This document outlines conservation priorities and potential projects in the Cape Fear River Basin and coastal North Carolina. It identifies key threats to water quality and wildlife in the basin, including sedimentation, pollution, and invasive species. Research priorities are listed to improve understanding of aquatic species and monitor populations. Threats to marine and coastal habitats include beach erosion, artificial lighting, pollution, and fisheries bycatch. The document recommends protecting strategic habitat areas, enhancing habitats, improving water quality, and expanding cooperation between agencies. Potential conservation projects focus on priority habitats and species, including pollinators, colonial waterbirds, and coastal preserves.

1. CONSERVATION PRIORITIES
WILMINGTON, N.C.
Revised November 2015

2. Notes:

3. Table of Contents
Cape Fear River Basin .................................................................................................................... 1
Basin Water Quality Problems.................................................................................................... 1
Basin Research Priorities ............................................................................................................ 2
Marine and Estuarine Threats ......................................................................................................... 3
Marine and Estuarine Conservation Recommendations ............................................................. 5
Coastal Habitat Protection Plan ...................................................................................................... 6
Recommendations....................................................................................................................... 7
Potential Projects for Land, Water, and Wildlife Conservation ..................................................... 8
Pollinator Problem....................................................................................................................... 8
Colonial Waterbirds .................................................................................................................... 9
Stop Titan Action Network........................................................................................................ 10
NCWF Sound Solutions ............................................................................................................ 11
Green Swamp Preserve.............................................................................................................. 12
Masonboro Island Reserve........................................................................................................ 13
Longleaf Pine Conservation...................................................................................................... 13
Carolina Beach State Park......................................................................................................... 14
Wrightsville Beach Sea Turtle Project...................................................................................... 14
Holden Beach Turtle Watch Program ....................................................................................... 14
Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center ................................................... 14
Sunset Beach Turtle Watch Program ........................................................................................ 15
Caswell Beach Turtle Watch Program...................................................................................... 15
Network for Endangered Sea Turtles........................................................................................ 15
N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher ................................................................................................... 15

4. 1
Cape Fear River Basin
The following information can be found in the North Carolina Wildlife Action Plan
The Cape Fear River Basin is the largest river basin in North Carolina and has three distinct
regions; upper Cape Fear including the headwaters in the Piedmont, middle Cape Fear including
the fall line and Sandhill’s region, and lower Cape Fear including the coastal region, with
blackwater streams, peatlands, and swamps. The Cape Fear River flows across the Piedmont,
Sandhill and Coastal Plain regions before reaching Wilmington and entering the ocean. Most of
the headwaters flows directly through urbanized areas, which significantly impacts the basin,
water quality of the basin and estuarine areas along the coast that serve as fish nurseries.
Unfortunately, the area has suffered from
increased development in the last few decades.
More than half of the land cover in the basin is
still forested but the other half is used for
agriculture, urban areas and transportation. Most
pollution in the Cape Fear River is accrued as it
flows through cities and major development areas,
leaving Wilmington the last stop and the basin a
dumping ground for built up pollution. N.C.
Action Plan has listed Priority Aquatic Species of
the area, p. 366-367
Basin Water Quality Problems
According to the North Carolina Wildlife Action Plan, the Cape Fear River Basin has about 730
miles of waters affected by five main causes:
 Impairment from sediment, fecal coliform, ammonia, chlorides, low dissolved oxygen,
turbidity, nutrients, mercury, and other point- and non-point pollutants.
 Sedimentation from agriculture, forestry, construction, and stormwater discharge in
urbanized areas.
 Locks and dams causing blocked migration routes for diadromous and resident species,
reduced recolonization and dispersal potential, and unnatural flow regimes.
 Knowledge of aquatic species in area is inadequate and there is a poor understanding of
life history and habitat use of many species, knowledge that is critical for managing these
populations. Monitoring rare populations is difficult and there are few long term data
sets/monitoring sites.
 Invasive species (e.g., flathead catfish, red swamp crayfish) have become established in
the basin and continue to negatively impact native species populations.
Cape Fear River Basin

5. 2
Basin Research Priorities
Research is highly needed for species conservation of the basin. N.C. Action Plan, p. 368-369
 Inventory of distribution and status surveys are needed to
complete the distributional status of fish, mussels, crayfish,
and snails (listed in order of need)
o Fish: surveys for Cape Fear shiner and Carolina
redhorse
o Mussels: surveys for rare and listed species
 Taxonomic research should be done to support species
descriptions and diagnoses. Descriptions for known or
undescribed species are needed as well as investigations
aimed at resolving taxonomic or evolutionary status of
locally variable forms. Two main priorities are:
o To support genetic studies to improve understanding of the freshwater mussel
genus Elliptio
o To support species descriptions for undescribed taxa (Carolina redhorse)
 Research to facilitate appropriate conservation actions should focus on life history studies
of priority species and for taxa, which little information is known. Main priorities
include:
o To determine vulnerability of species across all taxa groups to threats such as
dams, pollutants and sedimentation.
o To study the potential effects of non-native species on native species.
 Long-term monitoring must be improved across species groups, habitats and management
actions. New monitoring plans must be developed in
coordination with existing monitoring efforts in order to
meet shared goals and objectives. Priorities include:
o Conduct long-term monitoring to identify
population trends of priority species
o Establish protocol, schedule and sites for long-
term population monitoring (collaborate with the
NC Division of Water Quality, NC Museum of
Natural Sciences, and the US Fish and Wildlife
Service)
o Conduct special purpose monitoring to assess performance of specific
conservation actions
o Assess the performance of stream restoration projects
o Assess the impacts of dam removal projects
o Determine distribution of non-native species (e.g., flathead catfish and introduced
crayfish)
Cape Fear Shiner
Carolina Redhorse

6. 3
Marine and Estuarine Threats
The successful conservation of marine species will require the mitigation of threats both within
North Carolina borders and beyond. Interstate and international partnerships and cooperation are
critical components of marine species conservation. Descriptions of the threats listed below were
taken from various marine species recovery plans that can be accessed here.
 Nesting threats (these threats primarily impact beach nesting sea turtles and birds)
o Beach erosion –results in partial or total loss of suitable nesting habitat, coastal
development and associated activities have accelerated erosion rates and
interrupted natural shoreline migration.
o Shoreline modifications – fortifications put in place as a result of shoreline
development (including sea wall, rip rap, groins, jetties) can accelerate erosion
rates and reduce available nesting habitat. Improperly placed drift fences can
impede nesting attempts and/or trap hatchlings or nesting female sea turtles.
o Beach nourishment – if nourishment occurs during nesting season direct impacts
can include burial of nests and nest disturbance; dissimilar sand sources can
impact site selection, digging behavior, incubation, and hatchling success. Beach
nourishment can also result in significant compaction or concretion of the beach.
o Artificial lighting – lighting associated with beachfront development
(condominiums, street lights, vehicles) can severely impact emerging hatchlings
by causing disorientation that drastically increases fatalities. Artificial lighting
causes hatchlings to head in the opposite
direction of the water, exposing themselves
to predators, entrapment in vegetation,
and/or vehicle strikes; adult nesting sea
turtles may abort nesting attempts at greater
frequencies near lighted areas.
o Beach cleaning – mechanical raking (using
heavy machinery) can compact or destroy
nests. Debris disposal near the dune line can
cover incubating clutches, entrap emergent
hatchlings and/or alter nest temperatures.
o Increased human presence – disturbance to
nesting sea turtles is the most critical threat
caused by human presence on beaches. Night-time human activity can cause
female turtles to abort nesting attempts.
o Recreational beach equipment (including vehicular driving) – beach chairs, tents
and other recreational equipment can directly impact nests (covering or disturbing
incubating nests) or indirectly cause disturbances causing female turtles to abort
nesting attempts. Vehicle use on beaches has similar effects as heavy machinery
used in beach cleaning efforts (compact or destroy nests, entrap nestlings), vehicle
lighting can also disorient hatchlings and adults .
o Exotic dune and beach vegetation – non-native vegetation such as sea oats and
dune grass can outcompete native vegetation; and can lead to erosion and
degradation of nesting habitat.
Beach cleaning with mechanical rake

7. 4
o Nest depredation – Predators like ghost crabs, raccoons, foxes, or fire ants are a
significant threat to eggs and hatchlings (both sea turtle and shorebirds),
especially with disorientation of emergent hatchlings by artificial lighting, which
increases their chances of becoming prey.
• Marine threats (these threats may impact sea turtles, fish species, and marine mammals)
o Vessel interactions (including collisions) – propeller and collision injuries are a
significant threat, especially to marine mammals and sea turtles. These types of
injuries are reported at higher frequencies in areas that
have heavy boating and vessel traffic.
o Oil and gas exploration – oil spills impact respiration,
blood chemistry and salt-gland function in sea turtles,
and spills in the vicinity of nesting beaches can place
nesting adults, eggs and/or hatchlings in significant
risk. Oil deposits on the ocean floor can reduce food
sources for all marine species and result in ingestion
of tar balls.
o Dredging – dredging can result in direct destruction
or degradation of habitat and/or incidental take of marine species. Channelization
of inshore and nearshore habitats can result in the disposal of dredge material on
beaches and shallow habitats, which impact nesting success or foraging grounds.
o Pollution – pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls and heavy metals have been
detected in marine species, though levels that result in adverse effects are difficult
to quantify.
o Fisheries – by-catch of marine organisms occur in a number of different fisheries
such as trawl, purse seine, hook and line, gill
net, pound net, long-line, and trap fisheries.
These interactions often lead to serious injury
or death. For the Fishing Line Recovery and
Recycling Program, click here.
o Power plant entrapment – saltwater cooling
intake systems at coastal power plants have
been reported to entrap marine species.
o Underwater explosions – use of underwater
explosives to remove abandoned oil platforms,
for military activities or for oil exploration can
result in injury or death to marine species in
the vicinity of the explosion.
o Entanglement – marine species can become entangled in a variety of materials
other than active fishing gear including steel or monofilament line, synthetic or
natural rope or discarded plastic material. This often resulting in injuries that can
lead to weakened sea life that are more susceptible to death by other factors or to
direct mortalities.
o Ingestion of marine debris – marine species may ingest a variety of potentially
harmful debris materials including plastic bags, balloons, Styrofoam, and tar balls.
Effects of debris ingestion can include obstructions of the gut, absorption of toxic
byproducts and reduced absorption of nutrients.
Tar ball
Sea turtle caught in fishing line

8. 5
o Poaching – illegal harvest of marine species has declined considerably since the
development and enforcement of protection regulations however, arrests are still
made for illegal capture and possession of marine species.
o Noise –impacts of noise from shipping, industrial, or military activities on the
communication, behavior and distribution of whales and other marine species
remains unknown but is suspected to be significant.
Marine and Estuarine Conservation Recommendations
The North Carolina Wildlife Action Plan makes several recommendations for the conservation of
marine mammals, fish and habitats. The following recommendations apply broadly to all efforts
towards marine mammal and fish conservation.
• Continue and expand cooperation between NOAA Fisheries and the appropriate state
agencies to facilitate marine species management, protection and research especially for
listed species.
• Support the implementation of Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs) to manage and
protect marine species.
• Support and assist in the attainment of the goals, objectives, strategies and performance
measures set forth in the NOAA Fisheries Strategic Plan (NOAA 2003).
• Support the recommendations put forth in the Coastal Habitat Protection Plan to promote
fisheries habitat protection in North Carolina and to facilitate the necessary policy
decisions.
Marine conservation needs relative to North Carolina include:
• Development of more precise population estimates for all marine taxa.
• Genetics research to further understand stock structure in North Carolina and beyond
(e.g., bottlenose dolphin and pilot whale).
• Examination of pollution effects on coastal and estuarine species.
• Coordination between NOAA Fisheries and NC Division of Marine Fisheries to look at
gear modifications to reduce dolphin by-catch in fisheries; SeaGrant Fisheries Resource
Grants and NOAA Fisheries support much of this work.
• Public education and other efforts to reduce discarded “ghost” fishing gear to help reduce
marine species entanglement; potential development of a fishing line recycling program
(potential to model from Florida’s existing monofilament recycling program).
• Improved communications and coordination with other NOAA offices, state and federal
marine resource agencies and universities to combat common threats and develop
efficient and effective conservation strategies for all marine species and their habitats.
• Continued cooperation with fisheries resource managers, commercial fisherman and
regulatory agencies to reduce by-catch and unintentional take of protected marine
resources (e.g., explore diamondback terrapin by-catch in crab pots).

9. 6
Coastal Habitat Protection Plan
Development of the Coastal Habitat Protection Plan (CHPP) was a provision of the 1997
Fisheries Reform Act. The CHPP was completed in 2004 and was adopted in 2005 by the three
regulatory commissions who oversee coastal and marine resources in the state (the
Environmental Management, Coastal Resources and Marine Fisheries
Commissions) to ensure a coordinated management approach. The CHPP
includes information on habitat descriptions, distribution, ecological role
and function for fish species, status and trends, threats and management
needs. The CHPP identifies recommendations to meet four goals for
protection of coastal fisheries habitat:
1. Improve effectiveness of existing rules and programs protecting coastal fisheries habitats
2. Identify, designate and protect all Strategic Habitat Areas
3. Enhance habitat and protect it from physical impacts
4. Enhance and protect water quality
During 2005, each commission will develop a Coastal Habitat Protection Implementation Plan,
which will use the threats, management needs and recommendations identified in the CHPP to
develop specific priorities, actions and measures of success.
We have relied on the CHPP to develop the following habitat sections. While the CHPP is not
focused on “species in greatest need of conservation,” it is the most comprehensive resource on
coastal and marine habitat protection available in the state and it provides critical direction for
protection of coastal and marine resources.
The discussions of the six major habitat types
demonstrate the importance of coastal fish
habitats, threats to those habitats and the need to
take actions to achieve the stated goal of the
CHPP as provided by the North Carolina General
Assembly: “long-term enhancement of coastal
fisheries associated with each coastal habitat.”
Management recommendations are based on
scientific studies cited in CHPP chapters 2–7,
deliberations of the Environmental Management,
Coastal Resources, Marine Fisheries
commissions, and citizen input (verbal comments
received in person or by telephone; written
comments received in person or via mail and e-mail) from two series of well attended public
meetings (20 in all) held during the summers of 2003 and 2004, as well as additional comments
obtained during the CHPP process.
The public cited coastal development as the issue most needing immediate attention, followed by
enforcement of existing statutes, rules and permit conditions, and then environmental education
and research. Threats associated with development included polluted storm water runoff,
wastewater discharges and wetland filling. Meeting attendees agreed that existing laws and rules
North Carolina Ocean Isle Beach

10. 7
might be sufficient for habitat protection, but that they are not adequately enforced largely due to
insufficient staffing and resources. Educating the public about the importance of coastal habitats
and the threats they face was repeatedly mentioned as being critical for successful habitat
protection and enhancement. View further details in the N. C. Wildlife Action Plan p. 442-458.
Recommendations
The CHPP development process identified hundreds of management needs (summarized in
Tables 5C.3–5C.8 in the N. C. Wildlife Action Plan). The members of the three Commissions
reviewed the issues along with suggested management actions to address those needs. The
Commissions selected four general goals listed below in no particular order.
 Improve Effectiveness of Existing Rules and Programs Protecting Coastal Fish Habitats
 Identify, Designate, and Protect Strategic Habitat Areas
 Enhance Habitat and Protect It from Physical Impacts
 Enhance and Protect Water Quality
View further details in the N. C. Wildlife Action Plan p. 459.

11. 8
Potential Projects for Land, Water, and Wildlife Conservation
NCWF works for land and water conservation whether it takes the form of public acquisitions of
game lands or support of wildlife habitat initiatives on private lands. Forest or field, public or
private, high country or cypress-ringed swamp—land is where conservation starts for wildlife.
Every acre matters, which is why NCWF's work on behalf of land stewardship encompasses
projects as diverse as landscape-scale planning for large public holdings and backyard habitat
improvements for homeowners. Conservation of all wildlife species in North Carolina ultimately
depends on habitat as the solution. Increasing public land and water conservation will remain a
top priority and this means investments. Advocating for robust and stable funding in North
Carolina’s Clean Water Management Trust Fund, Farmland Preservation Trust Fund and State
Park Trust Funds is at the top of the list for increasing conservation of wildlife habitat. In
addition, the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is the federal program to conserve
irreplaceable lands and improve outdoor recreation opportunities throughout the nation. The
program works in partnership with state and local efforts to acquire and protect inholdings and
expansions in our national parks, national wildlife refuges, national forests and national trails.
Pollinator Problem
Pollinators are crucial for the survival of many ecosystems. A variety of
animals serve as pollinators including bees, wasps, flies, moths, beetles,
birds, hummingbirds and bats. Several hundred thousand flowering
plants (North American crops included) depend on pollinators for
reproduction and the production of most fruits and vegetables. In 2009,
the attributed value of crops in the U.S. that were directly dependent on
insect pollination was estimated at $15 billion. Unfortunately, pollinator
populations, especially insects, have significantly declined in the last
few decades most likely due to habitat loss and destruction. More than
40 percent of honey bees in managed colonies died last year. This rapid
decline poses a huge threat to our food sources. The Washington Post
has more information on pollinators and National Geographic has an
article regarding honey bee decline.
The issue of pollinator decline and conservation has become a leading environmental concern for
President Obama. The June 2014 Presidential Memorandum, titled “Creating a Federal Strategy
to Promote the Health of Honey Bees and Other Pollinators” addresses four main themes central
to pollinator conservation. They are: “conducting research to understand, prevent, and recover
from pollinator losses; expanding public education programs and outreach; increasing and
improving pollinator habitat; and developing public-private partnerships across all these
activities.” The full Presidential Memorandum document can be viewed here. The White House
has also posted a blog about pollinator health, and at the bottom of the blog you can find official
documents that accompany the official report.
You can help make a difference for pollinators in your area by:
 Planting a wide variety of native plants that bloom from early spring into late fall
 Avoiding hybrid flowers (breeders often leave out pollen, nectar, and fragrance)
 Eliminating pesticide use
Honey bee gathering pollen

12. 9
 Planting a butterfly garden
 Building a bee box
 Adding a hummingbird or bird feeder
For more information on what you can do at home, click here. You can also find more
information about gardening for pollinators at National Wildlife Federation’s website here.
Colonial Waterbirds
Colonial waterbirds are birds that nest in colonies, which can consist of thousands of birds.
Twenty-five species of colonial waterbirds call North Carolina home, many of which can be
found in the coastal region of the state. These birds use a variety of nesting habitats ranging from
barrier island beaches to maritime forests and swamps. Each species is also adapted to a
particular plant community. Data from biological surveys in recent years have shown that
colonial waterbird populations are declining, especially beach nesters. These declines are most
likely caused by commercial development and increased nest
disturbance and predation by humans and dogs. In fact,
marshes and many nesting islands are being converted to
housing developments and private getaways.
In order to protect nesting habitats, the N.C. Wildlife
Resources Commission prohibits entry during breeding season
(April 1 to August 31) on 21 state-owned islands every year.
Signs are also posted to notify anglers, outdoor enthusiasts and
other users of the protected nesting areas. The Commission
also works closely with the United States Army Corps of
Engineers to create habitat for the colonial nesting birds using dredged material.
This material is used to stabilize existing islands and create new islands that and
be used as alternative nesting sites relatively free of human disturbance. For more information,
click here.
Some ways you can help these declining nesting birds include:
 Not entering posted nesting areas from April 1 through August 31
 Keeping dogs on a leash when on the beach
 Not leaving trash on the beach; garbage attracts predators and fishing line entangles and
kills bids and other wildlife
 Educating yourself about waterbird biology and identification
North Carolina Royal Terns

13. 10
Stop Titan Action Network (STAN)
If implemented, the proposed cement plant called Carolinas Cement Company could have a
devastating impact on the Carolina coasts, most significantly New Hanover County. It would
create one of the largest sources of pollution in the area for the next 50 years and be one of the
highest mercury-emitting facilities in New Hanover County. It would also:
Be a significant emitter of nitrogen dioxide, a
pollutant that contributes to smog, and sulfur dioxide,
a pollutant that contributes to acid rain
 Expose some 8,500 students to these pollutants,
which are known to cause asthma, as well as the
thousands of residents of New Hanover County
 Emit 200 tons of particulate matter each year, a substance that contributes to tens of
thousands of premature deaths annually from heart attacks, strokes, and asthma attacks
 Destroy over 1,000 acres of wetlands and wildlife habitat as well as potentially critically
harm surface and ground water in the Cape Fear River ecosystem
 Withdraw 16 million gallons of water per day from Castle Hayne and Pee Dee aquifers;
significantly increase NC’s carbon
dioxide emissions.
Stop Titan Action Network is a coalition of
seven organizations, thousands of citizens
and over a hundred small businesses that are
working together to oppose the proposed
Titan Cement project. The seven partner
organizations include:
 N.C. Coastal Federation
 Cape Fear River Watch
 Friends of the Lower Cape Fear
 Citizens Against Titan, Penderwatch
& Conservancy
 N.C. Chapter of the Sierra Club
 Southern Environmental Law Center
 Duke University’s Environmental Law & Policy Clinic.
Since the proposition in 2009, more than 350 local health providers, 15,000 community
members, countless business leaders, numerous environmental groups and UNCW
professors, and thousands of other citizens have shown opposition to the Titan Project.
The North Carolina House recently approved a bill that greatly threatens the State Environmental
Policy Act, or SEPA, by thwarting environmental reviews and the public’s right to provide input
and fiscal oversight of projects involving public money, public lands and impacts to our state.
For more information on STAN and how you can help, click here.
Carolinas Cement Company
C

14. 11
NCWF Sound Solutions
The Albemarle-Pamlico Sound contains 1.5 million of the 2.5 million acres of estuarine waters
along the North Carolina coast. This unique barrier island network has a vast inshore marine
ecosystem and makes up the second largest
sound on the East Coast, behind only
Chesapeake Bay. These sounds, rivers, creeks
and inlets that feed their surrounding wetlands
serve as critical nurseries for shellfish, finfish
and numerous terrestrial species including
endangered and threatened species. However,
North Carolina is becoming known for
ineffective policy, mismanagement and
unsustainable fishing practices. Increasing
pressures, including habitat loss and water
quality degradation, are threatening our
fisheries. Some of our most important fish are
already depleted. In 2014, NCWF embarked on
a campaign to reform marine resource
conservation. The Sound Solutions approach
involves three foundational tenets:
 Habitat - Strengthen protection of the
waters and habitats that make up NC’s
inner coast, as well as those that flow
into our sounds.
 Management – Impact change in the way NC’s marine fisheries and habitats are managed
and regulated.
 Gear – Influence changes to destructive fishing gear and unsustainable methods.
The goals of Sound Solutions are to safeguard against habitat loss, degradation of water quality
and loss of resources.
 Improve long-term health and balance of NC’s marine resources, habitat and fisheries.
 Impact changes in policy and regulations related to our marine life and habitat.
 Impact changes in the way our state’s fisheries are managed.
 Reduce the annual bycatch loss of fish in NC’s inshore waters.
Some tactics for accomplishing these goals include:
 Present public policy recommendations to the MFC addressing key issues contributing to
the damage and destruction of our marine resources and coastal habitats.
 Help promote and support implementation of sounds, science-based conservation and
management.
 Support responsible, sustainable fishing practices (recreational and commercial).
 Educate the public about the consequences of current, unsustainable practices and
methods.
Albemarle-Pamlico Sound
C

15. 12
Green Swamp Preserve
Owned and managed by the Nature Conservancy, the Green Swamp Preserve features open
longleaf pine savannas that had dominated southeastern NC and northeastern SC at one time.
Thanks to the Nature Conservancy and the Federal Paper Company 16,000 (and growing) acres
of this ecosystem have been preserved. The area is home to the American alligator, fox squirrel
and many rare plants including various species
of orchids and 14 known species of
carnivorous plants, the most famous being the
Venus flytrap.
Though not often thought of as beneficial, fire
is critical to the survival of the Green Swamp
and the longleaf pine savannas. Without fire
many native plants would disappear because
of the competition with faster-growing flora.
Longleaf pines in particular are dependent on
fires for their seed dispersal and to prevent
invasion of hardwoods. Fire once occurred
naturally and regularly in this area but in the
first half of the last century much emphasis
was placed on fire suppression, which promoted the transition from longleaf pine savanna to
mixed forest.
The mindset has since changed and the Nature Conservancy dedicated an entire program to
prescribed, controlled burning. Not only do controlled burns help the native plants and longleaf
pine savannas but they also reduce the “fuel” for wildfires brought on by the invasion of other
plants and hardwoods.
As a new NC Wildlife Federation chapter, there is potential for a partnership with the Nature
Conservancy to help conserve the Green Swamp ecosystem including longleaf pines and Venus
Flytraps.
North Carolina Green Swamp Preserve

16. 13
Masonboro Island Reserve
On the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ website the N.C. Coastal
Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve reports on the
unique ecosystem of Masonboro Island that needs continued
conservation. The habitats found within this area include subtidal
soft bottoms, tidal flats, hard surfaces, salt marshes, shrub thicket,
maritime forest, dredge spoil areas, grasslands, ocean beach and
sand dunes. Species listed as threatened that reside here include sea
amaranth, loggerhead and green sea turtles that nest on the beach.
There are several species of concern as well as watch-list species.
The area is also an important nursery area for many fish.
Masonboro Island is not a park but a reserve. The only access to
the island is by boat or ferry and primitive camping is allowed,
though visitors are reminded not to disturb or alter any vegetation
or wildlife. There is a Local Advisory Committee for Masonboro
Island that provides the Division of Coastal Management (DCM) with guidance and feedback
regarding management of the reserve site. The DCM staff works with staff and students of UNC-
Wilmington and with citizen volunteers to monitor turtle nests, marsh, sea birds and other
wildlife on the island.
In recent years non-native species, particularly the red fox, have become a threat to sea turtle
nests. Unfortunately, management of predators is costly and difficult and not always successful.
The DCM is considering possibilities to combat the predator problem but feel that its available
limited funds are best used to provide equipment and materials for monitoring programs to
ensure data collection efforts continue uninterrupted.
Longleaf Pine Conservation
According to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) of North Carolina, longleaf
Pine forests once covered millions of acres of the
southeastern U.S. Today, only a few thousand acres remain.
Longleaf pine habitat is home to many native species
including 300 different species of groundcover plants per
acre, 60 percent of amphibian and reptile species found in
the southeast and at least 122 endangered or threatened plant
and animal species. The NRCS launched the Longleaf Pine
Initiative to provide nine states with financial assistance for
implementing conservation practices including:
 Planting longleaf pine
 Installing firebreaks
 Conducting prescribed burning
 Controlling invasive plants.
The application form for the Longleaf Pine Initiative can be found on the NCRS website and
more information about the NC Longleaf Coalition can be found here. Other longleaf
conservation organizations include America’s Longleaf, North Carolina Prescribed Fire Council
and The Longleaf Alliance.
Coastline from Masonboro
Reserve
Prescribed burning of Longleaf Pines

17. 14
Carolina Beach State Park
Carolina Beach State Park is home to a very unique, diverse ecosystem. Within the park there are
longleaf pine forests, sand dunes, shrub swamps (pocosins), brackish marshes and three limesink
ponds each vegetated with its own unique plant community. One with a dwarf Cyprus swamp
forest, one dominated by water lilies and the third that dries out every year and is filled with
aquatic sedges and carnivorous plants. There are many animal species, especially birds, which
thrive in this coastal environment. Carolina Beach State Park is located along the Atlantic
Flyway, an important migration route for many birds along the Atlantic coast. Additionally, there
are many species of amphibians and reptiles that thrive here along with many southern coastal
plain mammals including white-tailed deer, fox, grey squirrels, raccoons, opossums and river
otters.
Carolina Beach State Park currently has three environmental initiatives:
 Exotic Species Management
 Prescribed Fire Program
 Inventory of Natural Resources Needs
Wrightsville Beach Sea Turtle Project
The mission of the Wrightsville Beach Sea Turtle Project is to facilitate and promote
the protection and preservation of sea turtle populations and habitats
by implementing conservation and protection measures through
action, education and collaboration with visitors, residents,
landowners, businesses, government agencies and other non-
government and conservation organizations.
Wrightsville Beach Turtle Talks hosts a free meeting every Tuesday
evening at 7:00 PM June-August at NC Coastal Federation’s building
to discuss various sea turtle issues.
Holden Beach Turtle Watch Program
This program is a nonprofit conservation organization run by volunteers and operated under the
NC Wildlife Resources Commission to monitor and protect the sea turtle population. Their
Turtle Talk program hosts a free meeting every Wednesday from June-August at 7:00 PM at the
Holden Beach Town Hall to discuss and educate the public about sea turtle conservation. The
organization is active for the entire sea turtle season from May 1st
to October 31st
. Visit their
website for more information.
Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center
The center is located on Topsail Island and
is committed to the care and release of sick
and injured sea turtles. This nonprofit
organization is staffed by volunteers. They
have a satellite tracking program, a nesting
program and an adopt-a-sea-turtle program. Visit their website for more information.

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Sunset Beach Turtle Watch Program
This program (SSBTWP) is another nonprofit sea turtle conservation organization run by
volunteers to help monitor nesting activity at Sunset Beach, N.C. Every Sunday evening their
free informational program called Turtle Time takes place at 7:00 PM in the Sunset Properties
Parking Lot starting in June. In addition to monitoring sea turtle nesting, SSBTWP also monitors
beach nesting birds. Visit their website for more information.
Caswell Beach Turtle Watch Program
Another volunteer-only nonprofit sea turtle conservation organization, Caswell Beach Turtle
Watch, is committed to protecting sea turtles and their nests. Volunteers ride the beach every
morning and evening from May- September to monitor turtle behavior, nesting and hatchling
activity. Visit their website for more information.
Network for Endangered Sea Turtles
N.E.S.T is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and
protection of habitats and migration routes of sea turtles and other marine
animals of the outer banks of N.C. Volunteers are always needed for turtle
projects. Visit their website for more information.
N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher
The aquarium makes educating the public about the waters of Cape Fear
River a priority. Located right near Carolina Beach, visitors can see albino
alligators and get the opportunity to feel local sharks in a specially designed
touch tank. The aquarium focuses on educating the public about endangered
marine species and has plans to incorporate ten new endangered species in
the next ten years. For more information about the aquarium, visit their
website.