North Carolina Reserve
State
North Carolina
State Partner
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management
Acres
10,568
Est. Date
1985
The North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve protects more than 10,000 acres of coastal land and is an oasis to many diverse species of fish and birds, including osprey, black skimmers, summer flounder, spotted sea trout, red drum, and least tern. The Reserve’s four sites also support research, education, and stewardship to protect estuarine ecosystems, improve water quality, and make both the ecosystems and communities along North Carolina’s coastlines more resilient to coastal hazards.
Did You Know…
Citizen scientists help remove an average of 2,000 pounds of marine debris from the Reserve’s Rachel Carson site each year.
Latest News from the North Carolina Reserve
Talk NERRdy to Me: Rebecca Ellin
NERRA’s interstate investigator Nik Charov spoke with Rebecca Ellin, Manager at the North Carolina Reserve. They talked about reloading National Hurricane Center forecasts, bicoastal curiosity, and staying young while getting old.
Making Way for Wetlands
Wetlands around the country are increasingly threatened by rising seas, stronger storms, more extreme precipitation, and drought. Planning to protect these precious resources while addressing the needs of communities …
Day in the Life of A Reserve Scientist
Byron Toothman did not expect to work for the North Carolina Reserve as a research biologist for this long. “I’m 16 years in, and I didn’t know I could love a job this much,” he says.