A sprawling, “rare, old-growth forest” on the banks of the Northeast Cape Fear River in New Hanover County that’s a key part of the river floodplain is targeted for a massive 4,000-home golf course/equestrian development with few options for opponents to stop it.
New Hanover County
Cape Fear museum to host American Revolution exhibit
On display from Dec. 11-29, “The American Revolution Experience” includes display panels and interactive digital kiosks that rely on “storytelling, illustration, technology and primary accounts to connect modern audiences with the people and places that shaped the birth of our nation,” organizers said.
Groups partner to organize Wilmington watershed cleanup
Cape Fear River Watch is partnering with Keep New Hanover Beautiful for its Second Saturday Cleanup, which will take place from 9-11 a.m. Nov. 9 in the Smith Creek Watershed at the intersection of Princess Place Drive and Evans Street in Wilmington.
State Artificial Reef Program looking for advisers, input
Regional advisers and public feedback are needed to recommend materials and reef sites for enhancements in five areas over five years.
Federal funding available for damage from historic rainfall
“This storm brought historic rainfall and severe flooding to several areas of our state causing significant damage,” Gov. Roy Cooper said over the weekend about the September storm.
Fort Fisher aquarium gets award for otter marketing campaign
North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher was recognized for its “Whole Lotta Otta” marketing campaign by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Public meeting announced for Pages Creek watershed plan
Pages Creek watershed residents are invited to hear updates on the Pages Creek Watershed Protection Plan later this month.
NC Oyster Month makes October a shucking good time
This is the fourth year the state has celebrated the ecologically and economically important mollusks.
Cape Fear bridge replacement comment period ends Oct. 25
State transportation officials are accepting public comment and have scheduled meetings Oct. 8 and Oct. 9 about the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge replacement project and plans to widen South Front Street.
Storm thrashes NC coast: historic rainfall, crumpled roads
Brunswick and New Hanover counties each saw more than 15 inches of rainfall over the past two days as the storm that formed off the East Coast came ashore near Myrtle Beach.
Observe the Moon Night Saturday at Cape Fear Museum
For all ages, International Observe the Moon Night is being offered at no charge from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the museum in Wilmington.
Blaze the plover returns from Illinois after rearing chicks
Blaze, a piping plover shown here on the beach in Waukegan, Illinois, has returned for the second consecutive year to winter at Masonboro Inlet in New Hanover County. The small, but determined piping plover was abandoned before she hatched and became among the first captive-reared chicks to be released from the University of Michigan Biological Station in 2023. Within about two months of her release into the wild, Blaze migrated south to spend the winter at Masonboro Inlet, according to Audubon North Carolina. Audubon officials spotted Blaze Aug. 15 at the inlet, returning from Waukegan, where she successfully raised three chicks. Photo courtesy of the Lake County (Illinois) Audubon Society.
Program helps commercial property owners reduce runoff
Wilmington’s green infrastructure cost-share rebate program is making thousands of dollars in rebates available to businesses and large-scale property owners who want to help reduce polluted stormwater runoff reaching two city watersheds.
Coastal counties see continued strength in visitor spending
Following a record-breaking increase of 15% in 2022, spending statewide rose 6.9% to $35.6 billion in 2023, setting another record year in visitor spending, according to data the North Carolina Department of Commerce released Tuesday.
State Ports Authority year-end results ‘mixed, yet balanced’
The authority said strong cash flow from operations and state appropriations allowed it to pour $80 million into its Wilmington and Morehead City seaports and its inland facility in Charlotte.
New Hanover County eyes riverside conservation, cleanup
The board of commissioners agreed to take time to draft changes to the county’s 2016 comprehensive land use plan to create a new conservation designation for the riverfront site across from downtown Wilmington
