
NC holds tools for clean economy with resulting benefits
The Environmental Defense Fund’s Michelle Allen writes that solutions are available for the transportation and power sectors to help North Carolina meet its climate goals, bolster the economy and reduce air pollution.
On current trajectory, NC won’t meet climate goals
Second in a commentary series by Michelle Allen of the nonprofit Environmental Defense Fund: The state, despite its leadership on climate policy, is on track to fall short of power sector carbon-reduction targets.
Order sets vital climate, equity goals; how will NC respond?
Guest columnist Michelle Allen with the nonprofit Environmental Defense Fund writes that Gov. Roy Cooper’s Jan. 7 executive order sends an important signal on addressing climate change and creating a more equitable future, but swift action is needed.
Oyster awareness: Shellfish benefit environment, economy
Guest commentary: North Carolina’s collaborative shellfish strategy includes public education efforts showcasing how oysters can be a catalyst for a resilient future, where people and ecosystems thrive.
January cleanup: In with new gear, reviving the old
Longtime fishing guide Capt. Gordon Churchill talks readers through readying old gear before heading out for the first trip of the year.
Simple messages: North Carolina Coastal Federation at 40
Guest columnist John Runkle, one of the North Carolina Coastal Federation’s founding board members, writes that the nearly 40-year-old nonprofit’s mission has been guided by clear messaging, namely, “No wetlands, no seafood.”