Topics Related to Coastal Reserve

Buxton Woods Reserve closed to visitors due to risks to public safety from storm impacts

The Buxton Woods Reserve site of the North Carolina Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve will close to visitors beginning Aug. 19 at 8 a.m. until further notice due to the threat of damage from Hurricane Erin, and to protect public safety from the potential risk of downed trees, flooding and other hazards.

State coastal commission to meet in New Bern Aug. 27-28

The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) will meet Aug. 27 and Aug. 28 at the Tryon Palace - History Center, 529 S. Front St., New Bern. The regular business meeting of the CRC will be called to order at 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 27 and will resume at 9 a.m. on Aug. 28. A public input and comment period is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on Aug. 27. At the chair’s discretion, comments may be limited to 3 minutes per person. The public may attend the CRC meeting in person or join online.

Summer 2025 N.C. Coastal Reserve Interns

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!

Sustainable Development 101: Educators Learn Through Interactive Games

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.  

The Marsh’s Sweet Spot: The elevation where marshes are the most productive

Read part 1 here.

Teachers on the Estuary

Playing games? Learning about science? And receiving a stipend for it? That’s what 13 North Carolina teachers got to do for two days in June at the Rachel Carson Reserve in Beaufort, N.C.  

2025 Summer Intern Welcome

Please join us in welcoming our 2025 summer interns!

Visitors advised to keep distance from wild horses

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management is warning the public about how they can help reduce the risk to the most vulnerable residents of Rachel Carson Reserve. On Saturday, May 10, a 6-day-old wild horse, or foal, a resident of the Rachel Carson Reserve in Beaufort, was separated from its mother for hours following disturbance by humans on foot and boats. Several days later, a visitor approached the foal and its social group to coax the foal closer. Visitors are advised that these actions may result in legal consequences. *image available for download

NCDEQ Secretary, local and state representatives tour Masonboro Island Reserve on N.C. Coastal Reserve’s “Discover the N.C. Coastal Reserve” tour

The N.C. Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve, a program of the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management, hosted its fourth stop on the “Discover the N.C.

Rachel Carson Reserve Field Trip - Nature Hike

Trip Information

  • Nature hikes occur during low tides. Closed-toed shoes are required, your feet may get wet and muddy, and we suggest bringing sunglasses, hats, binoculars, water, and sunscreen. Children must be at least 4 years-old to participate.