Topics Related to Tidal Flat

Probably not. The N.C. Coastal Reserve’s research biologist, Dr. Byron Toothman, identifies this phenomenon from data collected via a sonde, a water quality measurement instrument. Toothman manages all of the System-Wide Monitoring Program (SWMP) stations around Masonboro Island Reserve, including a new station located on UNCW’s Center for Marine Sciences dock.  

Each year, North Carolina Sea Grant and the North Carolina Coastal Reserve & National Estuarine Research Reserve team up to award a North Carolina graduate student the Coastal Research Fellowship. Sam Holberg, a doctoral student in biological and agricultural engineering at N.C. State University, wrapped up his fellowship in June 2026 and shared his research and experience with us.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The following article was written by a University of North Carolina Wilmington undergraduate student and reflects the author’s independent perspective and experience with the Terrapin Tally project. We are pleased to share this piece in support of the author’s experience with the project, student science communication, and coastal education. 

Today, we are celebrating the incredible impact of Lori Davis as she reaches an amazing milestone of 25 years of service with the state of North Carolina.

“Ms. Lori,” as she is called by most, strives to live by this quote from Rachel Carson: “If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder without any such gift from the fairies, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in.”

Hugs, handshakes, and smiles filled the auditorium of the NOAA Beaufort Laboratory in early December as we welcomed Training and Engagement (TE) Coordinators – from across the National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) – to the NC Reserve in Beaufort for their annual meeting. All 30 NERRs have a TE Coordinator, and this gathering was a chance to connect, learn, and strengthen their collective work.  

We're wrapping up an incredible year of research, education, training, and stewardship at our 10 North Carolina Coastal Reserve & National Estuarine Research Reserve sites.<

Interns in our Northern, Central, and Southern offices completed their internships this month. We asked them to reflect on their summer experiences. Keep reading to hear how their internship experiences shaped them, they've got some great stories to share!

The afternoon on the second day of our Teachers on the Estuary workshop involved games and candy money. Our Training Coordinator, Whitney Jenkins, brought out her favorite game to teach folks about watershed management.