Articles

Adopt a sea turtle at the Karen Beasley Turtle Hospital

With a nod to George Clooney, Oceans 11 is the name of my adopted sea turtle at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. She is a juvenile Loggerhead, weighing over 100 pounds, a resident at the hospital since November 2009 – the longest tenure of any patient there.

Oceans 11 was found in a pound net with over half of her carapace (top shell) destroyed. Every breath she took caused her shattered shell to be drawn into her body cavity. She was immediately taken to NC State University for surgery, emerging two hours later with 11 surgical plates patching her shell back together.

Over the next year, staff at the hospital carefully cleaned her wounds and nursed her back to a stable condition, gradually removing her screws and plates as the wounds healed. By June 2011, Oceans 11 was plate-free, but still recovering. Now, two and a half years since she was admitted, Oceans 11 is back in surgery this week. We are praying she’ll come out fine, given the long road she has traveled despite such devastating wounds.

The Sea Turtle Hospital – as it’s popularly known – is located in the shadow of the water tower on south Topsail Island. Established by Jean Beasley and dedicated to her daughter Karen’s memory, the hospital is committed to the protection of sea turtle nests and the rescue and rehabilitation of injured turtles. The center also plays an important role in educating the public about the plight of turtles, and provides a wonderful learning site for student interns and volunteers who are interested in wildlife conservation.

The center’s volunteers walk the beaches of Topsail every day from May til August to watch for new turtle nests and predator threats. This year, 55 nests have been located so far. A small building currently, the hospital has raised over $1 million to build a new facility on the mainland, to include an observation deck and much larger space for the patients. Construction is expected to be completed next year.

Current patients include Loggerheads, Green and Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles. Not all the patients survive their traumas, but the ones who do give the staff good reason to come back each day. In June, they released 12 turtles – an exciting time for the staff as well as the hundreds of visitors cheering on the turtles as they swam back home. Over the past 14 years, the center has rehabilitated and released over 300 turtles back to the sea.

The hospital is open daily 2 – 4 PM, except for Wednesdays and Sundays, from June to August. Adopt your own turtle here and follow an intern’s blog – Brie – as she writes about her experiences each week. Expect a tear, but also perhaps a cheer as you read about her work with these beloved endangered animals.

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Recycle your scrap metal

Green Coast Recycling is running a FREE scrap metal drive on Tuesday, July 17th, with proceeds from their sales to go to the Cape Fear River Watch scholarship essay contest. They accept all types of metal items that will fit into a pickup truck, including bed frames, old bicycles, grills, small appliances and the like. Please no electronics.

You must call or email them to schedule your pickup by Monday, July 16 at 12 noon. Call to schedule: 910-471-7747 or email us at greencoastrecycling@yahoo.com Please place items at the curb and let them know what type of item you have and approximate weight.

GREEN COAST RECYCLING is locally owned and active in our community and environment. Please help us recycle more, protect our children's future, our coast, rivers and wildlife.

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Watch for sea turtle nests

If you happen upon a sea turtle nesting or making her way up the beach, stay clear. Areas that are roped off are probably nests, and they must be left undisturbed. You can report a nesting female to the NC Sea Turtle Project by calling 252.728.1528. Because the sea turtle is federally protected, any actions you take to threaten this animal could result in prosecution. More info here.

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Make Every Day Earth Day

     The old adage – to think globally and act locally – certainly applies to Earth Day activism. However, it’s a shame that we need a single-day focus to educate people about the issues and encourage responsible behavior.
     When one of my young children asked why we don’t celebrate “Children’s Day” like Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, I replied that’s because every day is children’s day. The same should apply to our glorious planet – what if we acted as though every day is Earth Day?
      I recently flew along the coast in a small plane up to Ocracoke Island, with breathtaking 2000 foot views of dunes, ocean, marsh and waterways. From that vantage point, it’s easy to see how insignificant we are as a human race, yet how significant our actions can be to this place we share with so many other species.
     Given that awareness, how can anyone act in a way that doesn’t respect our environs? Walk downtown, through our neighborhoods and at the beaches and you’ll see the cigarette butts, paper and plastic trash everywhere. We need to get mad about it and speak up when we see someone littering.
     Then we need to act. Join one of these clean-up efforts, or start your own where you live, work, walk and play. Involve your children, friends, co-workers or just go on your own. You’ll feel good about it and so will Mother Earth.

The Cape Fear Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation does regular beach sweeps. Volunteer and enjoy a day at the beach! The next one is Saturday April 21, from 9 AM to 12 noon,at Topsail Beach, Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach.
Adopt a Beach Access at Wrightsville Beach enables groups and individuals to adopt a cleanup spot for the in-season months.
The Cape Fear River Watch does cleanups on the river and watershed areas every 2nd Saturday. You get to ride in a canoe or kayak and have some fun while cleaning up trash.
SUP Cleanup was organized by our own Coastal Urge in 2009 to promote beach cleanups by standup paddleboarders, because they can go places others can’t. Join in on the Earth Day cleanup on Sunday, April 22, at Bald Head Island at 9:30 AM.
The NC Coastal Reserve regularly needs volunteers for cleanup efforts at their sites, including Masonboro Island, Zeke Island, Bird Island and Bald Head Woods. Go to the Masonboro Café May 21 at Surf House Café and be a part of FOR Masonboro.
NC Big Sweep takes place across the state in September and October, aimed at cleaning up our land and waterways.
Keep America Beautiful of New Hanover County offers help and supplies to any group interested in conducting a cleanup on their grounds between March and May.

These are just a few of the worthwhile efforts in our area. Let us know if you know of others and we’ll keep them updated. Email kass@capefearnative.com

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Volunteer at the Arboretum Ability Garden

The Ability Garden at the Arboretum is looking for a few good volunteers! The December Greenhouse sale was a successful fundraiser that raised $6,000, largely through the work of volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Dagmar Cooley, dagmarcooley@yahoo.com.

Upcoming events include:
March 28th – April 2nd: the Master Gardener Plant Sale
April 11th – April 15th: plant sale during the Azalea Festival Tour
June 2nd & 3rd: the Water Garden Tour.

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Keep our fish off drugs

Are the prescriptions you flush down the toilet ending up in our coastal waters? There is growing concern that flushing prescription drugs down the toilet may impact our coastal environment. The sewage treatment and septic systems that receive wastewater from homes are designed to remove bacteria and viruses, but not chemicals. Medicines – pain killers, antibiotics, birth control and mood stabilizers – that go down the drain are turning up in rivers, lakes, streams and wells across the country.

Researchers are still studying what effect this may have on environmental and human health, but evidence suggests it is not good for marine life. Some drugs can alter molting, growth, mating, reproduction and development of fish, shellfish and crustaceans. Drugs with hormones can alter sex organs so that they are malformed, exhibit both male and female reproductive organs, or produce more females than males. Antidepressants can deter growth and reproduction and affect fish behavior, resulting in fish that are lethargic and more vulnerable to predators. Scientists have documented negative effects on American oysters, grass shrimp, rainbow trout, small mouth bass and other species.

To raise public awareness and prevent this practice, the NC Division of Marine Fisheries will host an Operation Medicine Drop event in Wilmington and Morehead City, in partnership with N.C. Sea Grant. The events will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 22 at the following locations: N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries Headquarters, 3441 Arendell St., Morehead City and N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources Wilmington Regional Office, 127 Cardinal Dr., Wilmington

The public is invited to bring their unused or expired prescription and over-the-counter medications to these events and drop them off with qualified personnel who will ensure these drugs are safely incinerated. Law enforcement will be on hand to supervise the collection.

This method of disposal will keep these medications out of the hands of children, out of the hands of drug addicts and out of our coastal waters.

More info at "No Drugs Down the Drain."

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Prevent bird collisions with your windows

Birds cannot see glass; they see reflections of trees and shrubs in our windows and fly toward them. As a result of frenetic migration activity this time of year, bird collisions are likely to be higher.

According to FLAP (Fatal Light Awareness Program), up to 9 birds die per building in a year from collisions, up to 1 billion birds in the United States and Canada. Cities like Toronto are working with commercial building owners to reduce or turn off lights at night to help with reflection issues.

For homeowners, FLAP offers many ideas to help reduce the risk of bird collisions at your home:

1. Use patterned decals or window film to reduce the reflection.
2. Hang ribbons, string, beads or pine cones at your windows.
3. Move house plants further from the windows.
4. Move your bird feeders further from the windows.

Go here to learn more about how you can help prevent bird injuries in your own city. Watch the video to find out more.

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Help maintain school's rain garden

Join volunteers from Work on Wilmington to help maintain existing rain gardens and stormwater wetlands at Bradley Creek Elementary School, on Saturday, April 21, 8am - 12pm.

Volunteers will be weeding, pruning, planting and spreading loads of mulch in the rain gardens and stormwater wetlands at the school. All the project supplies and equipment will be provided. Snacks and refreshments will also be provided.

The event is open to the public and suitable for ages 8 and up, so come on out to help plant a rain garden or just to find out what you can do in your own back yard to protect your local creek. Pre-registration is required, contact ted @nccoast.org.

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Volunteer at Greenfield Lake and enjoy a free concert!

Cape Fear River Watch has been presented with an income earning opportunity for staffing concessions booths at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater and Legion Stadium events. Volunteers must attend a training session conducted by the City Parks & Recreation Department (dates TBA).

They need 10-12 people to participate at 3 or more shows throughout the season. CFRW earns a percentage of the concessions sales during the events. No experience or CFRW membership required. If you’d like to go see some shows/games for free while helping CFRW, please contact Brooke Baldridge at 910-254-1342 or bbb27604@yahoo.com.

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Join the Arboretum and get discounts at local retailers

When you join the Arboretum, you can get great deals for all your lawn and garden needs this spring. Local retailers who are “Supporters of the Arboretum” offer a 10% discount on their products and services to Arboretum members. If you are currently a member of the Arboretum, present your active Arboretum membership card at the time of purchase and you will receive your discount. If you would like to become a member of the Arboretum, stop by the Arboretum, pick up a membership form and join today.

Support these local retailers by purchasing the following lawn, garden and landscaping products and services at their places of business:

Akers Tree Movers 1426 Fork Drive Castle Hayne, NC 28429 (910)232-1700 Contact: Bill Akers. Supplying and installing large trees
Boone’s Landscaping 736 Grathwol Drive Wilmington, NC 28405 (910)452-9504 Contact: John Boone. Waterfalls, fountains, concrete overlays and synthetic rocks
Coastal Glass Tinting 4805 Wrightsville Avenue Wilmington, NC 28403 (910)392-6860 Contact: Jim Dean Glass. tinting for auto, home, boat and business
Connolly Tree Preservation 806 Cheryl Lane Wilmington, NC 28405 (910)791-8000 Contact: Greg Connolly. Arborist, trimming and pruning
Farmers Supply Company 2025 Oleander Drive Wilmington, NC 28403 (910)763-4664 Contact: Diane Boyd. Lawn and garden supplies, feeds and seeds and plants Note: Selected items
Five Oaks Nursery 2120 Old Winter Park Rd. Wilmington, NC 28405 (910)762-8637 Contact: Jennifer Lucas. Garden supplies, seeds, plants, trees, shrubs, tropicals, ornamental grasses, perennials and annuals
Island Florals 250 Racine Dr. #10 Wilmington, NC 28403 (910)392-6061 Contact: Roxanne Thompson. Tropicals, florist services and custom arrangements
Lloyds Nursery and Landscape 106 Oakridge Lane Wilmington, NC 28411 (910)686-4984 Contact: Lloyd Brinkley. Retail nursery, landscaping and construction
Marshall Gardens 1230 North Lake Park Blvd. Carolina Beach, NC 28428 (910)458-3292 Contact: Simeon Marshal. Landscape nursery plants and florist
Mike's Mulch & Stone 6512 Carolina Beach Road Wilmington, NC 28412 (910)793-9111 Mulch, stone, soil, pavers and other products
Mulch and More 39 Edgewood Lane Rt. 17 S. (Mile Marker 37) Winnabow, NC 28479 (910)253-7663 Contact: George Patterson. Mulch, pine straw, stone, sod, ponds, and water garden supplies
Natural Beauty Garden Spot 6080 Ocean Highway E. Rt. 17 South (Junction of Rt. 87 E.) Winnabow, NC 28479 (910)253-5777 Contact: Barbara Mercer. Annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs and pottery *Note: Plants only
Pierces Nursery and Landscaping 8062 Market Street Wilmington, NC 28411 (910)686-4555 Contact: Dennis Pierce. Annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs, landscaping and irrigation Potting Shed Gift Shop 6206 Oleander Drive Wilmington, NC 28403 (910)798-7660 Contact: Patty George. Gifts and garden supplies
Progressive Gardens 6005 Oleander Dr. Wilmington, NC 28403 (910)395-1156 Contact: Randy Shapiro. Hydroponic gardening and rain barrels. Eco-friendly products
Shelton Herb Farm 340 Goodman Road Winnabow, NC 28479 (910)253-5964 Contact: Meg Shelton. Herbs, annuals and perennials
Sophia V. West Florist Inc. Flowers of Distinction by Sophia 8086 Market St. Wilmington, NC 28411 (910)686-0496 Contact: Sophia V. West. Flowers except all wired items like Teleflora
Stone Garden 6955 Market Street Wilmington, NC 28411 (910)452-1619 Contact: Nina Brown. Mulch, pine straw and stone products
Super Sod and Palms 7340 Market Street Wilmington, NC 28411 (910)686-5296 Contact: Don Curtis. Sod, seed, palms, mulch, stone and pine straw
The Transplanted Garden 502 South 16th Street Wilmington, NC 28401 (910)763-7448 Contact: Tom Ericson. Perennials, annuals, tropicals, trees, shrubs and containers
Tinga Nursery, Inc. 2918 Castle Hayne Rd. Castle Hayne, NC 28429 (910)443-7461 Contact: Eelco Tinga. Ornamental plants and shrubs
Wild Bird & Garden Hanover Center 3501 Oleander Dr. Wilmington, NC 28403 (910)343-6001 Contact: Jill & Pete Peleuses. Bird houses, bird feeders, bird food and pictures of local birds

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Recycle your holiday lights!

Did you leave holiday lights outside on your house or railing during the recent storm? If they died, as mine did, there's an alternative for you to recycle them.

HolidayLEDs.com is offering to recycle your lights and send you a coupon good for 25% off anything on their website. All coupons may only be redeemed once on a single order and may not be used with with any other offer, discount or coupon.

Here's the information from their website:

All lights sent for recycling should be sent to: HolidayLEDs.com Recycling Program C/O Classic Turning, Inc. 4905 James McDivitt Street Jackson, MI 49201-8958

Lights sent to any other address may not be received or recycled. You can send your lights via any shipping method you like. However, there is no reason to send them express. We recommend that you send them by the least expensive method available.

Once you have packed up and shipped us your lights please complete our Christmas light recycling form and we will email you your coupon as soon as we confirm shipment.

Please DO NOT: 1. Include any packing material or anything other than the lights themselves 2. Send the lights in outer packaging such as retail boxes 3. Include any apparatus used to wind up or store the lights 4. Use any size box that is larger than what is needed to accommodate the lights. 5. Put your light sets in plastic bags or any other interior packaging.

Please DO: 1. Use cardboard boxes or other packaging that can easily be recycled. 2. Coordinate with your friends, neighbors, co-works, social groups, church groups, or other organizations when possible to collect lights and send in one bulk shipment (this reduces shipping costs for everyone and reduces environmental impact of shipping.) 3. Compact your light sets into the smallest space possible.

When we receive your lights for recycling we will remove them from the package and recycle the box. The lights will be processed and any material that cannot be recycled (i.e. loose bulbs)is discarded. Once we have collected a substantial number of sets we take them to a 3rd party recycling facility located in Jackson, MI. The recycling company puts the lights through a commercial shredder, which chops the lights up into little pieces. The pieces are then further processed and sorted into the various components that make up the lights (pvc, glass, copper.) The materials are separated and transported to a region center for further processing. In some cases, the pvc cannot be recycled. Its better than throwing them in the trash and if you participate we will email you a coupon for 25% off anything on our site.

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Recycle your tree

Recycle your Christmas tree even if you live outside the city.

New Hanover County residents have three locations to choose from:
*Myrtle Grove Middle School at 901 Piner Road
*beside the baseball fields at Ogden Park
*the New Hanover County Landfill located at 5210 U.S. Highway 421 North

You can bring them anytime from December 26 through January 31. Don't forget to remove all lights and decorations!

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Tree huggers, step it up!

The Nature Conservancy offers several ways to give back to Mother Earth. For someone passionate about the rainforest, plant a few trees in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest. For the birder in your family, create a habitat for hummingbirds. For the SCUBA diver, help protect coral reefs in the Bahamas, or select from their complete gift guide.

And locally, just to name a few, consider donating to the Cape Fear River Watch, the North Carolina Coastal Federation, Karen Beasley's Sea Turtle Hospital or Audubon's Pennies for the Planet program.

There are many more organizations working hard to conserve our natural resources. They need our help. Maybe more than the big box stores...

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Support your planet with Green Gift Monday

Green Gift Monday is the Nature Conservancy’s special program that encourages good deeds for your friends, family and the environment throughout the holiday season. It coincides with Cyber Monday, November 28, the biggest online shopping day of the year.

Last year, Green Gift Monday was a huge success with 65+ partners showcasing their support. This year will be bigger. Check out the list of partners already supporting this year’s efforts.

Sign the pledge and find a gift idea that is green - make something, give an experience, donate to a cause or purchase an eco-friendly product.

Here's a list of ideas.

See how people filled out the question on Facebook: "I will make the holidays green for my family by ____________ .

Join in and make your holiday celebration one of support for our planet.

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Give the gift of Coastwatch and get one free!

This holiday season, consider sharing Coastwatch with friends and family. For a limited time, North Carolina Sea Grant has a 2-for-1 holiday offer. For each 1-year subscription that you purchase at the regular price of $15, give another 1-year subscription for free ― a savings of $15.

But you'll have to hurry! This offer is good only through Dec. 31. No special order form is required. Just write the names and addresses on a sheet of paper, mail it with your check, and we'll take care of the rest. Or feel free to use the handy order form on our website.

In the pages of our award-winning magazine, you'll travel the North Carolina coast and meet its people, learn its traditions and history, appreciate its wealth of natural resources, and understand the issues that shape its future. Don't miss this offer! Subscribe today, and you and your friends can visit the North Carolina coast throughout the year.

Make your check payable to Coastwatch and mail to: Coastwatch, North Carolina Sea Grant, North Carolina State University, Box 8605, Raleigh, NC 27695-8605. To keep up with North Carolina coastal topics between Coastwatch issues, please visit us on the Web or find us on Facebook.

Best wishes for 2012 from North Carolina Sea Grant!

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Shop and help Cape Fear River Watch

Now, through January 31, when you shop for gifts at our store at 114 Princess Street, you'll get a 5% discount and we will match that 5% with a donation to Cape Fear River Watch. Just print this coupon and bring it in. Happy holidays!

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Tell the NCDOT what you think

The NC Maritime Strategy Study is evaluating the future of NC ports, primarily the construction of a new mega-port in the Southport area. The State needs to hear from citizens who understand that the river is a resource that we can't afford to destroy. Your voice is needed at public hearing to be held at the Coastline Convention Center on October 4th.

The agenda is as follows:

From 4:00-6:00 NCDOT staff and consultants working on this study will be on hand to answer questions, provide information and hear your thoughts. There will be multiple stations displaying the information gathered thus far.

From 6:00pm–8:00pm: Public Comment Period: After a short presentation, participants may stand and make brief verbal comments.

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NC Big Sweep Cleanup wants you!

Big Sweep wants 25,000 volunteers on its 25th anniversary on Saturday, Oct. 1.

The annual statewide cleanup usually has about 18,000 volunteers, but Big Sweep wants even more volunteers to make a greater impact on improving our environment.

“Imagine what we could accomplish if we had 25,000 volunteers on our 25th annual cleanup!” said Judy Bolin, N.C. Big Sweep president. “There is still a lot of litter out there, and 25,000 volunteers could really make a huge difference.”

These cleanups are important, because litter can last hundreds of years in our environment. Before it decomposes, litter can hurt our economy when businesses refuse to locate to an area if it is too trashy. Tourists won’t linger in trashy areas, they won’t spend money, and they won’t return with their friends. Litter is a human health hazard, when it contaminates our water supply as it decomposes. It’s also deadly to wildlife that eat or become entangled in litter, and once entangled, wildlife often attract other wildlife to the same hazard.

“Volunteers have the power to change our environment.,” Bolin said. “We need everyone to be amazing and talk to their friends and family about helping out with the cleanups. Let’s all get out and really transform North Carolina back to the beautiful, pristine state it used to be!”

To get involved, volunteers can visit www.ncbigsweep.org or call the volunteer hotline at 1-800-27-sweep.

Cleanups are organized at the county level. The official statewide date for the 2011 Big Sweep is Oct. 1, but local cleanups can be scheduled on other days as well. Bolin said that the goal is to get the litter out of the environment, and they don’t care when it is done. New Hanover County is scheduled for September 24.

The annual statewide Big Sweep could be a transforming experience not only for the state but also for everyone involved, because North Carolina will be transformed into a cleaner state, and volunteers might be transformed into educators for a litter-free environment. Bolin said that peer pressure is one of the best ways to teach others not to litter.

The Big Sweep fall cleanup is part of the International Coastal Cleanup, a global effort to rid our environment of debris. Approximately 100 countries all around the world participate in the ICC. All 100 counties in North Carolina are expected to participate in the Big Sweep component of the ICC.

N.C. Big Sweep, an award-winning 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is a litter-free environment, was founded in 1987 as Beach Sweep, a coastal cleanup with 1,000 volunteers. That cleanup expanded inland and was renamed in 1989 to become North Carolina Big Sweep, the nation’s first statewide waterway cleanup. Its mission expanded from litter-free waters to a litter-free environment in 2002.

During its 24-year history, more than 300,000 Big Sweep volunteers have retrieved over 10 million pounds of debris—which is the visual equivalent of more than 25,000 football fields five feet deep in debris. N.C. Big Sweep’s board of directors is comprised of individuals who represent several North Carolina businesses, other nonprofit organizations and governmental agencies.

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Serve on a Marine Fisheries Committee

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission is looking for commercial and recreational fishermen, scientists and others to advise them on various fisheries issues. Four regional advisory committees – Northeast, Central, Southeast and Inland – and four standing advisory committees – Crustacean, Shellfish, Finfish, and Habitat and Water Quality – review matters referred to them by the commission, such as draft fishery management plans, and then recommend management strategies.

Committees may also bring issues pertaining to their region or subject matter to the commission’s attention. Individuals interested in serving as advisers should be willing to attend meetings at least once every two months and actively participate in the committee process. Advisers are eligible to be reimbursed for travel and other expenses incurred in relation to their official duties.

The Marine Fisheries Commission chairman appoints members for three-year terms. Several terms will expire in January. Adviser applications are available online at http://www.ncfisheries.net/mfc/advisorforms.html, at Division of Marine Fisheries’ offices or by calling (252) 808-8022 or (800) 682-2632.

Applications should be returned by Nov. 1 to the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, NC 28557, Attention: Lauren Morris.

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Adopt a boating access area

Want to help keep boat ramps free of trash?

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is partnering with the North Carolina Public Access Foundation (NCPAF) on a program that encourages groups, businesses, organizations and individuals to “adopt” Boating Access Areas to keep them clean and litter free.

Several groups, including the East Carolina University Bass Fishing Team and the UNC Charlotte Bass Rats fishing club, have adopted access areas through the “Adopt-a- Boat-Ramp” initiative and have held several litter clean-ups. The Bass Rats also helped build handicapped access at the South Point Boating Access on Lake Wylie.

“Any time a citizen cleans up a ramp, it frees time and money that could be better used to expand parking areas and build more ramps,” said Mike Marsh, chairman of the N.C. Public Access Foundation. “Having a college fishing club adopt a boat ramp gets young people involved with public access needs, but any individual or organization can adopt a ramp.”

The NCPAF has also donated $500 to the construction of the Hampstead Boating Access Area in Pender County. Construction is set to begin this fall, and the site is slated to open in spring 2012.

“The Hampstead Boating Access Area is located in an area that has experienced a severe need for free public access to the Intracoastal Waterway and adjoining backwaters for many years,” Marsh said. “This particular area of the coast has the most crowded boat ramps in the state and, therefore, has the greatest need for new ramps and expanded parking at existing ramps.”

To learn more about adopting a ramp, call Justin Marsh at 910-524-4713 or visit the foundation’s website at www.ncpaf.com.

For more information on boating in North Carolina, including an interactive map of more than 200 free, 24-hour boating access areas, go to Boating Mas/Locations.

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Donate your used cartridges and cell phones

Do you wonder what to do with your old printer cartridges-does your workplace throw away dozens of them each month? Wondering what to do with your old cell phone? CFRW can recycle them as a fundraiser through Funding Factory. Just drop them by their office anytime and they'll handle the rest. CFRW is in need of a few things and can provide you with a donation receipt for tax purposes. They also have a few projects around the office-if you are handy and would like to help let them know. • Gently used canoes or kayaks • Canoe or kayak paddles • Life jackets that are in good shape • Paper towels, biodegradable utensils, paper plates, coffee mugs, ground coffee (for 1st Saturday Seminars) • Waders or rubber boots • Office supplies • A small (8-15 hp) outboard motor in good working order Bring in those print cartridges and old cell phones-we'll recycle them and make a few bucks for the cause.

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Share the beach, be a good egg

Recently,174 beachgoers at Wrightsville Beach signed a pledge to “Be a good egg” and share the beach with coastal birds like Least Terns and Black Skimmers that nest at North Carolina’s coast during the peak tourist season. On Sunday, June 26, Audubon North Carolina kicked off the Good Egg/Share the Beach initiative, which is aimed at raising awareness about the migratory waterbirds that travel to North Carolina’s beaches every spring and summer to nest and raise their young.

More than a dozen Audubon staff and volunteers talked to beachgoers at Wrightsville Beach, giving them close-up looks at newly hatched birds through spotting scopes, asking them to sign a pledge form, and giving them “Good Egg” magnets and bags in exchange. The team will also talk to beachgoers at the south end of Wrightsville Beach on Saturday and Sunday, July 2nd and 3rd.

Anyone can take the pledge online at goodegg.org - a new website featuring images and information about beach-nesting birds.

From April through August, thousands of waterbirds travel to North Carolina’s beaches to lay their eggs (nest) on the bare sand at popular vacation spots such as Wrightsville Beach and Lea-Hutaff Island in southeastern North Carolina. These scrappy survivors must battle the elements to protect their eggs and chicks. The birds face many threats, including severe weather, predators, and human disturbance. When a person or dog enters a nesting area adult birds become alarmed and fly off their nests, exposing their chicks and eggs to predators and extreme temperatures.

During bird-nesting season, Audubon biologists mark off nesting areas at the north and south ends of Wrightsville Beach and other Audubon-managed sites with ropes and signs to discourage people from entering the areas. The roped-off sites are temporary and are typically located in dune areas away from the beachfront.

“We believe that people who walk into bird-nesting areas at the beach do not intend to harm the birds,” said Ida Phillips, Communications Director at Audubon North Carolina. “Over the years, our informal conversations with beachgoers made us realize that many people are simply unaware that some bird species nest on the beach. As well, people do not realize that if they walk into a nesting area or allow a dog into the area it can have a devastating impact on eggs and baby birds. Our hope is that the Good Egg campaign will raise awareness of these incredible bird species that travel long distances to raise their young on our beaches. We can all give them a fighting chance by respecting their nesting areas and enjoying the birds from a distance.”

In November 2009, Audubon North Carolina hired a marketing firm to conduct a random survey of 600 residents of Pender, New Hanover, and Brunswick counties to assess their awareness and attitudes about beach-nesting birds and conservation. Only 44% of those surveyed knew that some birds nest in the sand on the beach while 46% of respondents said that birds nest in trees or away from the beach.

Wrightsville Beach is a hotspot for beach-nesting birds, including Black Skimmers, Least Terns, and American Oystercatchers. Approximately 350 pairs of Least Terns, 120 pairs of Black Skimmers, and several American Oystercatchers are currently nesting at the beach. These Least Terns account for approximately 10% of the North Carolina breeding population of Least Terns and are significant contributors to the health of the species.

Audubon manages Mason Inlet Waterbird Management Area on the north end of Wrightsville Beach through a cooperative agreement with New Hanover County and the Town of Wrightsville Beach. Audubon staff offers free field trips to this site on the N.C. Birding Trail every Friday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Audubon North Carolina also monitors bird-nesting activity at the south end of the island through a partnership with the Town of Wrightsville Beach.

Audubon North Carolina’s coastal sanctuaries link 19 islands that provide refuge for more than a third of the state’s nesting waterbirds, some 23,000 pairs of breeding birds.

Audubon North Carolina is grateful to Audubon/Toyota’s TogetherGreen Innovation Grants program for funding the Share the Beach/Be a Good Egg project, and thanks International Paper Foundation for its support of coastal education. Audubon North Carolina also thanks the Town of Wrightsville Beach and New Hanover County for their support.

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Volunteer at Sneads Ferry Shrimp Festival

Come on out to Sneads Ferry for the Shrimp Festival, August 13 - 14 from 11 AM - 5 PM. Enjoy some shrimp and help spread the word about the work of the NC Coastal Federation.

They need volunteers to help staff their educational display and engage festival goers in their mission. Please consider signing up for a shift on Saturday or Sunday.

It will be a fun festival, so bring a friend, coworker or your family and help spread the word about NCCF.

Please contact Ted Wilgis at tedw@nccf.org for more information and to sign up for a shift.

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Turn off your sprinklers

Brunswick County's utilities department has declared a water conservation alert, asking people to do the following:

* Reduce the frequency of irrigation.
* Use heavy-water using appliances and irrigate during non-peak hours, from 9 AM to 4 PM and from 6 PM to 5 AM.
* Check for leaks in toilets and faucets and fix them.
* Don't wash driveways, sidewalks or patios.

The area is considered to be in a severe drought, receiving only 5 inches of rain over the last four months, versus an average of 11.72 inches.

Officials hope cooperating citizens will prevent them from having to issue mandatory water conservation measures.

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Shrimp Fest needs volunteers

The Cape Fear Shrimp Fest, in its fourth year, needs people to help serve food, sell tickets and set up and clean up. A fun way to spend the day.

It's 11 AM - 3 PM on Saturday, June 25 at Cape Fear Presbyterian Church. Some proceeds will benefit the Black Mountain Home for Children. Contact Neal Richardson at 538-4295 or email capefearshrimpfest@gmail.com.

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Celebrate World Ocean Day

This annual holiday is Wednesday June 8 and the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher plans to celebrate with some special programs, including a beach sweep for Saturday, June 4. Participants should plan to meet Aquarium staff at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk at 8:00 AM and wear sunscreen, gloves, and closed-toe shoes.

The beach sweep will be followed by an interactive Geodome presentation for eighth grade students in the Aquarium’s auditorium at 1:45 PM. Aquarium guests can view a special “Plastic Reduction” display with informative ways to reduce the use of plastic in our lives. Guests may also explore carts with various themes set up around the Aquarium, including sea turtles, whales and dolphins, shells, and marine debris.

The Nature Swap will be set up from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM where visitors can trade their own discoveries for other treasures found in nature such as shells, shark teeth, snake skins, or fossils.

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Get a Southeast Trail Guide

When you support the Rails to Trails Conservancy with a donation of $35 or more, you'll get your choice of any of their six guidebooks, as long as supplies last. Each of the six guidebooks has incredible maps, directions, photos and descriptions of all the region's rail-trails. Plus, this year they're releasing a brand-new and long-awaited Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey guidebook.

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is working to convert abandoned railroad tracks to cross-country trails. Donations help them continue this work to improve your trail experience and grow their free trail-finder website, TrailLink.com. TrailLink.com has become the nation’s premier online trails resource. The site includes incredible descriptions, maps, user reviews and photos for more than 30,000 miles of trail across the country. They have recently launched new features to the site, including allowing users to submit new trails or edit existing descriptions.

The response has been overwhelming, and they need to put additional resources behind TrailLink.com to keep up with the number of new trails added every day, and to make sure every trail profile is as comprehensive and accurate as possible. They are also working to improve user experience and develop new technology for the site, including a mobile version of TrailLink.com.

Please support this effort and get your guidebook today!

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Volunteer on Masonboro Island

Come learn about the NC Coastal Reserve's research and monitoring efforts of marsh and shorebirds on Masonboro Island, and discover how you can volunteer to help monitor the wildlife on the island. The session is Thursday, May 5, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Center for Marine Science at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, 5600 Marvin Moss Lane.

More information is available by contacting Hope Sutton, stewardship coordinator for the N.C. Coastal Reserve, at 962-2998.

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Volunteer for Pleasure Island Sea Turtle Project

You can volunteer to help The Pleasure Island Sea Turtle Project by coming to their orientation meeting on Tuesday, April 12.

It is at 6:30 p.m. at the Federal Point Historic Preservation Society, 1121-A N. Lake Park Blvd.

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Plant a rain garden

Join volunteers from Work on Wilmington on Saturday, April 16, 8 AM - 12 PM to help create a new rain garden and maintain existing stormwater wetlands at Bradley Creek Elementary School (6211 Greenville Loop Rd). Volunteers will be installing a variety of native plants, spreading mulch and laying sod in the new rain garden at the school. All the project supplies and equipment will be provided. Pre-registration is required - tedw@nccf.org.

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Donate your old fishing rods

Rick Wilkinson, a surf-fishing instructor at the North Carolina Aquarium, volunteers his spare time rebuilding donated fishing gear. He then hands over the good-as-new rigs to area youth and adult groups. The refurbished equipment goes to groups like Big Buddy, Community Boys and Girls Club, the Brigade Boys and Girls Club, and St. Mary’s Social Ministry.

“I really like bringing old fishing gear back to life,” Rick says. “And if a fishing rod I reworked can make someone’s life a little happier, then that’s just great.”

Anyone wanting to donate a used rod and reel can drop the gear off at the Aquarium Visitors Service Desk between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. any day. Even an old tackle box is welcome, especially if it has some lures and tackle inside. Please ensure that the rod and reel is in somewhat workable order and has no missing parts.

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Report a water problem

The folks at Cape Fear River Watch are giving citizens an easy way to report water quality problems. They added a link on their website so you can report things that just don't seem right. Just go to the top right side of the page and click the "Report A Water Quality Problem" button and a form will allow you to describe what you have seen. If you want to remain anonymous that's fine.

Smell something funny while walking near Smith Creek?...Report it! Is the water in Burnt Mill Creek a weird color?... Report it! Are there dead fish in the river?...Report it! You get the idea. You can help make our river better.

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Volunteer at Earth Day

Help out at Wilmington Earth Day at Hugh MacRae Park on Saturday, April 30. The organization sponsoring this event is Wilmington's Earth Day Alliance, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting our planet through environmental education and awareness. This is a small group of volunteers who give freely of their time in order to make the organization — and the annual celebration — a success.

There are a lot of different volunteer opportunities with Wilmington's annual Earth Day Celebration. Whether you're available during the celebration itself — or a different day of the year — there's something for everyone. If you would like to get involved as a volunteer, contact the Alliance here. You can also participate in Wilmington's Earth Day Celebration as an exhibitor, a sponsor, or even just by attending. This is a great way to spend a day with family and friends. For more information on becoming an exhibitor or a sponsor, please contact Shannon Culpepper of the Earth Day Alliance.

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Help restore the Frying Pan Tower

You can contribute your time as a volunteer or your money/equipment to the efforts to restore Frying Pan Tower. It is being renovated to serve as a bed and breakfast, and all kinds of supplies and skills are needed. The Tower was operated by the Coast Guard as an aid to navigation until a few years ago, when GPS technology and buoys made the tower operation obsolete. Richard Neal - an entrepreneur from Charlotte - bought it at auction in 2010 and is enlisting help to keep costs down. The Tower will definitely be an unusual tourist attraction.

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Volunteer at the museum

Volunteers are needed at Cape Fear Museum to help with educational programs, management of the collections, store operations and customer service. In 2009, volunteers gave more than 5,000 hours of service to Cape Fear Museum, a value of more than $85,000.

The volunteer corps helps make Museum exhibits and programming possible.

Volunteer benefits include:
~ 10% discount in the Museum Store
~ Invitations to volunteer field trips
~ Subscription to the Museum newsletter Cape Fear Stories
~ Invitation to annual volunteer appreciation reception

For more information, or to volunteer, call 910.798.4366.

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Show your native spirit on Valentine's Day

Here's a novel idea. If you're in a relationship, or not, spend some time on Valentine's Day either alone or with your significant other showing your love for our beautiful area.

Go to the park, the beach or the river and pick up trash. Give our awesome habitat the gift of cleanliness; help restore its natural purity. Let's make it an annual tradition.

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Have an idea to improve commercial fishing?

The N.C. Fishery Resource Grant Program (FRG) encourages cooperative research among commercial fishers, recreational anglers, seafood businesses and university researchers. The first of its kind in the United States, the FRG program is designed to meet the needs of a new era of fisheries planning and management.

With declines in several major commercial fisheries species, along with increasing conflict concerning catch limits and the allocation of marine resources, innovative research is necessary to keep North Carolina's fishing industries viable. The FRG program is funded by the N.C. General Assembly and administered by North Carolina Sea Grant.

The four priority research areas are: * Fisheries Equipment & Gear * Environmental Pilot Studies * Aquaculture & Mariculture * Seafood Technology

Those thinking about submitting a proposal must first attend a workshop held in the fall of each year where applicants are given an introduction to the program, assistance in the development of research ideas, and help identifying possible collaborators.

Learn more about eligibility, proposal development and submission, or download an application for this program.

Here are past and current FRG reports and summaries.

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Volunteeer at Greenfield Lake Concessions (and enjoy free concerts!)

Cape Fear River Watch has an income earning opportunity for staffing concessions booths at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater events. Volunteers must attend a training session conducted by the City Parks & Recreation Department (dates TBA). They need 10-12 people to participate at 3 (or more) shows throughout the season. CFRW earns a percentage of the concessions sales during the events. No experience or CFRW membership required. If you’d like to go see some shows for free while helping CFRW, please contact Brooke Baldridge at 910-254-1342 or bbb27604@yahoo.com

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Help out at the Volunteer & Conscience Fair

Help NCCF recruit and engage volunteers in its regional initiatives by staffing our display on Saturday, Feb 5, 10 AM - 3 PM. NCCF will join more than 40 other non-profits hoping to enlist volunteers in their efforts. Please consider signing up for a 2-hour shift between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm. The display will have information about their regional projects and volunteer opportunities.

Please contact Ted if you would like to volunteer at the NCCF display.

The Fair will be held at the McKeithan Center at Cape Fear Community College’s North Campus, 4500 Blue Clay Road in New Hanover County.

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An Audubon gift helps local wildlife

Audubon offers a variety of different donation options.
You can become a monthly giver and receive uninterrupted service of Audubon magazine, quarterly updates of charges made, and an annual tax statement each January.

Other options include:
• Make a gift in honor or memory of someone special by using your credit card to make an instant contribution.
• See if your company has a workplace matching gifts program.
• Use iGive for your holiday shopping and designate Audubon North Carolina as the beneficiary of the percentage stores designate to charities.
• Consider naming Audubon North Carolina as a beneficiary of your estate in your will or through charitable gift annuities and other methods available through National Audubon Society.

Thank you for considering a special gift to Audubon this year. If you have any questions about contributions, please contact Development Director, Karen Fernandez, at kfernandez@audubon.org or 919.929.3899.

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Avoid fines for runoff pollution

Many residents may not realize the stiff fines a person can incur for allowing certain kinds of waste that can pose runoff problems for our waterways. For example, if you don't pick up your pet's waste on public property, you could receive a $250 fine. The same $250 fine could be applied for blowing yard waste into the street, storm drain or for not keeping drainage routes on the property free an clear of obstructions that could impede the flow of water. In fact, fines for allowing pollution to enter storm drains or our waterways could reach up to $10,000.

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Adopt a turtle at Bald Head Island

You can adopt a nest, a turtle or even name a turtle, all to benefit the Bald Head Island Conservancy.

Adopt-a-Nest - $150
Adoptive parent will receive:
- The initial nest certificate detailing the location of their nest, date laid, and expected hatch date
- A birth announcement once their nest hatches detailing the hatch date and success of their nest
- A small turtle figurine Nest hatch

Adopt-a-Turtle - $500
Adoptive parent will receive:
- An initial certificate with basic loggerhead turtle info and the tag #’s & carapace measurements of their turtle
- A certificate at the end of the season detailing how many nests this turtle laid during the season, the nest #’s and nesting success
- A small plush turtle from TC

Name-a -Turtle - $2,500
The individual/family will:
- Have the opportunity to name an identified individual turtle – the turtle will have this given name forever (or as long as we document her on BHI)
- Receive a certificate detailing the known history of this turtle (when she was tagged, tag info, & how many years she has been documented nesting on BHI) and a description (carapace measurements, etc)
- Be notified every year that their turtle returns to nest on BHI along with the number of nests laid during those years.
- Appear on the hatching page of BHIC’s website indicating every nest that she lays and the success of each nest
- Receive a large plush turtle from TC

To participate in these programs please go HERE or call the Conservancy at 910.457.0089 logger1

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